RADIO TO
THE RESCUE :
WEST AFRICAN
FARMERS ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Yusuf Lawan Abubakar a hibiscus farmer in Nigeria listening to one of the radio programmes on climate-smart practices
Yusuf Lawan Abubakar a hibiscus farmer in Nigeria listening to one of the radio programmes on climate-smart practices
Timely access to reliable information on weather patterns, climate-smart practices, and pest and disease control can be a game changer for smallholder farmers, especially as more frequent and extreme weather events take a toll. Solidaridad in West Africa is using radio to directly reach rural communities with advice and support to adapt their practices.
Smallholder farmers across West Africa are working to adapt to a changing climate, but inadequate training services, limited internet connectivity, and literacy barriers exacerbate the challenges they face. Without access to crucial information and insights, many struggle with low yields, post-harvest losses, and declining incomes that threaten livelihoods and food security.
Solidaridad has turned to radio as a key tool in bridging the knowledge gap by providing smallholder farmers with the real-time agricultural advice needed to adapt and sustain their businesses. Programmes are aired in local languages across the region to educate, engage, and empower farmers to ensure no farmer is left behind.
The programmes mix expert interviews, farmer call-in sessions, education and opportunities for farmers to engage with presenters and guests via chat. Key topics include:
- Climate-smart agricultural techniques to help farmers optimize water use, adopt organic fertilizers, and implement soil conservation strategies.
- Early warning systems that equip farmers with weather forecasts to plan planting and harvesting schedules effectively.
- Sustainable land management to discourage deforestation and promote reforestation efforts to combat soil degradation.
- Market access and financial literacy to educate farmers on fair pricing, financial management, and sustainable agribusiness models.
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Transforming lives across the airwaves
In Nigeria, support from the Lorna Young Foundation and Twinings Sourced with Care Programme has enabled the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and provided market information to ginger and hibiscus farmers in Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa states. The radio programme reaches approximately 80,000 farmers in the states.
The participatory and engaging nature of radio allows farmers to voice their challenges, and learn from other farmers’ experiences as experts provide practical solutions. This ensures that content resonates with a wide range of listeners.
“In the 2023 season, we lost most of our crops to a disease that was difficult to manage. But with the knowledge from the radio programme, we have been able to adopt practices that prevented such diseases and losses.”
“We don’t just listen; we practice what we learn from the radio programme. Solidaridad also established a demonstration farm within our community where we can see firsthand what was discussed on the radio and implement those practices on our farms.”
Another programme in Nigeria, the Sustainable Development Goal Project (SDGP), combines radio programmes with field training sessions to strengthen the capacity of fruit and vegetable farmers. This integrated approach significantly improved the yields and incomes of 46,000 farmers across 12 local government areas between 2020 and 2024.
Reaching rural farmers on a regional level
In Ghana, 1,600 shea nut collectors and processors across 10 communities in the Northern region have improved health and safety practices and deepened their knowledge of deforestation risks through the “Kpihi Saha”, or Shea Nut Time radio programme. The programme is supported by the “Strengthening the Sustainability of the Shea Supply Chain in Northern Ghana” project. Read their story here.
Radio has also been used to reach thousands of cocoa farmers in Ghana to educate them on the benefits of shade-grown cocoa-farming. The programme helps farmers learn how to improve yields and protect biodiversity. Since its beginning, numerous farmers have adopted the techniques.
In Sierra Leone, Solidaridad collaborated with civil society groups and partners through the RECLAIM Sustainability! Programme to reach cocoa and oil palm farmers via radio. Farmers learned about the Forestry Policy 2010, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, and the Women's Empowerment Act (GEWE), and related laws that ensure equal land access and ownership rights for both men and women to invest in agriculture.
“Radio is crucial to our work, especially for reaching remote farming communities"
Over the years, Solidaridad has also leveraged radio to teach farmers how to safeguard their farms against bushfires, which often destroy their livelihoods. This initiative has protected numerous oil palm, cashew, and cocoa farms with support from Solidaridad and development partners.
Shea nut collectors receive solar-powered radios at an event in Ghana.
Shea nut collectors receive solar-powered radios at an event in Ghana.
A farmer in Côte d'Ivoire tends to his tree nursery
A farmer in Côte d'Ivoire tends to his tree nursery
Farmers in Nigeria tending to their ginger planting
Farmers in Nigeria tending to their ginger planting
The advantages of radio outreach
Unlike posters or television, radio reaches farmers regardless of literacy levels. It keeps them informed about industry advancements and best practices in agroforestry and regenerative agriculture.
In Côte d'Ivoire, farmers who once relied on traditional, climate-vulnerable methods have transitioned to more sustainable approaches thanks to radio education. Local radio stations in the country have played a crucial role in disseminating information on new deforestation standards and regulations. Even remote communities receive these vital updates in their local languages.
Radio jingles in local languages are another important tool that can have a huge impact. Catchy hooks provide farmers with essential knowledge on post-harvest handling and value addition, ensuring they maximize the value of their produce. These targeted broadcasts have enhanced farmer incomes and strengthened their resilience against climate-induced losses. Listen to an example in Twi, a local language in Ghana.
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Strengthening Radio's Role in Climate Action
These broadcasts have become a lifeline, equipping growers with the knowledge needed to adapt to climate challenges and build more resilient farms. As the threats of climate change continue to grow, radio will be an indispensable tool to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Solidaridad is committed to expanding its radio outreach, developing community-driven radio content, and collaborating with local stations to deepen farmers' understanding of climate adaptation strategies.
On this World Radio Day, we reaffirm our commitment to using radio as a force for good—one that informs, inspires, and empowers rural farmers to thrive in the face of climate change.
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