The context
Teff, wheat and maize are three crops at the core of Ethiopia’s agriculture and food economy. Poor yields, and poor marketing, however, can limit the prospects of farmers. Alternatively, access to better productivity tools, stronger post harvest practices and better markets can strengthen farmers’ profits and the volume of produce sold, in turn increasing the processing capacity of local processors.
Our project
Working in a consortium with three other organizations, Farm Radio looked to improve the income and food security of small-scale farmers and their families in selected woredas of the Amhara and Tigray regions in Ethiopia. Using radio in tandem with efforts from other organizations, the project worked to strengthen agricultural input systems and supply chains, increase the adoption of productivity enhancing technologies and practices, reduce post-harvest loss and strengthen value chains so farmers have increased access to structured output markets.
Radio programs broadcast information on everything from how to prepare land, choose seeds and deal with pests, to how to harvest, store and market their produce.
Unfortunately, the conflict in Tigray forced the end of programs there, and the second half of the programs played exclusively in the Amhara region.
Project Results
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Radio episodes
0M
People reached
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Mobile interactionsThroughout the three-year project period, Farm Radio:
- Worked with five radio stations and aired a total of 143 radio episodes
- Trained 121 broadcasters and partners in interactive radio production, broadcast and FRI quality standards and ICT services
- Provided a potential audience of more than 4.1 million rural people with timely, interactive radio programs in the two regions, Amhara and Tigray
- Created an opportunity for 87,854 farmers to participate on Interactive Voice Response services in line the radio programs throughout the 3 years of implementation
Partner radio stations were equipped with the latest broadcasting skills and new interactive tools at their fingertips. Especially during COVID-19, broadcasters and radio stations developed distance approaches, created closer ties, and are more responsive to their audiences, which has increased their impact.
Additional outcome research is being completed by AGRA.
This project is made possible through financial support of AGRA, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
Project snapshot
- Duration: 36 months (2018-2022)
- Budget: 342,785 USD
- Radio stations: 5
Radio Stations
- Debre Markos Community Radio
- Amhara Mass Media Agency
- Finote Selam Community Radio
- Ethiopia National Radio
- Dimtsi Weyane Tigray
““The radio is a good way for me to stay updated on modern farming methods. I try to listen to the farming program whenever I get the chance .”
Marre Shaqa,
Farmer, Anedid Woreda, Amhara
