Issue #20

Hello to all!

This week, we extend a warm welcome to seven new African subscribers. Isabelle Dos Reis from Via Campesina Afrique is our first subscriber from Mozambique! We also welcome George Kalungwe from Zodiak Broadcasting Station in Malawi, Akinola Samuel Olotu from New Farmers’ World in Nigeria, Grace Nabireka from Radio Sapientia in Uganda, Alain Lejeune-Mengwang from Association Sahel Vert in Mali, Mary Wairimu from Pledge Action International in Kenya, and Guébré Adama from BurkinFarm in Burkina Faso.

We hope that this week’s news stories will inspire you and the farmers in your listening audience. Lilianne Nyatcha, our correspondent in Douala, Cameroon, tells us the story of an organic farmer who realized his dream – an abundant variety of fruit trees spread across 150 hectares. We also bring you the story of oyster farmers in Namibia who decided that, although they can’t prevent natural catastrophes, they will do their best to prepare for them. For those that have been following the story of how Kenyan agriculture was affected by post-election violence, we have an update, as the government has announced a plan to support farmers.

And did you know that World Press Freedom Day is just around the corner, on May 3? Below, you’ll find resources to help you learn about the day, and perhaps reflect upon what press freedom means to you. Lastly, you won’t want to miss a profile of Dzimwe Community Radio in Malawi, a station dedicated to enhancing communication among rural communities.

We hope that the stories and resources in this week’s FRW spark your interest and imagination. If so, please take a moment to visit FRW’s website (http://farmradio.org/english/weekly/) to share your thoughts with our growing community of rural radio organizations and rural radio supporters.

Happy reading!

-The Farm Radio Weekly Team

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African Farm News in Review

1. Patience for organic farming pays off (By Lilianne Nyatcha, for Farm Radio Weekly, in Douala, Cameroon)

2. Namibia: Oyster farmers fight red tide (The Namibian, New Era

3. Kenya: Government to distribute inputs to farmers affected by post-election violence (Agence France-Presse)

Upcoming Events

-May 2-3: World Press Freedom Day 2008 Conference in Mozambique

Radio Resource Bank

-Survey of press legislation of Africa

Farm Radio Action

-Dzimwe Community Radio produces programs for farmers and fishers

Farm Radio Script of the Week

-Farmers can earn income producing compost

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On Jean Pierre Imele’s 150 hectares of land in Cameroon’s Littoral province, the variety of plants is impressive. Mango, banana, and avocado trees seem to spread endlessly into the distance.

It’s been 20 years since this agro-meteorologist and organic agronomist decided to focus exclusively on organic farming. He said his decision was ideological. He saw the potential of organic agriculture to promote development free from reliance on the agro-chemical industry.

Getting started wasn’t easy. Mr. Imele recalls that he was discouraged at first. He recruited small-scale farmers to work with him, but it took time to convince them of the value of organic agriculture and train them in organic techniques. The concept of preventative soil and plant care, which is key to eliminating the need for chemicals, was new to the group. It took three months for the first crops to emerge.

In time, the group’s perseverance paid off. Mr. Imele now works with more than 30 small-scale farmers, training them and purchasing their produce. Jean Marie Tsop is one of the collaborators. He was unsure of the organic approach at first, but soon found it to be cost effective. Mr. Tsop says he can produce more on his single hectare of land using organic techniques than he ever could when he used chemicals.

Mr. Imele and his collaborators now produce between 600 and 800 tones of fruit each year – from pineapple and passion fruit to aloe vera and avocado. About half of the crop is exported. Whole fruit goes to Europe, and fruit jam goes to the United States, Japan, and Australia. These foreign markets have exacting standards for organic products. Each year, European evaluators visit Mr. Imele’s farm before delivering organic certification. This certification is essential to exporting organic produce.

The fruit that is not exported whole or as jam is processed into juice. Some of the juice makes its way to Europe, and the rest is sold at Mr. Imele’s shop on the outskirts of Douala, Bio Nature. Mr. Imele says many of his clients have health problems, such as high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes. But the one thing they all share is an understanding of the environmental and health benefits of organic produce.

