Do you have questions about our work? Give us a call or reach us by email.

1-888-773-7717

info@farmradio.org

About us

What is Farm Radio International?

Farm Radio International is the only international non-profit organization solely focused on using radio as a tool for international development in rural Africa.

How did Farm Radio International get started?

Our story began on a bus in rural Zambia in 1975 when a Canadian named George Atkins learned that a lack of appropriate resources was getting in the way of farm radio programs serving listeners in the developing world. Learn more about our story and our founder on our history page.

What is the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network?

The Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN) is our former name. We officially became Farm Radio International in 2008.

Is Farm Radio International a registered charity?

Yes, we have been registered as a charity in Canada since 1986. Our charitable registration number is (BN) 11888 4808 RR0001.

Where are your offices?

Our Canadian office is located in Ottawa, in a building owned by our strategic partner, WUSC. We also have country offices in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda.

How big is your team?

Our team is made up of approximately 100 individuals with expertise in international development, radio and ICTs, training, evaluation, and non-profit management. Meet some of them here.

What is your annual operating budget?

Naturally, our budget fluctuates given changes in funding and other factors. In recent years, our budget has been around six million dollars (CDN). Access the latest figures by exploring our annual reports and financial statements, available here.

Where do you get your funds?

We receive project-based funding from a number of funders and funding partners, from international organizations to government bodies. We also rely on the generosity of hundreds of ordinary Canadians, who provide us with a flexible source of funding that allows us to explore and be innovative. Learn more

What is your relationship with WUSC?

In 2004 we entered into a strategic partnership with the World University Service of Canada. For an annual fee, WUSC provides us with a full range of management and administrative services as well as office space — increasing efficiencies in both organizations. We have also worked together on a number of international development projects. We are, however, a totally independent non-profit organization, with our own staff and board of directors.

Our work

What do you do?

We have three key areas of focus. We create and distribute radio resources that help rural radio broadcasters better serve their listeners. We run radio projects that improve the lives of people in rural Africa. And we pioneer radio innovations that make radio even more effective and interactive. Learn more.

Why radio?

Even in today’s high-tech era, radio is still the world’s most popular form of mass media. Even some of the world’s poorest people have access to radio, and the programs they tune into are in languages that they can understand — even if they can’t read or write. Learn more.

Who benefits?

The ultimate beneficiaries of our work are small-scale farmers and other rural citizens who are able to access quality radio programs centred on their needs. At the same time, we also contribute to the ongoing professional development of participating farm radio broadcasters. Learn more

Where do you work?

Radio broadcasters at more than 1,000 radio stations in 41 sub-Saharan African countries currently benefit from the radio resources that we produce and share. We also work with a smaller group of these stations in select focus countries to implement radio projects designed to deliver specific results. Learn more.

Who writes your scripts and other radio resources?

Approximately 90% of Farm Radio International resources are now written by African journalists.

Do you run radio stations?

We don’t own or operate any radio stations. Instead, we work with established radio stations across sub-Saharan Africa to help them strengthen their impact and reach. These are community radio stations, private radio stations and public broadcasters who already have an audience, staff and an understanding of the local community.

Do you work in emergencies?

While we do not specialize in emergency response, we have worked with our partners to use radio to respond to specific emergency situations. Learn more about how radio helped in the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the pan-African drought of 2015-16 and, the spread of the Fall armyworm in 2017-18.

How can my organization work with Farm Radio International?

Organizations interested in funding our work or collaborating with us on a project are invited to download our partnership brochure or contact our director of programs, Ian Pringle. African radio stations interested in joining our network should visit farmradio.fm for more information.

Can you help me start a radio station?

We work with existing, established radio stations that are already on the air. Unfortunately we do not have the capacity to help individuals or organizations start their own radio stations.

Fundraising and support

Are donations to Farm Radio International tax deductible?

Yes, all donations of $10 and above are tax deductible.

When will I get my official donation receipt for income tax purposes?

When you donate online, you will receive an acknowledgement with your receipt attached almost instantly via email. If you mail in a donation, your receipt will be issued either by mail or email, according to your preferences, within one week of us receiving it. Monthly donors receive an annual receipt at the beginning of the following year. 

How do I know I can trust Farm Radio International with my donation?

When you support Farm Radio International, you can be confident that your donation will go far. We consistently spend around 85% of all funds on core programs, and only about 15% on administration and fundraising. We have also been rated a top charity by Charity Intelligence Canada, earning its highest rating of four stars.

How can I see the impact that my donation is having?

We encourage you to check out our blog and subscribe to our e-newsletter to learn more about how our work is making a real difference in the lives of farmers and broadcasters across Africa. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for more impact stories.

How do I update my contact or payment information?

If you would like to update your contact information or make changes to how and when you donate, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. You can call us at 613-761-3715, email us at info@farmradio.org, or use our online form.

Can I make a donation as a gift or in honour of someone else?

Yes. You can celebrate a loved one by making a donation in their name and sending a Farm Radio International greeting card. If you are donating online, you can select the “In Tribute” option to have us send a card in the mail or choose an e-card to send it via email. Donate now.

Can I donate radios or other equipment?

Thankfully, more than 70% of farmers in Africa already have their own radio and almost all have access to one. The longstanding ubiquity of radio is one of the reasons that our work so effective. Mobile phones have also spread quickly, with many farmers in Africa owning more than one. Rather than providing equipment, our work focuses on making the most of radio and other tools that farmers already have. That said, in some of our radio projects we do help community listening groups obtain good wind-up radios, splitting the cost with them 50/50.

Communications and contacting us

Can I contact you about a media appearance?

Absolutely! Please send any media inquiries to media@farmradio.org and we’ll follow up as soon as possible.

Do you do presentations at events, schools, churches etc?

We do. However, we have a very small team and can generally only present in the Ottawa region or in the vicinity of our African offices. That said, we have given talks in Toronto, Vancouver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. Send us an email at info@farmradio.org and we will see what we can do!

Can I use your photos or videos?

Any photos you see on our website or social media can be used but please give credit to the original photographer and Farm Radio International. If you need higher-resolution versions please email our communications team at media@farmradio.org.

Do you accept volunteers/interns?

Yes. Every year we take on several volunteers at our head office in Ottawa, Canada, but also at many of our country offices. Please send us an email at info@farmradio.org to inquire.

Do you send volunteers/interns overseas?

Some of our projects have volunteer-sending components, where we send volunteers with relevant experience to work with our teams in sub-Saharan Africa. Please keep an eye on our job board for both short- and long-term opportunities with us.

I can’t find a particular resource on your website… Where is it?

Over the years we have added resources to our website (and occasionally removed some as well). If you can’t find something you’ve seen before or just want to ask us what kind of documents we may be able to share, please reach out to info@farmradio.org.

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