USAID NAFAKA FEED THE FUTURE IMPARTS KNOWLEDGE TO FARMERS THROUGH RADIO

Joe Tindwa, Nafaka Mbeya Regional Coordinator(left) and Absalom Mwaipaja, Agribusiness Development Advisor (centre) during radio talk show at Rock FM in Mbeya recently. 

MBEYA: For years, radio is perceived as one of the best means to reach the masses especially those who are living in peripherals. Indeed, this is appropriate means for farmers with low literacy level that provide effective communication to foster adoption, our region is not exceptional. 

Knowing the importance of radio, Rock FM in collaboration with USAID Feed the Future Nafaka in Mbeya and Songwe regions is reaching its beneficiaries through this effective means. The station uses its programme called Shamba Darasa which literally means farm class in partnership with agricultural experts from Nafaka to impart knowledge on good agricultural practices. 

Speaking to the station, Joe Tindwa, USAID Nafaka Mbeya Regional Coordinator said that radio talk show is one of the effective communication means that are found appropriate to deliver good agricultural practices in the project area. “We always interact with listeners to respond to their queries relating to agricultural activities and feedback is always good”, said Tindwa. 

During Shamba Darasa talk show which is moderated by Mgode Serika (Mteule), Tindwa used the opportunity to describe the objectives and activities of the project to the listeners of Rock FM. He said that “it’s the interest of USAID Feed the Future Tanzania Nafaka to facilitate the linkage between smallholder farmers with input suppliers, which eventually lead to increased volume of inputs marketed” added that “the farmers are also linked with financial institutions and markets so that they can acquire loans to support their agricultural activities”. 

In its first four years of operation, USAID Feed the Future Nafaka played a major role in training on good agricultural practices which resulted in high yield in its zone of influence. Surplus of agricultural produce has in turn created a problem of where to market these produces. To address the market problem the follow-on project, spends almost seventy percent of its activities on developing and strengthening market systems. 

Absalom Mwaipaja, USAID Nafaka Agribusiness Development Advisor informed the listeners about the Nafaka’s interventions on market systems development, and asked smallholder farmers in their groups/associations to take advantage of these opportunities. “Through contract farming, farmers are assured of accessing inputs and output markets reliably,” he added that “e-market platforms such as Ninayo and m-kilimo enable the farmers and buyers to receive reliable and first-hand information about the market hence to make timely and sound decision”, said Mwaipaja. 

Rock FM and USAID Feed the Future Tanzania Nafaka project have agreed to continue to use Shamba Darasa talk show to reach listeners who are the beneficiaries of the project to create awareness of the project in Mbeya and Songwe regions. Rock FM is reaching approximately1.5 million listeners in Mbeya town, Mbarali, Mbozi, Iringa rural, Kilolo and Mufindi.