As for those who say that organic produce is too expensive for small markets, Mr. Imele says this idea is outdated. He says his organic production process makes use of everything – even waste –keeping costs low. According to him, this makes organic produce profitable to grow and affordable to buy.

In Cameroon, there is no legal framework to regulate the organic sector, so organic farmers follow international standards. Mr. Imele hopes this void will soon be filled – especially for the benefit of the thirty-some independent producers that he manages. His dream for the future is a network of Cameroonian schools that would teach organic agriculture.

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Every so often, conditions are right for a red tide. In Walvis Bay Lagoon on the Namibian coast, a warm ocean current can bring about the phenomenon. The heat causes algae to multiply rapidly, blooming in such abundance that the water appears red. It’s a sight that no fisher wants to see.

Too much algae sucks the oxygen out of water. When the plants die, they leave behind natural toxins. Lack of oxygen and high levels of toxins can devastate fish populations. This March, a red tide killed some 70 per cent of the oysters in Walvis Bay Lagoon. Oyster farmers were unable to save their stock, which they grow in underwater cages.

This year’s red tide was the third since 2005. Previous red tides occurred in June 2006 and December 2005, but oyster farmers say this year’s was the worst they’ve ever seen. The farmers say they will be better prepared next time.

In wake of the most recent red tide, farmers and other stakeholders in the oyster industry met to discuss ways to reduce losses. They called upon two oyster ecology researchers from the United States to help prepare a strategy.

They learned that their oysters died because they were very fragile, and that they could “toughen up” the oysters by exposing them to conditions that mimic the red tide. For example, since the red tide reduces oxygen levels in the water, farmers can condition oysters by pulling them out of the water for a couple of hours each day. Some oyster farmers speculated that a device to rotate the caged oysters in and out of the water could do the trick.

Farmers also learned that they should note which kinds of oysters withstood the harsh red tide conditions this year, and breed more of these kind. When the next red tide comes, both the oysters and the farmers should be better able to cope. Farmers now know to anticipate blooming algae when water temperatures rise. They also know the depth of water in which they should house oysters at during a red tide.

An oyster farmer quoted in a Namibian newspaper said that while they can’t control nature, farmers want to be able to control their losses. In case their efforts fail, the oyster farmers also talked about securing insurance.

Oyster farming is a small but growing industry in Namibia. Several hundred farmers produce oysters in Walvis Bay Lagoon. Last year, 35 million Namibian dollars (about 4.6 million American dollars or 2.9 million Euros) worth of oysters were exported to markets such as South Africa and Singapore.

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Kenyan farmers forced to abandon their fields due to post-election violence will soon get help re-establishing their crops.The Kenyan government has announced that it will spend 1.7 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately 27 million American dollars or 17 million Euros) to provide these farmers with seeds and fertilizer.

Government funds will be given to the National Cereals and Produce Board. The board will purchase seeds and fertilizer and distribute them to farmers for free.

In the weeks following the country’s election, more than 1,000 people were killed and some 300,000 were forced to flee their homes. The Rift Valley province, known as Kenya’s breadbasket, was hit hard. Farmers were unable to harvest maize or plant new crops.

Even after peace returned, some farmers expressed reluctance to purchase seeds and fertilizer, as the cost of these inputs has risen sharply and rainfall patterns are uncertain. They feared that they would not earn a return on their investment. The government program should ease these financial concerns.

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This story raises an important distinction between two types of organic farming – certified and non-certified. A large number of African farmers use traditional organic techniques to fertilize their crops and protect them from pests. They may not want or need to use chemical inputs, or they may not have access to them. Most of these farmers have non-certified organic farms.

Farmers who wish to access the expanding market for organically-grown food usually have to take the additional step of obtaining certification. As Jean Pierre Imele explains, receiving certification from the European Union requires adherence to exacting standards and compliance with regular inspections. Meeting these requirements is financially worthwhile for Mr. Imele and the farmers he trained.

