The United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF 2019-28) recognizes the role of communication as a driver to advance sustainable food systems and the need to increase awareness about the central role that family farmers play for the future of our planet. In particular, rural radio is still the most widely used medium for sharing information with rural audiences.
Within this framework, the Rural Radio Initiative 2023 was implemented in Asia using a participatory approach involving farmers’ associations, community media and development institutions. Farmers’ organizations in the region have actively participated in the design of radio programmes, defining topics, broadcast schedules, and interviewees, as well as contributing to overall radio programming.
The initiative has generated people-centred radio programs addressing family farmers’ needs and priorities and have been broadcasted through dozens of radio stations in rural areas, reaching millions of farmers globally.
Listen to the radio programmes developed under the Rural Radio Initiative 2023 in the India, which was led by the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), one of the national implementing agency of APFP-FO4A in India, in partnership with SEWA Valino Radio.
Date: 2 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: About forgotten food crops
At present, crops are disappearing due to climate change. Jashiben explained the importance of our forgotten crops, which are more suitable for the current environment, through a song to convey understanding to the members. In this song, they mentioned how the forgotten food crop is healthier and more nutritious than other crops. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 4 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Soil testing, Seed treatment
In recent years, there has been a rampant and prolonged use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in farming. Consequently, soil fertility has significantly declined, rendering the soil infertile. This issue is prevalent across many districts in Gujarat, India. In this program, Soma Bhai, delves into crucial topics such as soil testing methods, optimal sowing times, interpreting soil test reports, and embracing organic approaches like seed treatment and the preparation of bijamrut for enhanced seed treatment. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 6 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Spice Market Connections
Radhanpur, situated in a dry land area, perennially grapples with water scarcity. The majority of farmers in this district cultivate cumin. Previously, they employed chemical fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in elevated production costs. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about proper agricultural practices led to diminished yields. To address these challenges, Sakhiben, sheds light on the significance of organic farming. She emphasizes how embracing organic practices not only helps farmers produce high-quality seeds but also reduces the overall cost of production. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 10 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Agro Input Centre
This is the continuation of previous topic. Jasoda Ben also run the agro input centre in narichana village of surendrannagar district. She explained the important and how she can take initiative to start this centre and earn the money for their livelihood. Also they explain about sustainable plant practises. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 12 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Collective farming
The majority of SEWA’s members, primarily engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, are small and marginal farmers facing challenges of low crop production and high operational costs. To address these issues, Sarojben emphasizes cost reduction through group purchasing of seeds and fertilizers and collective selling of products in the market. Drawing from her experience with a successful potato farming group in Anand district, she shares a confidence-inspiring success story, encouraging farmers to adopt collective farming practices. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 14 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Forgotten food and its importance – 1
This program is about the importance of our forgotten crops which are more suitable in the current environment were presented through the song to convey the understanding to the members. In this song also, they mentation that the how forgotten food crop is healthy and more nutritious than other crops. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 16 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Forgotten food and its importance – 2
In the midst of changing climates and rising junk food consumption, the adverse health effects on women, such as diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure, are becoming evident. Reverting to nutritious, forgotten crops like Bajra, sorghum, finger millet, and kodo millet, which require minimal fertilizer, pesticides, and withstand adverse climatic conditions, is crucial. Jashodaben, a farmer cultivating these crops, and grassroots leader Ranjanben, are spearheading awareness efforts among our members, emphasizing the importance and sharing their experiences with these forgotten food crops. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 18 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Marketing linkage of vegetables
Small and marginal farmers perpetually grapple with market crises as their lower quantities result in low prices upon harvest. Jashiben addresses this issue by sharing her experience initiating a vegetable shop in Ahmedabad district. Through SEWA, vegetables from small and marginal farmers are purchased and sold at the village level, ensuring fair prices for farmers and providing fresh produce to our members. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 20 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Organic farming
Increasingly, farmers are facing health issues due to the rising use of chemical pesticides. Transitioning from chemical to organic farming is crucial. Bhavnaben explains the process of making organic pesticides on the farm, highlighting its benefits in reducing input costs for farmers. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 22 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Organic farming 2
In this audio, Sumitra Ben sings a song and explains the importance of organic farming and sustainable plant practices. She discusses intercropping, trap cropping, the significance of forgotten food crops, the importance of certified seeds, and the use of organic pesticides. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 24 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Experience of a landless farmer
In this program, Pushpaben sheds light on maintaining a clear sky and discusses actions needed to keep our homes, villages, and agriculture clean. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of biogas plants and solar equipment. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 26 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: How to make Aonla candy
In this program, the sister is explaining the method of making Aonla candy. There are many Aonla trees in the village of Mahesana and Chhotaudepur district. The direct sale of Aonla fruit does not fetch sufficient prices. Therefore, if the method of making Aonla candy reaches the sisters, they can produce and sell it in the market, thereby increasing the income of the members. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 28 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Side effect of chemical insecticide and pesticide
