In each of the five countries, advisory committees representing farmers' organisations, radio stations, research organisations, government extension agencies, and other stakeholders are coming together to develop detailed action research plans. As part of the research plans, partner radio stations are producing and broadcasting a variety of participatory radio campaigns with and for farmers that address their food security priorities. By comparing farmers' knowledge and farming practices before and after the programmes are broadcast, AFRRI aims to discover how radio, mobile phones, and other communication technologies can best be used to help smallholder farmers meet their food security objectives.

The project hopes to provide answers to the following questions:

• How do African farmers use the information they hear on the radio? What information is most useful?
• What format is best able to engage and empower farmers?
• How can radio stations make use of cheap and accessible mobile phones, MP3 players, and other communication technologies to extend their reach and improve interaction with listeners?

The programme organisers believe that radio is still the best communication tool for reaching the rural economically poor, particularly in Africa. "Radio is popular, reaches a wide audience and is affordable and accessible. Farmers listen to local news, stories, and music in their own language without needing to be able to read English or French."

AFRRI encourages broadcasters to use radio techniques such as phone-in shows, live community forums, and radio diaries. AFRRI will also support broadcasters in using newer information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as mobile phones, to improve the reach and interactivity of their communication services for farmers.

Agriculture.

Farm Radio International (formerly DCFRN) is a Canadian charity founded in 1979 with the mission of supporting broadcasters to strengthen small-scale farming and rural communities in Africa. Farm Radio International researches and produces radio scripts on rural development issues and distributes them to some 300 radio broadcasters in Africa. Broadcasters interpret and use the scripts to provide their listeners with information about farming, land management, livelihoods, health, and other issues. Farm Radio International also provides capacity-building support to African radio broadcasters, facilitates networking among and between broadcasters, and helps build the knowledge base about radio-for-development through action research projects.

WUSC is a network of people and post-secondary institutions and a Canadian international development charity. 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 in improving lives for over six decades. Its alumni include leaders in the public, private, and voluntary sectors in Canada, and around the world.