Radio Listeners Clubs Boosts Climate Resilience for Bean Farmers in Tanzania
On the sidelines of the ECREA project, FADECO Radio and Radio Huguka held a workshop in Karagwe and Kigoma (Tanzania) to establish Radio Listeners Clubs. This initiative aims to increase farmers' engagement and climate resilience by providing tailored weather information.
By: Joseline Kiogora, Desire Kagabo, Livingstone Byandaga, Patrick Mvuyibwami, Chris Ngige
In Tanzania, where agriculture sustains the livelihoods of many communities, the impacts of climate change - such as recent prolonged drought spells and extreme floods experienced across East Africa - are increasingly felt by farmers. These extreme weather events threaten crop yields and food security, highlighting the urgent need for localized and accurate climate information to help farmers adapt.
Like their counterparts in other East African countries, Tanzanian farmers often struggle with access to relevant weather and climate information, hindering their ability to effectively manage risks associated with bad or poor weather in a cropping season for better agricultural production. Drawing inspiration from the success of a similar initiative in Rwanda, where over 100,000 farmers are being reached with Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS), the Enhancing Climate Resilience in East Africa (ECREA) project is pioneering a transformative approach to disseminating WCIS in Tanzania through Radio Listeners Clubs. At the forefront of this initiative is Radio Huguka from Rwanda and FADECO radio, a community radio station with an audience of over 7 million people in Tanzania.
Recently, during a Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) workshop in Karagwe and Kigoma region, FADECO radio - a key partner in the ECREA project - benefited from the interactive workshop training sessions held on the sidelines of the main event. Participants from FADECO radio were trained by their counterparts from Radio Huguka on establishing Radio Listeners Clubs across the Great Lake Victoria region of Tanzania. These clubs will feature multidisciplinary members and ensure gender inclusion. Other activities are scheduled for implementation in the subsequent quarters to enhance discussions and co-produce content tailored to local needs.
ECREA is leveraging the successful model piloted in Rwanda, where Listeners Clubs harness the combined reach of broadcast media and participatory processes. In this model, 225 clubs were created, and Farmer Promoters/Champions were trained to lead weekly village meetings where they listened to and discussed climate information service radio programs. They actively participated in live call-in shows, shared and recorded their action plans based on their learnings, and disseminated this information within their communities. This approach is being adapted to enhance climate information dissemination and resilience efforts in Tanzania.
Brigitte Uwamariya, Deputy Director of Radio Huguka, Rwanda, training her counterparts at FADECO Radio, Tanzania, on how to establish Radio Listeners Clubs while emphasizing the role of these clubs in raising farmers' voices and increasing climate awareness.
The Radio Listeners Clubs approach includes an editorial committee tasked with producing content tailored to the local context of the listeners for broadcast. This committee features multidisciplinary representation from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Systems (NMHS), National Agricultural Research Institutions (NARS), agricultural extension services, and other project partners. Their role is to translate weather and agricultural advisories into accessible formats, customizing them for various contexts and ensuring timely discussions relevant to different activities and seasons. This approach ensures that these clubs effectively disseminate information that is practical and pertinent to local farming communities, enhancing their resilience to climate change and variability.
The collaborative model involving government bodies, research institutions, and meteorological services ensures sustainable agricultural practices and creates a scalable framework for other regions. This approach promises a broader impact and long-term sustainability. By integrating farmers and private sector entities such as community radios (FADECO and Huguka) into the ECREA project, the model supports profitable business opportunities and enhances farmers' productivity and profitability. For community radio stations, increased listenership and improved quality of content boosts their trust and credibility. This, in turn, motivates station owners to invest further in climate information services, recognizing their significant business potential.
Listeners clubs play a crucial role in raising the voices of farmers and increasing climate information awareness, which is essential for building climate resilience. A prime example of this impact was the live talk show at FADECO Radio in Tanzania, which captivated a large audience. Invited by the director of FADECO Radio, Joseph Sekeku, the show featured the ECREA project team led by Project Lead Desire Kagabo, alongside officials from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority and Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute. This collaboration highlighted the critical role of radio in disseminating vital agro-climate advisories to farmers.
During the broadcast, community members actively called in to express their willingness to attend the PICSA Lite workshop. They also showed great interest in accessing and learning how to use weather information. This enthusiastic response highlighted the community’s eagerness to engage with climate information and training opportunities. The live show boosted ECREA project awareness and showcased radio's effectiveness in disseminating vital agricultural climate advisories. For instance, Evaria Leonidas, a farmer from Karagwe, called in during the live show and shared her experience: "This opportunity provided by Radio FADECO to speak directly to representatives from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. It has given me the chance to access weather information firsthand." Additionally, farmers were provided with contact numbers for TMA officials, enabling them to directly inquire about location-specific weather information.
This initiative has facilitated better communication, addressing a significant challenge, and has greatly improved the availability of weather information for farmers. James Elias, another caller, said, "I can't believe that I am now able to call the authority and get all the weather information I need to make sound decisions for my farm."
More than 100 callers responded during the broadcast, providing valuable feedback, although only a few could be accommodated due to time constraints. Nonetheless, this huge response showed farmers' eagerness to engage with agro-climate advisories through radio broadcasts. This interactive platform ensures that farmers are not passive recipients but active participants in dialogue, fostering a more informed and resilient farming community.
Live talk show at FADECO Radio with guests from Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT led by the ECREA Project Team Lead Desire Kagabo and Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), highlighting Radio Listeners Clubs' role in raising farmer voices and increasing climate awareness.
The ECREA project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Met Office's Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) programme, is leading collaborative efforts to customize weather and climate services for smallholder farmers across East Africa - specifically in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Implemented by the Alliance, the project works with local radio stations like Radio Huguka and FADECO radio, as well as national meteorological and agricultural research systems, digital companies, and telecommunications firms. This collective effort aims to empower farmers with essential knowledge and tools to navigate climate variability and make informed decisions. The project aims to reach at least 3 million farmers by 2025. It also establishes a framework that integrates FADECO Radio and other stakeholders, previously lacking clear mechanisms for community engagement, to co-create tailored radio programs that meet local needs. This approach amplifies farmers' voices, driving collective action towards a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
The Team
Desire Kagabo
Project Leader
Livingstone Byandaga
Research Specialist
