Radio to Improve Production and Marketing for Farmers in Need

This project helps one million small-scale farmers raise their incomes and feed their families. Small-scale African farmers are among the most vulnerable to hunger. Many factors contribute to this problem but an important part of the solution is to share knowledge of how to derive more benefits from agriculture. This is achieved through radio programs produced by community radio stations with the participation of farmers and expert partners. By choosing the right planting materials harvesting at the right time processing and storing produce carefully and negotiating with different buyers the farmers are able to gain more from their activities. The capacities of ten radio stations are enhanced to create programs appealing to the farmers while sharing information that produces the most impact. Organizations involved in linking producers and buyers and national sector specialists help create relevant programs. The local partner for the project is Farm Radio Malawi.

The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: improved skills and knowledge for achieving impactful farm radio programming; preferred listening times formats and gender sensitive content will be established in each of the four countries; 600 hours of participatory radio campaigns related to production and management of groundnuts (peanuts) poultry aquaculture and cassava will be implemented; 400 hours of radio time and information and communication technologies will be dedicated to the added value and marketing of groundnuts poultry aquaculture and cassava.