Zambia: The Radio Farm Forum

[Knowledge base]

The Radio Farm Forum (RFF) was introduced as a pilot project in Zambia in 1967, starting with the Northern Province. As this document indicates, as of July 2006, the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) broadcasts 8 agricultural information programmes on radio in both English and in 7 Zambian languages. The primary objective of the programme is to communicate agricultural news and technical information, provided by the technical experts based at the MAFF, to peasant farmers in remote rural areas. According to the author, the programme's original educational objectives have remained consistent and relevant throughout the years and include the ability by listeners to efficiently apply the technical information received, correctly identify and describe some of the common crop and animal diseases and pests, and effectively advise other farmers on good farming practices.

Author: David M. Sibalwa