You may wish to research and broadcast a story about organic farming techniques practiced in your area:
-What methods of organically improving soil fertility do farmers find most effective?
-What organic methods of pest control do they find most effective?
-Have any farmers or farmers groups developed or tried a new organic farming technique? Would they recommend it to other farmers?
-Do extension officers or NGOs in the area promote organic practices? If so, what are their best tips for local farmers?
-Are their any certified organic farms in your area? What steps did the farmer or farmers take to obtain this certification? What expenses were involved? Where do they sell their produce? What impact has organic certification had on their profit margin?

You may also consider broadcasting one of the following scripts about organic farming techniques:

-“Farmers can earn income producing compost” (Package 80, Script 3, March 2007)

-“Kenyan farmer uses organic farming practices” (Package 75, Script 7, June 2005)

-“A fertility trench holds water in drylands” (Package 44, Script 1, April 1997)

-“Where to find compost materials” (Package 33, Script 9, July 1994)

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When selecting stories for FRW, we always look for those that may provide useful information, or inspiration, to a wide range of small-scale farmers. Oyster farming is a type of aquaculture practiced in special coastal environments, like Namibia’s Walvis Bay Lagoon, where salt water and fresh water mix. It is a niche crop, growing in popularity as the Namibian government promotes it as a source of local employment and an export commodity. But even more interesting than the practice itself is the response of oyster farmers to the red tide that can devastate their crops. While all farmers face the threat of varying natural disasters, some are more prepared than others. We hope that farmers in your listening audience are inspired by the proactive approach taken by Namibia’s oyster farmers.

Farm Radio International has several scripts that discuss ways farmers can prevent, mitigate, or cope with natural disasters:

-“Farmers have important knowledge about weather and environmental change – Part I – learning about local signs of drought” (Package 75, Script 5, June 2005)

-“Farmers have important knowledge about weather and environmental change – Part II –preparing for drought” (Package 75, Script 6, June 2005)

-“Communities manage watersheds together” (Package 64, Script 5, July 2002)

-“Your community group can help in times of disaster” (Package 64, Script 8, July 2002)

-“Disaster prevention, mitigation, and recovery: story ideas for the radio” (Package 64, Script 10, July 2002)

-“A local farmer predicts floods” (Package 60, Script 3, July 2001):

You can encourage dialogue on disaster preparedness by producing a radio show that discusses a recent disaster in your area, or a type of disaster that threatens your area periodically:
-Invite a panel of experts, such as farmers, extension workers, and representatives from NGOs that specialize in emergency preparedness, to discuss the disaster or threat on the air. Ask about the vulnerability of crops and livestock to these disasters, and the ways that farmers can reduce vulnerability. Discuss steps to stay safe and protect livelihoods in times of emergency. If possible, highlight the success of a farmer or group of farmers in preventing loss during a natural disaster.
-Invite your audience to call or text-in to interact with the panel. Ask them to share their experiences with the disaster or threat, and its impact on their farms. Invite them to discuss methods they have used to protect their farms, or query the panel about how they could prepare for future emergencies. Be sure to ask panelists and callers for details on specific proactive measures farmers can take.

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This brief story provides an update to an FRW news story from January 2008, which detailed the ways that post-election violence was affecting food production and food security in Kenya. You can revisit the story and related notes through the following links:
-http://farmradio.org/english/weekly/2008/01/21/2-kenya-violence-forces-farmers-to-flee-threatens-food-supply-various-sources-allafricacom/
-http://farmradio.org/english/weekly/2008/01/21/notes-to-broadcasters-on-violence-in-kenya/

If you broadcast in an area of Kenya where farmers may be eligible for free seeds and fertilizer, consider researching the details of how they can obtain this support. The National Cereals and Produce Board is a good place to start – their website is: http://www.ncpb.co.ke/.

And remember, wherever you broadcast, you can always help farmers by researching farmer-support programs and providing details on air!

