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 Philippines, which was led by the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), one of the farmers’ organizations implementing the APFP-FO4A in the Philippines, in partnership with Radyo Pilipinas 96.9 FM.
Date: 8 October 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Problems of small fisher folk and farmers
This program addresses the challenges encountered by small fisher folk and farmers across the Philippines. The discussion revolves around trade liberalization and the limited access to technical assistance and services, identified as obstacles to achieving and securing decent wages and livelihoods for agricultural workers. PKSK is actively engaged in organizing with the sector and reinforcing rural organizations to assist farmers and fisher folk in overcoming these barriers. The hosts and guests emphasize the significance of organizational development and the need for robust, sustained organizing to ensure that rural workers can access various forms of support from both the government and civil society. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 15 October 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Women in agriculture: opportunity and challenge
This program discusses the shift from recognizing gendered unpaid care work to redistributing care responsibilities across gender lines, challenging the prevailing notion that care work is less valuable than other contributions to a household. Daryl highlights that many of the oppressions experienced by rural women are pervasive across various aspects of life, from everyday language to the social activities engaged in by both men and women. In addressing the specific challenges faced by rural women, TL, Roger, and Daryl delve into aspects of rural life that impose a heavier burden on women engaged in reproductive work. They cite the use of firewood as cooking fuel and climate events such as droughts as factors that pose challenges to empowering women in the sector. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 22 October 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Sustainable agriculture practices
This program explores the experiences of Jed and Roger. Jed, identifying himself as a development worker, permaculturist, and sustainable agriculture activist like TL, recounts how he conceived the idea for Bahay Teknik while working in a non-governmental organization focused on appropriate technologies. He dedicated his efforts to simplifying complex sustainable technologies, making them accessible for learning and application in rural households. Jed and Roger engage in a discussion about the evolution of composting, originally introduced only at the barangay/local government level but now applicable to individual households. Furthermore, Jed and Roger discuss the environmental impact of conventional agriculture, emphasizing its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. They underscore the role of agriculture as the second-largest emitting sector, following industry. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 29 October 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Challenges of youth farmers
In this episode, hosts Roger and TL are joined by Junneil Obusan, a young farmer leader from the Camarines Norte Federation of Cooperatives. The trio engages in a brief discussion about the challenges faced by young farmers in the country, particularly the prevalent discouragement from their parents to pursue farming. Junneil highlights the issue of agricultural land being lost to real estate development or sold to traders when aging farmers lack successors or children to inherit their practices. In response to these challenges, CANOFECO has been actively supporting young farmers by offering technical and organizational assistance. Junneil emphasizes that without support from the government and civil society, young people may not be inclined to pursue farming. Consequently, CANOFECO’s programs for young farmers aim to provide the necessary support to encourage agriculture among the younger generation of Filipinos. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 5 November 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Concepts of permaculture
In this episode, Roger and TL are joined by Rogelio “Ka Ogie” Barbaran, a founding board member of Camarines Norte Permaculture Agricultural Cooperative and a mentor to TL in the realm of permaculture. TL, Ogie, and Roger guide the audience through fundamental concepts in permaculture, exploring the different “zones” within a permaculture farm. Although permaculture is not widely practiced in Philippine agriculture, advocates like the hosts and their guest affirm its utility and elegance. The episode delves into principles such as zoning, multipurpose functionality, and design aligned with nature. The discussion concludes with key takeaways, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to nature and fostering diversity as central tenets of permaculture that can benefit Philippine farmers. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 12 November 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Urban gardening and agricultural technologies
In this episode of, Roger and TL are joined by Eden Naing, along with Kaye Pangilinan from Urban Gardening and Agricultural Technologies (UGAT). Kaye, Eden, TL, and Roger engage in playful banter, discussing TL’s life story and the inception of UGAT, a sustainable agriculture-focused enterprise and training site established by TL, Kaye, and Eden during the pandemic. They share insights into the organization’s activities, including training other farmers and advocates in organic farming and processing products from their demo farm, uniquely situated in an urban area. Kaye and Eden also elaborate on the benefits of urban farming, not only for individual homeowners in the city but also for communities near or in urban areas seeking to improve their access to quality food. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 19 November 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Experience of young farmer
