AgroPages-Bayer launches farmer helpline for providing agri-expert advice in India-Agricultural news

Bayer launches farmer helpline for providing agri-expert advice in India

Bayer CropScience launched a national helpline for farmers to provide farmers across India with free technical advisory, crop related advice and information on Bayer’s crop protection products. Farmers can place a toll free call on Bayer CropScience’s helpline number from both landline and mobile phones. The number will also be printed on all product packs and packaging materials of Bayer CropScience. Calls will be answered by local agri-experts from four call centers located in Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking at the launch event, Joerg Rehbein, Head of Bayer CropScience, Indian Subcontinent, said, “Farmers face a diverse set of issues – be it unpredictable weather, pest infestations, plant diseases, increased resistances or changing market trends. To ensure a stable income for themselves, farmers also need to meet high quality demands. Bayer CropScience wants to help farmers increase their agricultural productivity by actively promoting information and giving advisory tailored to local needs. We intend do this through various channels such as: our highly experienced team of field officers, our strong network of trade partners, the Bayer Solutions stores and our newly established national helpline.”

The helpline was activated in September and a month-long pilot phase was carried out to streamline operations before the official launch today. All conversations and queries from the helpline will be recorded and monitored by Bayer agri-experts to ensure that correct and quality information is provided to farmers.

Apart from receiving inbound calls, the call centre will reach out to farmers registered on Bayer CropScience’s database and provide information on products useful to tackle common pests and diseases in specific crops. Farmers will also be given the option to ask for a Field Officer visit at their farms, if required.