Ho, Nov. 15, GNA - Radio broadcasters have been urged to produce and broadcast innovative and interactive farmer-based programmes to farmers in their catchment areas. Such programmes should enable smallholder farmers to address food security challenges, Mr. Benjamin Fiafor, National Coordinator of African Farm Radio Research Initiative (AFRRI) made the call at workshop for 20 radio broadcasters in Ho at the weekend.

It was organized by AFRRI and funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with participants drawn from Ghana, Mali, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. It was under the theme: "Giving voice to farmers, farmers first, farmers all the way".

The six-day workshop was to build the capacity of participants to support and manage radio programmes for farmers. Mr. Fiafor said different types of programmes such as phone-in and phone-out shows, mini dramas and discussions could be used to help listeners to make informed decisions about their livelihoods.

He said AFRRI had signed a memorandum of understanding and an activity agreement with selected partner radio stations in the country for the implementation of an action research project to assist farmers in Ghana. Mr. Fiafor appealed to farmers to cultivate the habit of listening to radio programmes on farming to enable them to acquire expertise to improve their output. Mr. Anani Gbadago, a participant said the knowledge they have acquired at the workshop would assist them to meet the information needs of farmers. Topics treated at the workshop include community research and involvement, farm radio programming and presentation, equipment and technical skills and management and evaluation of farm radio programmes.