Nelly Bassily | February 9, 2015
Radio transforms lives – and particularly farmers’ lives – in many ways. Barza Wire brings the voices and perspectives of African small-scale farmers into the global conversation on agriculture and food, a conversation in which farmers’ voices are rarely heard. These farmers’ stories are then broadcast over the airwaves of radio stations across Africa.
To celebrate World Radio Day 2015, we asked our Barza Wire journalists, contributors and community to send us stories about why African radio broadcasters and the farmers who listen to them love radio.
Here are some of their responses:
Barza Wire journalist Nqobani Ndlovu interviewed farmer Abel Moyo in the Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe for a story on how Mr. Moyo feeds his fish with chicken manure. Mr. Moyo said: “It is humbling to know that I got recognition (on the radio) for my fish farming project, especially in light of the fact that there are hundreds and thousands of farmers who are excelling in their fields.”
For their part, broadcasters such as radio journalist Lesley Zibonele Moyo of Radio Dialogue in Zimbabwe say that broadcasting Barza Wire stories like Mr. Moyo’s helps farmer stories reach a wider audience. Mr. Moyo says the stories are “of great help to local farmers, particularly up and coming ones.”
Sometimes, radio broadcasters love radio not only because they create radio, but because they learn from it too. Patrick Kyaze is a broadcaster with Radio 92.5 Victoria FM in Jinja, 80 kilometres from Kampala. Mr. Kyaze started raising pigs after hearing the story of farmer Aida Among. He was inspired by learning how Mrs. Among turned her life around by raising pigs after she contracted HIV.
Barza Wire reader and broadcaster Peter Balaba from Radio Nakaseke FM in Uganda tweets: “@BarzaFm farmers love Nakaseke FM because it goes out to reach their farms.”
Finally, we received this short poem from radio broadcaster Monica Ebwola about why she and her listeners love radio. A truly wonderful ode to radio!
Photo credit: Martin Mwape
RADIO RADIO RADIO!
You give us the sense of direction!
Because you are a means of detection!
With you I can hear and tell any infection!
So I can handle my crops as always; with affection!
Without you I have no job!
Yet with you I can give hope!
With you I get back what I need; hope!
With the families together; we cope!
Can I make you mine?
Oh Radio, you will help me change my mind?
From fair to better so I ferment like wine.
For today and tomorrow, with you, we change with time.
We want to keep hearing why you and your farmers love radio! Follow us on twitter @BarzaFm to keep sending us your stories and photos showing why you and your farmers love radio. Use the hashtags #Iloveradio and #BarzaWire
You can also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/barzaradio. Give us a “like” and tell us your story.
Happy World Radio Day!