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May 3 is World Press Freedom Day, a day to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and inform citizens about violations to press freedom. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has organized a two-day conference in Maputo, Mozambique to coincide with World Press Freedom Day. The conference will look at how press freedom contributes to empowerment, the role of community media, and the importance of access to information. Guest speakers from across Africa and around the world are scheduled to participate.

For more information about the conference, or to access resources that UNESCO has compiled for the event, visit: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=25877&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html.

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Do you know the media rights (and restrictions) provided under law in your country? Do you know how press freedom in your country compares to other African countries? A team of African scholars working through the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, undertook a study of press legislation in ten multi-party democratic countries.

The study includes an overview of existing media legislation in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as a comparative analysis. It also aims to verofy legislation in these countries against regional and international standards and best-practices in the area of media law conducive to freedom of expression. To view the full study online, visit: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/fr/files/25479/11915762761medialegislationinafrica_web.pdf/medialegislationinafrica_web.pdf.

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Every Farm Radio International script package is accompanied by an issue of Voices. Voices newsletters provide information and resources related to the scripts, broadcasting tips, and a forum for partners to share experiences and lessons learned. Below is a profile of Dzimwe Community Radio in the Southern Region of Malawi that appeared in the March 2008 issues of Voices (http://www.farmradio.org/english/partners/voices/v2008mar.asp).

We would love to profile your radio organization in a future issue of FRW. If you are interested, please contact FRW Editor Heather Miller at hmiller@farmradio.org.

Dzimwe Community Radio is based in Mangochi in the Southern Region of Malawi. It was established in 1998 to enhance communication amongst rural communities. Funded by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it aims to encourage development by facilitating dialogue on community needs and issues in order for people to identify appropriate solutions. Several of the issues the radio station addresses are of particular interest to women and help to provide them with a voice. These issues include: improving health, gender-based violence, income generation activities such as farming, sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources, and safe motherhood. The station has 15 radio listening clubs which provide feedback on programming.

Dzimwe Community Radio covers almost the entire District of Mangochi and parts of Ntcheu, Dedza, and Balaka Districts. It has a radius of 150 km. The station broadcasts from 5:55 am to 10:00 pm daily. The majority of people in the area rely on farming and/or fishing for their livelihoods. Crops grown in the area include maize, groundnuts, millet, sweet potatoes, cassava, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, and fruit.

Hilda Jambo runs the station and receives support from an assistant supervisor and a Board of Directors made up of community representatives. Other personnel are all volunteers and include: three program producers, eight presenters and announcers, one driver, one accounts officer, one marketing officer, and one engineer.

The following three radio programs focus on issues of relevance to smallholder farmers and fishers:

Ulimi Wokhazikika (Sustainable Agriculture) airs Monday and Thursday between 2:00 and 2:30 pm. The program promotes sustainable smallholder farming practices and food security through dramas, poems, documentaries, and interviews. The program also promotes agroforestry practices and encourages growing a diversified mix of food crops rather than depending on maize alone.

Tisodze (Fisheries Conservation) airs Tuesday and Saturday from 10:30 to 11:00 am. The program is aimed at making the community aware of legal and illegal fishing practices. It features issues that are impacting the growth of the fishing industry and leading to over-fishing. The program also highlights alternative protein sources to fish and alternative livelihood strategies to fishing.

Zachilengedwe (Natural Resource Utilization and Conservation) is a program aimed at encouraging sustainable management of resources, including processing of indigenous fruit trees and other wild resources into valuable products. The program has assisted people to introduce guinea fowl rearing, goat rearing, beekeeping, and the processing baobab, tamarind, and jujube fruits into juice.

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Farmers can earn income producing compostThis week’s lead news story looks at a group of Cameroonian farmers who created a successful business growing certified organic produce. Organic certification is a new way for farmers to reach export markets. Organic farming, on the other hand, has been practiced for as long as people have farmed. Many farmers choose organic practices for their effectiveness and cost efficiency, or because of health and environmental considerations.

This week’s script looks at the value of compost – an organic fertilizer – that can be produced with on-farm waste. To see the entire script online, please go to: http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/80-3script_en.asp.

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