30th Anniversary Testimonials: What Supporters and Partners Say

Happy 30th! Farm Radio International has always appealed to me because it combines three passions of mine: journalism, broadcasting and giving something back. I’m so glad that George Atkins signed me up as a volunteer supporter when he did. As a journalist, I appreciate the critcial importance of Farm Radio International’s services for African broadcasters. Keep up the great work!

Lloyd Robertson, Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor, CTV News. Farm Radio International spokesperson and support.

Congratulations for your support to smallholder farmers for thirty years. During my trips to Africa more than fifteen years ago I found radio stations that valued your practical scripts very highly -- and I have been a supporter and a donor ever since.

The Honourable Flora McDonald

30 years! As one who was present when George Atkins first recognised the need for such a service to assist rural broadcasters in Africa and Asia, I salute him for his vision and tireless travel over many years to achieve a very worthwhile dream. Over the years, he and his colleagues have developed a much-valued resource for countless rural radio professionals, helping to keep practical information and inspiration flowing through radio to those on the ground, who ultimately help feed the nation. Congratulations and good wishes for the future to George and your successors.

Michael Pickstock, Founder WRENmedia and former Editor BBC World Service "The Farming World"

As the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, now known as Farm Radio International celebrates its 30 anniversary, I can only say “Congratulations for all the achievements in 30 years and Happy Birthday”. I am really proud to have joined the network as an affiliate member and contributor over 25 years ago, especially as my work expanded with the growth of the network. Belonging to Developing Countries Farm Radio Network was seen as a give and take arrangement with positive exchanges and information sharing. Apart from contributing from Cameroon, I assisted staff members of the network who visited Cameroon and other Central Africa region countries with the collection of materials for compiling the radio programs put on radio cassettes when the initiative just started. I was nominated for the George Atkins Communication Award and got it in 1996.

Due to the commitment to serve the communities with the techniques learnt through Farm Radio International, I was exposed to many international networks in various special fields useful to the development of my country. I later on understood, that more impact was got through specialisation and decided to take health and environmental development as the special target of Cameroon Link.

Specialisation and hard work paid, as I am today the triple leader of groups at various levels starting from my own country: Executive Director of Cameroon Link, President of the Federation of Cameroon Breastfeeding Promotion Associations, FECABPA and the International Coordinator of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s (WABA) Men’s Initiative.

At all these levels, I have used the skills learnt through my involvement with Farm Radio International to expand my work. Working and sharing with Farm Radio International is another way of learning about the world we live in.

Once again, Happy Birthday to all connected to Farm Radio International!

James Achanyi-Fontem
Director of Publications, Cameroon Link
Cameroon

FROM THE TRANSKEI LAND SERVICE ORGANISATION (TRALSO)

The Board, management, staff and the rural communities serviced by the Transkei Land Service Organisation (TRALSO) salute Farm Radio International (formerly Developing Countries Radio Network (DCFRN)) on your 30th anniversary. As you celebrate your 30th anniversary, we share your commitment and passion to improving the lives of the poor resourced rural communities around the world whose livelihoods through your continued information dissemination. TRALSO applauds the contributions FRI has made to help strengthen the experience and knowledge base of community broadcasters, community development facilitators and agricultural extension workers.

Having been an active member of FRI for the last ten (10) years, it is with great pleasure that we extend our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your 30th Anniversary. Farm Radio International (FRI) boasts a long and proud history of equipping radio, broadcasters, community field practitioners and development workers throughout our the world with not only knowledge but also information necessary to contribute positively to addressing the socio-economic ills affecting farming families around the world. With the information we have received from FRI scripts, we have managed to reach out more than 6000 rural farming households with useful information and tips on food production, climate change, nutrition and health as well as for sustaining their livelihoods in general.

We are confident that this tradition you have endeavoured for the past three decades will continue for years to come and we would like to wish you more success. As you honour the past and build the future, let us continue to make one of the basic fundamental human rights -– the right to education through information, a reality. TRALSO believes that together, we can make the dream of building economically vibrant and healthy rural communities a reality. We send you our heartfelt congratulations for the first 30 years and great success for the next coming years.

TRALSO encourages you to continue your mission to inform development practitioners and community radio broadcasters so that they will be well informed and aware of current issues affecting poor resourced farming families. Through your work and support, TRALSO field staff is better equipped and informed to service the rural poor more effectively and efficiently.

From the Board, Management, Staff and the communities serviced by TRANSKEI LAND SERVICE ORGANISATION (Eastern Cape, South Africa).