Participatory Communications Network (PCN) Africa, the publisher of Animal People magazine, through The Feed the Future, Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity (KCDMS) programme, has entered into a partnership and a formal working relationship with 13 radio stations in Kenya.
These radio stations include Athaini FM, County FM, Mwanedu FM, Radio Lake Victoria, Radio Mikayi, Radio Ratego, Emuria FM, West FM, Sema FM, Gulf Radio, Radio Rameny, Milambo FM and Kisii FM.
The radio stations were selected in 12 pilot counties namely; Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Homabay, Migori and Kisii.
This partnership came as a golden opportunity for PCN as it would enhance the capacities of local radio stations to develop agricultural led programs to enable them disseminate information on market linkages in the dairy and horticulture sectors, good agricultural practices and productivity-enhancing inputs and technologies, access to credit and financial services, and nutritious diets with adequate dietary diversity.
“Today’s event comes at an important juncture where we use this MOU to formalize our partnership and support the local radio stations that we are set to work with. I would like to assure you of KCDMS’s commitment in supporting the local radio stations with agricultural content in order to tackle issues that affect the community who come in as the listeners.”, RTI Deputy Chief of Party, Rita Laker Ojok. This was during the MOU signing ceremony between PCN Africa, RTI and Athiani FM. The ceremony was the very first at RTI offices, a sign of welcome to the remaining radio stations to sign their MOUs.
“Community radios are operated, owned and influenced by the communities they serve. They provide a mechanism for enabling individuals, groups and communities to tell their own stories and experiences in a media rich world. PCN having worked with the community radio stations at the grassroots before, will ensure capacity building in these radio stations to enable them become better content creators for their listeners.”, PCN Africa Director, Dr. Godfrey Munyekenye.
Athiani FM that broadcasts from Makueni county in Kamba language was the first among the selected radio stations to sign the MOU and was delighted to come into the partnership. “This MOU is a big milestone for Athiani FM as it has established a common intention of the three organisations to work together”, John Mark Nzomo, the lead in Marketing and PRM at Athiani Holdings Limited.
By the end of this program in October 2020, the local radio stations will have well established agricultural led programs and well knowledgeable presenters, in matters agriculture. PCN hopes to have an influence the radio stations’ content and sign- post important and influential change within communities of influence.
At Animal People, we have more exciting radio work coming up that we would like our readers to be part of. Keep it Animal People and remember to share this piece widely in your networks.
