Farm Radio Weekly

This week, we are pleased to introduce 17 new FRW subscribers representing radio stations, farmers groups, NGOs, and government agencies in 11 African countries. They are: from Cameroon, Yimga N. Emmanuel of Journal Le Tourbillon; from Côte d’Ivoire, Sehi Ange Rodrigue of the Coopérative pour la Culture de Pistache and Tanoh Motié Jean Jacques of the NGO R.E.E.L-Santé; from Ghana, Dzigbordi Asuo of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Gilbert Nkrabea of Volta Star Radio, Sawuratu Al-Hassan of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and Philip Koah from Max FM; from Liberia, Dexter Sherrill of Plan International; from Madagascar, Yvonne Orengo of the Andrew Lees Trust; from Malawi, Gladson Makowa of the Story Workshop; from Nigeria, Sachia Ngutsav of Radio Benue and Abubakar Abdullahi Hassan of Ahmadu Bello University; from Rwanda, Jean Paul Ntezimana of Radio Salus; from Tanzania, Lazarus Laiser of Radio Habari Maalum; from Togo, Amedegnato Edehhioue of the Association Nid du Développement; and, from Uganda, Wambi Michael of Vision Voice 94.8 FM and Mansur Kothia from the Smile Group. We welcome all of our new subscribers!

This edition is packed with news that reflects some of the everyday struggles and triumphs of small-scale farmers. From Cameroon, our correspondent, Lilianne Nyatcha, tells us about chicken farmers struggling to obtain enough feed for their birds. The poultry farmers hope to work with grain farmers to ensure sufficient feed for next season. From Burundi, we bring you the story of farmers who have revived elephant ear – a hardy, nutritious crop that had been lost to their country for more than ten years. We also provide you with important updates on pesticide control and the regulation of genetically-modified crops.

We would also like to tell you about two opportunities to support your fellow African broadcasters. This issue of FRW includes a new section called Radio News Flash. Here, you’ll find news about a recent attack on Ushrika Racou community radio station in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We invite you to use the comments section of this story to post a message of solidarity with Ushrika Racou and others who struggle to operate during times of conflict.

Another opportunity to support radio broadcasters is described in the Farm Radio Action section. Public voting is now open for the Every Human Has Rights Media Awards. Zodiak Broadcasting Station in Malawi – an organization with FRW subscribers – has submitted an entry for which you can vote!

Happy reading!
-The Farm Radio Weekly Team