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 Indonesia, which was led by the Aliansi Petani Indonesia (API), AFA member in Indonesia, in partnership with RKDem (Jaringan Radio Komunitas untuk Demokrasi).
Date: 5 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Empowering Fisher folk and Family Farming: Government Policies in Action
This episode discusses the experiences of Mr. Zainal Arifin, a crab catcher (fisherfolk) from Lamongan in the East Java province. During this interview, we explore the factors that hinder fisherfolk in the fishing business and other issues affecting the price of their catch. Additionally, Mr. Zainal also shares insights into the government’s role in supporting fisherfolk in his area and the hopes of the fishing community regarding government guarantees. The interview became even more engaging with the participation of Mr. Priadi, a researcher from IHCS (Indonesian Human Rights Committee for Social Justice). Priadi explains why fisherfolk have not been considered as part of family farming and a source of food fulfillment, and also outlines how to protect fisherfolk in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 11 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Cultivating the Future: Empowering Young Farmers in Indonesian Agriculture
In this episode, Mr. Ai Nurhidayat, a farmer and teacher at SMK Multicultural Bakti Karya, a vocational high school, highlights the role of Multicultural schools in promoting agriculture to young people. He emphasizes the need for policymakers to understand agriculture’s importance and suggests integrating it into school curricula to inspire youth to consider farming as a profession. The second interview with Mr. Irwan Budi, Head of Millennial Farmers in Madiun, discusses innovative initiatives to enhance agricultural education and marketing networks in their region. The proposed solution is to introduce agriculture at all educational levels in an engaging and creative way. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 21 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Harvesting Success: Farmer-Led Cooperatives and the Path to Family Farming Prosperity
This program highlights the significance of farmer-led cooperatives in enhancing agricultural productivity for food independence. Mr. Muhammad Rifa’i, Head of the Department of Agricultural Production Arrangement and Entrepreneurship at the Indonesian Peasants Alliance (API), discusses the support provided to cooperatives by API, with a focus on production and value chains. He outlines the motivations for farmers to join cooperatives and essential considerations for serving cooperative members. In the second interview, Mr. Suwarno, Chairperson of the Ketakasi cooperative in Jember, East Java, shares insights into the cooperative’s origins and the crucial aspects necessary for its members. He also provides information about the cooperative’s composition, main commodities, total membership, and strategies for exporting products to foreign markets. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 27 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Adapting Family Farming to Climate Change Challenges
In this episode, Mr. Andi Budi Santoso, a coffee farmer from Jarak Village in Jombang Regency, East Java, shares his experiences as a farmer and discusses his agricultural commodities. He expresses his concerns about the current weather conditions, the state of his plants, and the impact of climate on crop growth and yields. Mr. Andi also conveys his hopes for improved knowledge at the farm level, particularly in relation to climate change. Additionally, Professor Yunita, an anthropologist from the University of Indonesia and a Climate Field School Facilitator at the farmer level, delves into the detailed impacts of climate change, especially on the agricultural ecosystem. She highlights the various effects of climate change on farmers’ income and the economic well-being of farming families.
Date: 30 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Erosion of Green Revolution: Impact on Empowering Eco-Friendly Farmers
In this episode, we explore the insights of Mr. Subhan, a farmer and agricultural activist within the Nahdlatul Ulama institution. He provides an in-depth understanding of the Green Revolution, the changes it brought to the world of agriculture, how farmers have adapted in its aftermath, and the lasting impact on farmers. Mr. Subhan also highlights the current state of soil fertility, as recognized through research and farmers’ experiences, and discusses the government’s stance on present agricultural conditions. Additionally, Mr. Aditiajaya, a farmer and agricultural policy activist since the Green Revolution era, provides an overview of the Green Revolution’s historical context. He points out that despite Indonesia’s rich resources, it became a follower rather than a pioneer, leading to farmer dependency and a lack of government responsiveness in current policies. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 5 September 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Utilization of Narrow Land for Family Farming and Food Sovereignty
Noor Chasanah conducted an interview with Erliati Noor, a representative from SPR (People’s Companion Union) in West Sumatra. Erli shared her experiences regarding the initiation of commodities to be planted on farmers’ limited land and discussed the challenges faced by the farmers she assisted. Additionally, she highlighted the benefits that farmers derive from managing their narrow land. Erli also elaborated on the government’s response to SPR’s initiatives and their collaboration with the government in supporting smallholder farmers. In the second interview, Mas Sugiono, a young man with special needs, shared his experiences of raising ducks in his yard. Sugiono discussed the initial challenges of duck farming on limited land and provided insights into the size of the land he utilizes. He also addressed the obstacles and difficulties encountered in running a duck farm, offering valuable tips for beginners. Sugiono further discussed the government’s response and support for his business. For more details, tune in to JRKDEm radio. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 10 September 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Sorghum, Local Food Development to Strengthen Family Food Security
In this interview, Mama Loreta shared the history and knowledge of sorghum, discussing the key stakeholders involved and the timeline of sorghum development in her area. She highlighted how farmers introduced sorghum, its marketing strategies, and their expectations from Larantuka towards the government. The subsequent interview featured Mr. Muhammad Afairul Romadon, a sorghum farmer from Jombang, East Java, who further deepened our understanding of sorghum. Romadon explained his motivation for cultivating sorghum, emphasizing its benefits and applications in treating various diseases as an alternative food. He also discussed the progress of sorghum cultivation in his region and expressed his hopes for support from relevant parties in fostering the future development of sorghum. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 16 September 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Young Farmer Movement, Hope for the Future of Family Farming
