Solar-powered solutions transform lives in Northern Ghana

The long dry season—from November to April every year—used to be a hardship for the village of Kunkua in the Bolgatanga-East District of Ghana. But now, a solar-powered water system has transformed their fortunes in a remarkable way. Catastrophic climate change The northern region of Ghana is believed to be one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Longer and more frequent periods of drought have spelt disaster for the

Empowering Voices: Sustaining Interactive Radio Projects Beyond Funding Cycles

What: Webinar When: Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT / 3:30 p.m. EAT Where: Zoom *This webinar will have simultaneous translation into French. Register now A key challenge in any project often posed by funding partners is how to sustain the project and keep it going into the future long past the end date of a funding commitment. This need was our inspiration for launching

Rural Radio: Voices for Change (Global Family Farming Forum)

The Global Family Farming Forum (15-18 October 2024) gathers global food champions to mark the Mid-Term of the UN Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF). A vital element of this event is a fully operational radio station streaming live from the FAO headquarters, reaching out to rural audiences. Experienced rural radio broadcasters from various regions will produce a special radio series, Rural Radio: Voices for Change, to amplify discussions and perspectives

Rural Radio: Voices for Change

As decision-makers gather at the Global Family Farming Forum at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 15-17 October 2024, FAO and Farm Radio International will be broadcasting live, in collaboration with radio broadcasters from around the world, to showcase the power of rural radio. As part of the World Food Forum, this event marks the mid-term implementation of the UN Decade of Family Farming and celebrates the vital role family farmers

World Rural Women’s Day 2024: Honoring key players in agricultural development

On October 15, 2024, World Rural Women’s Day celebrates the vital role of rural women in agriculture and food security. These women make up 40% of the global agricultural workforce and process 80% of agricultural products in Africa. However, they still face significant barriers to accessing agricultural resources and participating in strategic decision-making. Persistent challenges for rural women Despite their essential role in agriculture, rural women encounter difficulties in accessing land, seeds, and agricultural equipment. They are often excluded

The CNOP-Burundi: A march towards restructuring and revitalizing member agricultural cooperatives

The National Coordination of Farmers’ Organizations of Burundi (CNOP-Burundi) has taken a significant step in restructuring and revitalizing its member agricultural cooperatives. With the support of IFAD, through the implementation of the FO4ACP project by PROPAC, CNOP-Burundi has successfully welcomed more than 103 active and dynamic agricultural cooperatives operating on the ground. This marks a first in the organization’s history. These cooperatives, some of which are exemplary agricultural cooperatives in

Visiting communities to ensure FRI Nature-based Solutions project meets community needs

In the crisp air of November 2023, the Ghanaian landscape stirred with quiet anticipation. Under the banner of the Nature-Based Solutions project, a dedicated team from Farm Radio International (FRI) set out on a journey across the Volta, Central, Upper West, Upper East, Northern and Bono East regions. Their mission was clear: to delve deep into the hearts of these communities, to listen, to learn and to gather invaluable insights through

Gender and climate-resilient agriculture: A review of concepts and practical resources in support of gender-transformative change

To advance the use of gender-transformative approaches in climate-resilient agriculture (CRA), a review of practical resources that could support researchers and practitioners in applying gender and CRA was undertaken. The review consolidates and assesses diverse, practical resources—including research tools, methods and broader guidance—that aim to address gender inequalities/inequities, climate and agriculture, albeit to varying degrees. A conceptual framework was developed to guide the review. This framework helped establish the gender

International Youth Day 2024: Youth digital pathways for sustainable development

August 12, 2024, marks International Youth Day, a day dedicated to showcasing the potential and addressing the challenges faced by young people globally. Often considered “digital natives,” young people are at the forefront of innovating with new technologies. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” highlights how digital innovation empowers youth to lead sustainable development. In a world where digital transformation is rapidly shaping

Young women and men in Somalia are embracing technology to promote peace

A short yet perilous seven-kilometre road connects the towns of Buufow and Shalanbood in southern Somalia. The once-prosperous agricultural area that produced fruits and vegetables for the region has experienced decades of conflict and destabilization. Just like most parts of the country, the region is severely affected by the ongoing drought. The two communities have had to cope with the increasing scarcity of natural resources from which to derive their