In the News
Media Release
October 4, 2007
Gates Foundation Funds Canadian Led African Radio Research Project African Farm Radio Research Initiative Launches with International Symposium
Ottawa, Ontario, October 4, 2007 – Wireless phones, MP3 players and high speed Internet may be the norm for information sharing in North American, but radio is king in Africa, particularly for the continent’s millions of rural farmers.
A Canadian-led research project aims to find out just how powerful radio can be and how African radio broadcasters can have the biggest possible impact on the food security of listening farmers.
Backed by a US$4 million, 42-month grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN), in partnership with World University Services Canada (WUSC), is kicking off the African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) with an international symposium to be held October 15th and 16th.
“DCFRN has been working with rural broadcasters worldwide for over 25 years, providing practical information about farming by developing and distributing scripts about crops, land management, health and other subjects,” said Doug Ward, president, DCFRN. “We know radio is a powerful medium and that our strategy of information sharing is a good one, but we’ve always wanted to dig deeper. Now we have the ability to do so.”
This study is unique in that the research is applied and will have direct input back into African communities. Concurrent with this study, training will be offered to African broadcasters to build their capacity to serve farmers.
“DCFRN has the grassroots connections with African radio broadcasters and the knowledge of the practical information needs of smallholder farmers. WUSC has strong management capacity and a commitment to knowledge and education,” said Dr. Roy Steiner, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We are happy for this opportunity to support DCFRN and WUSC in implementing this important project.”
How do African farmers use the information they hear? What information is useful? What format is best? How can radio stations make use of inexpensive, accessible technologies such as mobile phones and MP3 players? These are some of the questions AFRRI will address in its research – the objectives of which will be reviewed over two days at the AFRRI International Symposium which brings together an international panel of experts in communication for development, radio broadcasting, agriculture and other disciplines.
AFRRI will be implemented in five countries – Mali, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda and Tanzania. In each country, advisory committees representing farmers’ organizations, radio stations, research organizations, government extension agencies and others will work together to develop action research plans. Radio stations will work with farmers to produce and broadcast a variety of programs, allowing AFRRI to compare their knowledge and farming practices.
About WUSC
WUSC (www.wusc.ca), a network of people and post-secondary institutions, is one of Canada’s largest international development charities. Its mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Active on over 70 campuses across Canada and in 17 countries overseas, WUSC has been engaging Canadians and improving lives for over six decades. Its alumni include leaders in the public, private and voluntary sectors in Canada and around the world.
About DCFRN
Founded in 1979, DCFRN (www.farmradio.org) is a Canadian charity with the mission of supporting broadcasters to strengthen small-scale farming and rural communities in Africa. DCFRN researches and produces radio scripts on rural development issues and distributes them to some 300 radio broadcasters who interpret and use the scripts to provide their listeners with practical information about farming, land management, health and other issues. DCFRN also provides training opportunities, facilitating networking among and between broadcasters. In 2004, WUSC and DCFRN entered into a partnership. WUSC provides cost-effective program management services to DCFRN, and the two organizations work together to develop collaborate programs in Africa.
For more information or to arrange an interview with a DCFRN representative, please contact: Kevin Perkins Executive Director 613-761-3658 kperkins@famradio.org
Brenda Jackson 613-761-3646 brenda@farmradio.org