Jumer shared with hosts Roger and TL how he discovered that he fell into the category of a young farmer when he was part of GPPC (Golden Parauma Producers Coop). Having been accustomed to engaging in farm work with his father from a young age, Jumer discussed how realizing his young farmer status empowered him. This realization motivated him to encourage fellow young individuals to contribute to sustaining and developing Philippine agriculture into the future. The hosts discussed several important points with Jumer, including the need for young people to reflect on their priorities. Jumer emphasized that many young individuals require critical realizations to alter their perspectives on farming. Drawing from his experience as a community organizer, TL shared that finding people to engage in conversations with is an effective method to inspire commitment to the movement of promoting agriculture among young people. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 26 November 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Promoting sustainable agriculture
On this special episode, TL invites cultural performers, artists, and musicians from across the country to showcase original music in celebration of culture and agriculture. This episode highlights performances by artists affiliated with the Maharlika Artist and Writers Federation, as well as other advocates of sustainability and environmental protection who are actively involved in the arts and music scenes in their respective localities. Throughout the program, TL is joined by various local artists who infuse messages of solidarity with farmers, development workers, and fellow artists into their music and works. They engage in discussions about the vital role of art in creating platforms for various advocacies, including the promotion of sustainable agriculture, to flourish in society and reach a broad audience. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 3 December 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Support young farmers
In this episode, TL and Roger are joined by Dhonald Jay Veraña, a friend from their local young farmer’s network. Dhonald, a teacher by profession and a public servant currently serving as a local councilperson, shares his journey of becoming an advocate for youth involvement in agriculture. He discusses his involvement with various organizations dedicated to supporting young farmers in the Bicol region. TL, Roger, and Dhonald delve into the significance of establishing diverse mechanisms to support young farmers based on their individual life situations. They also emphasize the importance of instilling in young individuals, particularly students, and an awareness of balancing their various interests. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 10 December 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Coconut Farmers Program of PCA
In this episode, TL and Roger invite Katherine Bongcayao onto the program. Katherine, TL, and Roger discuss some of the details of the PCA’s Coconut Farmer and Industry Development Program (CFIDP). Katherine shares information about some of the programs under the larger CFIDP, which include various services made available to coconut farmers and coconut farmer organizations as part of the operationalization of utilizing the Coco Levy fund. This fund had been withheld from Filipino coconut farmers for decades. The CFIDP is using the fund to support service delivery to coconut farmers registered in the National Coconut Farmers Registry System. The trio goes back and forth on what might be required to avail CFIDP benefits and what benefits are made available to coconut farmers, resulting in a highly informative episode on government initiatives for farmers that might sometimes be less visible to the wider public. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 15 December 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Fisher folk agenda and ATIN ITO Movement
In this episode, TL and Roger are joined by PKSK Chairperson Ruperto “Ka Uper” Aleroza. A longtime organizer of municipal fisher folk in the Philippines, Ka Uper joins TL and Roger to inform the audience about pertinent matters affecting small fisher folk and, in turn, the food security of the Filipino people. Ka Uper also briefly discusses his involvement in the recent West Philippine Sea – Atin Ito movement, which aimed to bring urgent supplies and Christmas care packages to frontlines at the West Philippine Sea facing harassment from China. The trio highlights the importance of making fisher folk and other frontlines of Philippine sovereignty, like the coast guard and maritime police, feel supported by the public despite a lack of strong government action. Click here to listen to this episode
Date: 17 December 2023
Language of program: Filipino, English
Title of program: Youth in agriculture
In this special English-language episode, TL and Roger invite Toni Dominique “Tonic” Madulid to speak about her experience in COP28. Tonic introduces herself as a young development practitioner and the executive director of a youth-led organization pushing for a just energy transition, Reboot Philippines. Tonic introduces Reboot Philippines and its initiatives for a Just Energy Transition, emphasizing the importance of engaging sectors and communities that might be most affected by the development of renewable energy in the Philippines, namely farmers and communities in rural areas. In pursuit of a just transition, Reboot Philippines has partnered with different rural development organizations like PKSK and CARET to implement Strengthening Women’s Economic Empowerment and Just Energy Transitions for Community and Climate Resilience by Expanding its Reach, a project intended to enhance economic opportunities for rural women while building capacity for communities to push for a just energy transition at the local level. 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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