Rural Communication Services

From inspiration to impact: Brian Kanyenda’s journey in social change broadcasting
Rural Communication Services

Brian Augustus Kanyenda’s career in radio broadcasting is driven by a passion for social change and the belief in radio’s power to amplify marginalized voices. Inspired by broadcasters from a young age, Mr. Kanyenda was motivated to use his platform to advocate for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. Over time, he has refined his skills in radio programming, content creation, and community engagement, always aiming to spark conversations and

Radio programme: How Tanzanian garlic farmers are preserving quality and boosting income one bulb at a time
Rural Communication Services

In Tanzania’s Manyara Region, garlic farmers are proving that simple, well-timed post-harvest practices can make all the difference between profit and loss, with support from the MVIWAMA (Mtandao wa Vikundi vya Wakulima na Wafugaji wa Mkoa wa Manyara) and broadcast in Swahili on Habari Njema Radio 87.5 FM, this radio programme is part of the YenKasa Africa Radio Initiative, dedicated to amplifying rural voices and sharing practical farming solutions. This

Connecting communities through digital platforms: David Bakasa is developing interactive radio
Rural Communication Services

In Zimbabwe, David Bakasa is transforming radio engagement by blending traditional broadcasting with digital platforms like Facebook Live, WhatsApp, and podcasts. Mr. Bakasa is the radio programming manager at ZimGospel Masters Radio, where he is committed to making radio more interactive and inclusive, connecting with audiences both locally and globally through dynamic online conversations and listener participation. Mr. Bakasa’s radio journey began in 2017 when he volunteered as a journalist

Broadcasting better farming: Ms. Charity’s voice for rural communities
Rural Communication Services

When Atuhura Charity was a young girl in Bujenje County, Masindi District, she would sit beside her mother’s radio, listening intently to the weekend dramas and educational programs aired on Bunyoro Broadcasting Services (BBS FM). Today, she works at that very station—BBS 98.2FM in Western Uganda—as a Runyoro-language news anchor, talk show host, reporter, and co-host of the farmers’ program Liima Yorora Lisa Ogaigahale. Ms. Charity joined the media industry in

Rural communication services and inclusive innovation approaches for family farming
Publications

The United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) recognizes communication as a crucial driver in transforming agrifood systems, empowering family farmers through inclusive Rural Communication Services (RCS). Over the past five years, FAO-supported regional initiatives – ComDev Asia, YenKasa Africa, and Onda Rural – have worked to mainstream RCS into family farming policies, fostering participatory knowledge sharing and innovation. This report presents key insights from the 2024 technical seminar held

Radio for impact: Hervice Kouassi champions youth and community issues in Côte d’Ivoire
Rural Communication Services

Hervice Kouassi’s journey into broadcasting began not in a studio, but at the heart of his rural village in Côte d’Ivoire. Growing up in a family of farmers, Mr. Kouassi was drawn to radio, which was the primary source of information and entertainment for his community. His passion for this medium took root early, shaping the course of his career. After completing his Baccalaureate, Mr. Kouassi’s parents initially urged him

Broadcasting for change: How Salisu Hamza empowers farmers in Nigeria
Rural Communication Services

Salisu Hamza is a radio broadcaster with over a decade of experience at Globe FM, part of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, located in Bauchi State. Driven by a deep passion for radio, Mr. Hamza has built a successful career, dedicated to educating and empowering rural communities and small-scale farmers. His broadcasts have made a meaningful impact, providing vital information on agriculture and livestock management. For the past ten

Radio Programme: Reforestation and Forest Restoration in Madagascar's Diana Region
Rural Communication Services

In Madagascar’s Diana Region, the OPFA Union Matanjaka is spearheading a vital reforestation programme aimed at restoring forest landscapes and strengthening local livelihoods. Produced by the Réseau SOA and OPFA Union Matanjaka, and broadcast in Malagasy across four key radio stations—Radio Varatraza, Radio Anivorano, Radio RLA Ambilobe, and Radio MAZAVA Ambanja—this radio feature is part of the YenKasa Africa Radio Initiative. It highlights how rural communities are regenerating the environment

Radio Programme: Wildfire Management for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Ghana
Rural Communication Services

Every dry season, fires sweep across Ghana’s savannah landscapes—scorching farmlands, destroying forests, and threatening food security. But what if the very communities affected by wildfires hold the key to stopping them? In this powerful radio feature, which is part of the YenKasa Africa Radio Initiative, Radio Savannah, broadcasting in Gurune, shines a spotlight on wildfire management as a vital path to sustainable agriculture. Through voices from the ground—farmers, women entrepreneurs,

New digital technologies boost beekeeping for smallholder farmers and family beekeepers
Rural Communication Services

Beekeeping, or apiculture, is not just a hobby or a side job – it is a vital agricultural activity and essential for food security and biodiversity. Beekeepers, often smallholder or family farmers, play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems through pollination and ensuring the health of countless crops. The publication Digital Technologies and Solutions for Beekeeping explores how innovative technologies are helping support this vital practice, boosting productivity and complementing