Farm Radio International To Improve Farmers Capacity

Farmer Radio International is an organization based in Ghana and several other countries. The Organization has much interest in the work and livelihood of the farmer across the world including Ghana.

The Regional Field Manager of Farm Radio International, Mr. Ben Fiafor, said Farm Radio International was instituted 35 years ago and has been operational in Ghana for more than years.

Mr. Ben, disclosed this in a workshop organized by Farm Radio to Support, Educate, Trained and sensitized some selected Radio station from the Northern and Brong-Ahafo region, including focal persons from MOFA in some district to enable them embark on Climate change and Agriculture activities which is aimed at impacting positively to the livelihood of farmers and the general public.

According to Mr. Ben Fiafor, Some of the most catastrophic impacts of climate change can be avoided through CONCERTEDand PROACTIVE action.

Mr Ben, explained that, proactive actions requires building understanding on climate change and its implications for development & poverty reduction, across different levels of society, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

I must add that, the implementation of the above mentioned, requires Farm Radio International in collaboration with it strategic partners to facilitate the formulation of a Radio communication strategy to provide a framework for more systematic and effective approach to climate change, our believe and hope is that using radio communication as a development tool would help us identify and raise awareness about challenges as well as opportunities presented by climate change. Mr Ben noted.

Mr Ben pointed out that, radio would help a lot in promoting clear understanding, encourage participation, invites innovative solutions by promoting adaptations and mitigations and as well reducing vulnerabilities.

Radio station if duties are well discharged, would effect behavioural change of mankind and also improve decision making and that is why we find ccommunication/ radio as a very important element in responding to climate change.

Dr Ernest Mill , from GIZ organisation who are providing funds for this particular project, noted that , their main objective is to see to the full implementation of the program and also make follow ups in the regions, districts and communities that , farm Radio is operating in for feedback.

He said , GIZ has been working in Ghana for several years and it is not only working in partnership with Ghana through Agriculture but in other areas which falls in their policies as an organisation.

Dr Mill disclosed that, in this project GIZ would be providing MOFA with motor bikes and other equipment necessary in the implementation of the programs in the community levels. According to him, the motorbikes would be used for monitoring and visiting the selected communities, while other, equipment likes GPS and computers would be used to assist in the technological part of the program.

He said, a lot of research was done earlier in the selected districts/regions and therefore hopes that, the program would improve greatly on the farmer’s livelihood and for that matter the general public.

Dr Mill , lamented that , their main object in the project is to reduce climate-related yield losses for the farmers and incorporate the findings of the activities into the Ghanaian Agricultural sector policy on adapting land use systems to climate change and also advise smallholder communities whose livelihood is threatened by climate change.

Mr. Theophilus Osie Owusu who is a deputy director at the Extention Department of Agriculture Head office in Accra told participants that, climate change is increasing threat to the food security of millions of people who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods in the world.

Mr. Theo said, In Ghana the agricultural sector is the single sector that employs about 60% of the total population of the country which means the sector contributes greatly to the country’s economy, thus contributing to the livelihood of the majority of the population and the greater part of agriculture production is based on rain-fed.

He revealed that, a situation known as Global warming when the Earth becomes too warm it causes harmful changes in temperature and rainfall over a very long period of time.

According to him, the mission of the Ministry of Agriculture is to promote sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood , while their Vision is to modernized agriculture culminating in a structurally transformed economy and evident in food security, employment opportunities and reduced poverty in Ghana.

In a summary of his presentation, Mr. Theophilus called on participants to take key note of their objectives as a ministry which is Food security and emergency preparedness, improved growth in incomes, increased competitiveness and enhanced integration into domestic and international markets ,sustainable management of land and environment ,science and technology applied in food and agriculture development, enhanced institutional coordination.

He mentioned that, climate change is a long-term shift in weather conditions identified by changes in temperature, precipitation, strong winds, increased in carbon dioxide and other indicators. Climate change can involve both changes in average conditions and changes in variability, including, extreme events.

I must advised that, the dangers of climate change, contribute to the changing and erratic rainfall patterns, flooding, droughts, extreme weather events (include heat waves, strong winds, and heavy rains), deforestation, and desertification. It also affect farming practices, soil fertility, varieties of crops ,pest control, crops and animals that could be raised in particular climactic areas. These could, in turn, affect the availability and price of agriculture products as well as the costs of doing business

Madam Rosemond Ohene , a staff of farm radio noted that, at the end of the three day workshop , participants especially , the broadcasters are expected to come out with all information that will help farmers on climate change in their production.

Madam Rose added that, MoFA from their side must also come out with their thoughts that will help the farmers how to adopt strategy to improve on farming when there is a climate change.

We are expecting full implementation of what is discussed at this workshop presentation should be participatory, capacity building on climate change and getting ideas on how climate change program is designed and how to work with farmers in tackling climate change. She mentioned.

She further called on the need for gender balance in other to incorporate in climate change programs as well as how farmers will store and market their farm produce.

Broadcasters are expected at the end to acquire more knowledge on radio broadcasting, skills in dissemination of necessary information on climate change to intervention communication. Radio partners getting common language for climate change terminologies and helping farmers know the dangers in climate change and lastly Farm Radio hosting of more workshops to help broadcasters on how to handle climate change programs on radio.

Mr Emmanuel and Mr Nathanial Ofori all staff of Farm Radio International led to the overview of the workshop and the ICT role on the program respectively in the first day 18/03/14 at the conference hall of Farm Radio International Accra.