In this audio, Bhavnaben from Chhotaudepur district explains the damage caused by the use of chemical pesticides and insecticides. Consuming grains produced after excessive use of chemicals in crops has led to an increase in the number of diseases in humans. Diseases like cancer and diabetes have risen at a young age. The audio provides information on the side effects of chemical insecticides and pesticides, and it also explains the method of making biological insecticide (amritpani). This information is very useful for our female members. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 30 September, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Law of land – Sampadak
The Land Acquisition Act came into effect in India in 2014. According to this rule, the government approves the acquisition of any pasture land in the village with the consent of the Gram Sabha or panchayat. The acquisition can be made without the signature of any of the members of the village. The compensation for this land will be twice the market price in the village and four times in the city. However, this has not really happened. So, awareness among the people of the village is important. This rule was not easily understood by the farmers. SEWA has converted it into simple language and conveyed it to all the landholders, which is presented through this audio. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 4 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Cultivation practices of cotton
Many farmers in Mahesana, Kutch, Aravalli, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Bodeli, Surendranagar, and Patan districts are growing cotton crops. In this audio, the cultivation practices of the cotton crop are explained through a conversation with a professor from Kherawa University. Bharatbhai and Rameshbhai are both subject specialists. They provide comprehensive information, covering everything from land preparation to harvesting of the crop, including the names of certified varieties. This aims to create awareness and provide proper information about the crops. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 6 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Importance of soil testing
Soil testing is crucial for understanding the fertilizer requirements of crops and the overall health of the soil. Small and marginal farmers are often unaware of the significance of soil testing. This program aims to raise awareness about the importance of soil testing and the methods involved in conducting such tests. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 8 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Identification of sick and healthy animals
Many farmers in India engage in animal husbandry alongside agriculture. Sometimes, the animal rarer may not realize when an animal is sick, leading to an increase in disease rates. Therefore, it is imperative to determine whether the animal is healthy or diseased. In this video, Meetaben explains the symptoms of healthy and diseased animals. She elaborates on the characteristics of a diseased animal, such as decreased milk production, droopy eyes or nose, dry skin, hair loss, a preference for solitude, and the presence of blood in milk. Additionally, she notes that the body may feel warm, and irregular breathing may be observed. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 12 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: “Rudi”- door-to-door visiting
SEWA works in remote villages. Initially, it was observed that women in the interior villages struggled to find their daily necessities of food, and when available, the quality was subpar. Consequently, the sisters faced challenges in obtaining nutritious food for their daily lives. Taking the initiative, SEWA launched “Rudi,” a program where goods were sourced from small farmers, thoroughly cleaned, and then sold door-to-door by the sisters in the village. This not only provided employment for women but also ensured that village sisters could access essential materials for their homes. The details of this initiative are presented in this audio. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 14 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Story of empowered women
This is the story of the sisters from Ganeshpura village in Mehsana district, who began their journey by working on a nursery in a wasteland and eventually established a complete eco-tourism site. Through this song, the sisters narrate their entire journey, aiming to inspire other women on how to create employment opportunities by transforming unused land in the village. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 16 October, 2023
Language of program: Gujarati
Title of program: Minimize the use of chemicals in farming
Currently, the climate is undergoing significant changes, and the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture is escalating daily. This trend is adversely affecting the land, air, water, and human health. Creating awareness among people to minimize the use of chemicals in farming and advocating for responsible water usage is crucial to preserve the environment. In this regard, the sisters gather information through the song “Use Thoughtfully,” which not only addresses the importance of mindful resource usage but also narrates SEWA’s journey. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 17 October, 2023
Language of program: English
Title of program: Agro Input Centre
Program description: In this program, two presenters, Shushilaben and her sister, engage in a Q&A session. Shushilaben, who manages an agro-input centre in Narichana village, Surendranagar district, shares insights into its importance and details her initiative in starting the centre to not only contribute to sustainable farming practices but also to generate income for livelihood. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 18 October, 2023
Language of program: English
Title of program: Marketing linkage of vegetables
Program description: Small and marginal farmers perpetually grapple with market crises as their lower quantities result in low prices upon harvest. Jashiben addresses this issue by sharing her experience initiating a vegetable shop in Ahmedabad district. Through SEWA, vegetables from small and marginal farmers are purchased and sold at the village level, ensuring fair prices for farmers and providing fresh produce to our members. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 22 October, 2023
Language of program: English
Title of program: Collective farming
The majority of SEWA’s members, primarily engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, are small and marginal farmers facing challenges of low crop production and high operational costs. To address these issues, Sarojben emphasizes cost reduction through group purchasing of seeds and fertilizers and collective selling of products in the market. Drawing from her experience with a successful potato farming group in Anand district, she shares a confidence-inspiring success story, encouraging farmers to adopt collective farming practices. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 25 October, 2023
Radio: SEWA: Valino Radio?
Language of program: English
Title of program: Experience of a landless farmer
Program description: In this program, Pushpaben sheds light on maintaining a clear sky and discusses actions needed to keep our homes, villages, and agriculture clean. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of biogas plants and solar equipment. Click here to listen to this episode
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