Kathryn Burnham | January 23, 2017
Many farmers in Tanzania’s Mtwara Region grow cashews. This region in southern Tanzania borders Mozambique, with the Ruvuma River serving as a dividing line. The river is home to crocodiles, and Edwin Mpokasye says many people have lost their lives fetching water or attempting to cross the river.
So when Mr. Mpokasye read the Barza Wire Farmer story about crocodile farmers in Zimbabwe, he had an idea. The story discussed how a farmers’ group is supporting people to raise crocodiles as a business by sharing best practices for raising the animals and promoting good marketing strategies.
Mr. Mpokasye is the station manager at Radio Fadhila FM, based in the Masai District of Mtwara Region. The radio station reaches 450,000 households in the area.
Photo credit: Radio Fadhila
Mr. Mpokasye shared the Zimbabwean crocodile story on his farmer radio program, called Farmers Forum. He says he often uses Barza Wire Farmer stories on his program to bring his listeners ideas from other countries.
But he also asks his listeners what is relevant to them, so he knows which topics are important to cover. Farmers Forum is designed with farmers in mind, and invites them to share their views and discuss ways of selling their products. He also invites an expert from the field to discuss farmers’ issues.
Mr. Mpokasye says, “Our radio station is at the forefront of working with small and medium farmers in promoting good farming methods.”
Mr. Mpokasye says he has also used Farm Radio’s resources to learn about the importance of various crops. Cassava is a common crop in his region, but some people see cassava as a crop for poor farmers. Mr. Mpokasye says that he learned about cassava from Barza Wire—how different farmers view the crop, and how to grow cassava well. This changed his perspective on cassava.
He has also seen how cassava “can make a person a giant in the community.” Farmers Forum featured local farmer Geoffrey Chilumba on a program in August. Mr. Chilumba won a government award for growing cassava, with a prize of 100 kilograms of fertilizer and 25 kilograms of improved maize seed, as well as sesame and millet seeds. Mr. Mpokasye says that, after hearing Mr. Chilumba’s story, many people flocked to his home to seek advice from a fellow farmer.
In this way, Radio Fadhila plugs in to community issues and shares information that benefits the community.
Mr. Mpokasye says he got involved in broadcasting for this very reason: to lift up his community. He says, “I love broadcasting because it is an arena where I meet people and debate issues for the benefit of all.” He adds, “And I developed an idea to be a champion for the farmers.”
He hopes his radio program can support farmers “from preparing their farms all the way to market, sharing those ideas which can uplift farmers.”