Nelly Bassily | November 23, 2009
As the FRW community continues to grow, we welcome five new subscribers from Uganda: Grace Nanteza, from Upcoming Farmer; Wamboya Bilton, part of the African Farm Radio Research Initiative; John Bahindura, from Kibaale District Local Government; and Jackie Atuhairwe and Anthony Lwanga, both from Kagadi Kibaale Community Radio. We also welcome Mercy Kahenda, from Radio Mambo in Kenya; Ibrahim Turundu, from Falgo Media in Nigeria; and an NGO from Togo, the Association des Ingénieurs Agronomes pour le Développement.
This week’s news stories look at two important, emerging trends in African agriculture – microinsurance and conservation agriculture. In our first story, from Kenya, we learn about a new program that will allow pastoralists to insure their herds against severe drought and floods. Our second story turns to Zimbabwe, where some farmers have begun practicing “zero tillage,” an element of conservation agriculture. This approach not only allows farmers to make the most of available fertilizer and rainfall, it has also empowered women farmers to prepare fields with their own hands.
This week’s Resource Bank entry suggests some “questions that unlock doors,” while a contest described in the Upcoming Events section talks asks you “what would you change in your area,” and the Farm Radio Action section has a question about your climate change programming.
We are also pleased to have received feedback from more than 60 FRW subscribers since launching our 2009 survey, earlier this month. If you have not yet taken a moment to complete the survey, we invite you to do so by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=IpSQ1mtcHun23z5Tbaypvw_3d_3d. As a small thank you, we are holding two draws for Sansa MP3 players for those who complete the survey. Subscribers who completed the survey by November 20 were entered into the first draw. The winner of this first draw was Davies Alachu, from Voice of Teso 88.4 FM, in Uganda. Congratulations Davies! A second draw will be held on December 4. This is the last day for completing the survey.
Finally, we bring greetings to all of our readers who will celebrate Eid al-Adha this week. Happy Eid!
And Happy Reading!
-The Farm Radio Weekly Team