International Service for National Agricultural Research

This 12-page paper addresses the current role of rural radio in Africa and explores how researchers can improve communication with farmers via radio. It also discusses research relationships among civil society where media is an influential but often underestimated institutional partner. The partners in the project include the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), the University of Guelph (Canada), the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and support from the Canada/CGIAR Linkage Fund of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Abstract

"New developments in rural radio in Africa hold promise for the application of farming systems thinking for agricultural innovation and development. This paper examines the challenge of international and national agricultural research institutions moving beyond the conventional “technology triangle” of research-extension-farmer linkages whereby information tends to be selectively released and controlled. In contrast, a web-like set of interactions among multiple stakeholders and research institutions prevails and requires a learning-centered approach to knowledge generation and information sharing to support agricultural innovation for rural development. A pilot project at the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) to investigate the current role of broadcast radio in linking farmers, research institutions and rural extension in Africa is discussed. To date, the project has carried out a study of radio/research linkage needs and worked with teams of African researchers and radio broadcasters. The results suggest a ‘linkage gap’ exists that prevents the two ‘stations’ of research and radio rarely, if ever, interacting. Lack of teamwork, and certain policy and organizational issues operate against research/radio linkages. Overcoming these limitations will be an on-going effort, but there are encouraging ways forward.”

According to the report, radio remains a vital part of development in Africa. However, farming systems thinking focuses on a linear approach to scientists developing technologies, government extension agents disseminating them as packages, and farmers adopting them, neglecting of their own knowledge and role in developing and adapting technology, a role which is often embedded in scientific organisations. At the same time, a need was identified to increase collaboration between agricultural researchers and broadcasters.

The report outlines the following priorities for policy and organisational change for research/radio linkages:

• subregional, national, and provincial inventories of agricultural research;
• facilities and rural radio stations;
• case studies of what constitutes high-impact agricultural research communication and information exchange to inform new policy development or improve existing information and communication policies;
• rapid priority-setting methods for research and radio collaboration;
• tools for assessing the added value of collaborative efforts;
• impact assessment of rural media and development communications; and
• collaborative management such as appointing a scientist to the advisory board of the radio station.

The report concludes that radio is the most important medium for communicating with the rural populations of developing countries. Farming systems thinking thus is presented with a continuing challenge to move beyond the “technology triangle” of research-extension-farmer linkages, whereby information is selectively released and controlled, towards a learning-centred approach for knowledge sharing. For linkage activities, emphasis must be placed on the “C” (communication) of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Evidence suggests that broadcast radio is still a highly relevant ICT for agricultural innovation for rural development in Africa.

Food and Agriculture Organization website on June 27 2007.