Disseminating agricultural knowledge on the streets with Radio IITA

28 May 2024

To assess its impact on knowledge dissemination in the agricultural landscape, Radio IITA, 88.5FM, recently embarked on a three-day comprehensive survey outreach targeting farmers and listeners within its broadcast coverage.

Radio IITA reporter conducting an interview during the survey outreach.
Radio IITA reporter conducting an interview during the survey outreach.

The survey outreach initiative, which represents a significant milestone in Radio IITA’s mission to promote awareness and literacy about improved agricultural technologies in IITA, also aims to gather

insights directly from farmers and listeners, allowing the station to design its programming and create content to address specific needs and challenges faced by agricultural communities.

“Our programs are focused on providing information that will not only enhance agricultural productivity

but also contribute to sustainable rural development, ultimately improving farmer’s livelihoods, health,

and income. We recognize the importance of grassroots insights in shaping our programming, hence the commitment to inclusivity and responsiveness,” said Radio IITA Team lead Dajie Abang-Odok.

Enthusiastic respondents appreciated the radio station’s broadcast style while highlighting other areas where the station can improve its content schedule. “We are excited that Radio IITA has come to stay, and we love the agricultural programs on-air. Radio IITA can also add other languages to their program presentation, such as Hausa, Efik, and Ibo,” noted Musa Gobiri, a transporter around the Ajibode axis.

In the Akingbile community, a handful of residents commended the station for blazing the trail in agricultural information dissemination, adding that more still needs to be done.

“I listen to Radio IITA online; I enjoy the music, news, and agricultural content. It would be nice if you could extend your broadcast time,” Adeleke Emmanuel, a civil servant, noted in one of the questionnaires.

Radio IITA crew during the the survey outreach in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Radio IITA crew during the the survey outreach in Ibadan, Oyo state.

At the Sasa market, respondents applauded the initiative, emphasizing that agricultural information and other educational broadcasts on the station will help improve the livelihood of farmers and agribusiness stakeholders.

At the popular Moniya Market, the team engaged market women and commodity buyers who were all interested in participating in the survey. Many respondents in the area noted that Radio IITA content relating to the farmers broadcast in the Yoruba language has helped them to stay abreast of agricultural innovation.

“I am particularly interested in the programs where farmers air their views, which you broadcast in our language (Yoruba). I commend this initiative and look forward to a live broadcast from our market here and on the farms with farmers. I also want to encourage others to take agriculture seriously,” Iya Basira, a meat seller, noted.

The outreach climaxed with a visit to the farmers’ cooperative representatives in Akinyele Local Government, concluding Radio IITA’s Community Survey Outreach. This visit had three main goals: engaging with local farmers to understand their challenges, gaining insights into the agricultural landscape, and showcasing impactful work to address the community’s agricultural issues.

As Radio IITA continues to expand its reach and impact, initiatives like the survey outreach underline the Station’s commitment to empower farmers and drive positive change within the agricultural sector.

 

Contributed by Bamise Dada