‘Farm radio will do Nigerian farmers more good’

Recent studies by Farm Radio International’s Africa Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI), a project to test the viability of using radio as a tool for spreading agricultural information to farmers throughout Africa, stressed that radio has the best potentials to reach millions of smallholder farmers across different regions.According to Molly Theobald of the Nourishing the […]

Recent studies by Farm Radio International’s Africa Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI), a project to test the viability of using radio as a tool for spreading agricultural information to farmers throughout Africa, stressed that radio has the best potentials to reach millions of smallholder farmers across different regions.
According to Molly Theobald of the Nourishing the Planet, an online agricultural platform, Farm Radio International which is a Canadian-based farm broadcaster, has partnered broadcasters from over 300 radio stations in over 39 sub-Saharan African countries.
He said the station’s programmes reach an audience of over 600 million people speaking more than 300 languages, providing listeners with valuable information that is increasing harvest yields and improving livelihoods.
“In Mali, where the soil is often dry and eroded, AFRRI is taking advantage of radio’s popularity by working with local leaders and extension officers to present radio programs that can help farmers improve soil quality,” Theobald said.
Over 70% of Nigeria’s estimated 177 million people are smallholder farmers living in rural communities without access to electricity, water and good extension services. But substantial numbers use their radio for current information around them.
Some farmers and experts who spoke with the reporter explained that a dedicated radio network with information on farming will help them improve their farm yield.