Tanzania government starts radio program to help farmers access markets

TANZANIA government in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organization called the Rural Livelihoods Development Company (RLDC) has established radio program aimed at improving farmers’ income and increasing marketing awareness among farmers in the country. According to RLDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Ogutu, the move is meant to equip farmers in all corners of the country with information related to markets. In most cases, farmers do not have enough information about markets, this was after an in-depth study was done, therefore in view of this, the company in collaboration with the government has resolved to support them especially those in central corridor by way of providing trainings through radio programs.
The weekly programs have already been started and are aired on Radio Free Africa with its stations based in Mwanza city in northern Tanzania. According to him, various studies have proved that radio programs was the best and most affordable means to communicate with farmers in remote areas. The aims of the programs, however would encourage rural farmers to actively engaged in productive agricultural activities because currently farmers in the country are wasting a lot of energy in sectors in sectors which are productive enough to support their families. The program would promote them by voicing out their experiences or problems and in this way, the government and other development partners would be able to intervene. RLDC is jointly supported by the Swiss and Tanzania governments and it’s currently working in six regions of Manyara, Tabora, Dodoma, Morogoro, Singida and Shinyanga.