The initial segment of this interview featured Naning Suprawati, a millennial farmer ambassador from Blitar, East Java. Naning recounted the history and purpose behind the formation of the millennial farmer generation forum. He expressed his aspirations for millennial farmers, particularly in light of the prevailing negative perception that agriculture does not promise a better future. Naning underscored the positive role of millennial farmer ambassadors in shaping the landscape of agriculture. The subsequent interview introduced Anas, a young farmer from Nganjuk, East Java. Anas commenced by narrating his journey of developing an interest in agriculture and elucidated on the reasons why the younger generation is hesitant to engage in farming. He conveyed the analogy of treating agriculture akin to caring for our bodies, emphasizing the significance of transforming the conventional and culturally ingrained practices of agriculture. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 23 September 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Food Diversification, Strengthening National Food Sovereignty
In this program, Noor Chasanah interviewed Mrs. Bibong from the Alifa Foundation. Mrs. Bibong explained the scope, objectives, and efforts of food diversification that align with consumption patterns (B2SA). She emphasized that food diversity can be achieved through the cultivation of a variety of plants by farmers, in accordance with local wisdom. Mrs. Bibong elaborated on the benefits of food diversification and underscored the importance of adopting local wisdom. The second interview featured Kang Nandang Heryana, a cassava farmer from Sumedang, West Java. Kang Nandang shared his experiences in promoting cassava as a local food diversification initiative. He discussed how he addressed the challenge of abundant raw materials by developing Mocaf flour as an alternative for food diversification. Kang Nandang also explained why Mocaf flour can serve as an alternative food staple alongside rice. In conclusion, he expressed his hopes to the government regarding the Mocaf products he produces. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 9 October 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Limited Access and Optimization of the Role of Women Farmers
In the concluding episode, API and JRKDem explore the theme “Limited Access and Optimization of the Role of Women Farmers.” Lily Batara from the People’s Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP) joins as a guest speaker, unveiling the history and crucial role of women in agriculture. Despite their significance in agricultural production, women farmers face under appreciation in resource management. Unequal treatment in government policies, rooted in patriarchal culture, leads to injustice in the agricultural value chain for women. The second interview features Asroful Uswatun, a successful female farmer entrepreneur from Jember, East Java. She shares insights into the challenges faced by women farmers in her area, her journey as an organic fruit farmer, and government support for her farming business. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 29 September 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Limited access and optimization of women’s role in family farming
In this episode, JRKDem radio, in collaboration with API and hosted by Noor Chasanah, interviews Mrs. Mubayyinah, a single parent and smallholder farmer from Banjarnegara, Central Java. She discusses her journey from lack of support to government assistance, shedding light on patriarchal culture and gender inequality in farming. Dwi Astuti from Bina Desa in Jakarta, the second speaker, shares research findings on inequality and injustice experienced by women in agriculture. She highlights the role of patriarchy and agricultural capitalism in causing disparities among farmers. Additionally, Dwi points out that government agricultural policies still predominantly center on the male head of the family. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 27 August 2023
Language of program: Bahasa Indonesia
Title of program: Adapting Family Farming to Climate Change Challenges
In this episode, Mr. Andi Budi Santoso, a coffee farmer from Jarak Village in Jombang Regency, East Java, shares his experiences as a farmer and discusses his agricultural commodities. He expresses his concerns about the current weather conditions, the state of his plants, and the impact of climate on crop growth and yields. Mr. Andi also conveys his hopes for improved knowledge at the farm level, particularly in relation to climate change. Additionally, Professor Yunita, an anthropologist from the University of Indonesia and a Climate Field School Facilitator at the farmer level, delves into the detailed impacts of climate change, especially on the agricultural ecosystem. She highlights the various effects of climate change on farmers’ income and the economic well-being of farming families. Click here to listen to this episode
About ComDev Asia
Communication for Development (ComDev) is a people-centred communication approach integrating participatory processes and media ranging from community radio to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). It aims to actively involve local stakeholders in development efforts. The World Congress on Communication for Development and the FAO Expert Consultation on Communication for Rural Development called for increased capacity development and knowledge sharing efforts.The Asian region has been home to inspiring initiatives in the field of communication for development and local practitioners have many stories to tell, lessons to share and issues to discuss. We believe that this wealth of knowledge can be a great resource to upgrade capacities, foster collaborations and increase the impact of ComDev in the region.
ComDev Asia intends to become a dynamic and interactive community of practice that facilitates dialogue, strengthens collaborations and advocates for the role of communication in agriculture and rural development. This interactive hub will help institutions and professionals working in the region to connect, systematize lessons learned, document impact, explore new partnership opportunities or strengthen already existing alliances. ComDev Asia showcases good practices and lessons learned on ComDev applied to rural development challenges in Asia and the Pacific. We regularly post ComDev-related news and updates keeping an eye on what’s going on in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as multimedia resources and useful links. Registered members can connect through the ComDev community, participating in thematic group discussions and online exchanges with colleagues based in Asia and in other regions worldwide.
Go to https://comdevasia.org/ for more information.
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