Published August 25, 2010 07:03
Meatco Namibia is investing N$ 260 000 into an agricultural radio program specifically aimed at keeping communal Namibian farmers abroad with agricultural issues.
The meat corporation confirmed its promise on paper earlier today when it signed a memorandum of agreement with Intu Media and Entertainment for the production of 48 half-hour programs to be broadcast over the next 12 months.
The program, Farmers’ Voice, will be broadcast weekly on the National Broadcasting Corporations’ (NBC) Owshiwambo, Setswana, Damara/Nama and Otjiherero services, reaching communal farmers in the most remote areas of the country. The goal is to breach the communication gap and strengthen the flow of information to and from previously disadvantaged famers as a vehicle for the development of rural agricultural activities.
Says the Project Manager of the Meatco Foundation, Mrs. Uschi Ramakhutla: “Effective and timely communication with our stakeholders remains a priority for Meatco. Farmers’ Voice has proven itself to be successful, not only in getting the Meatco messages out, but also by providing a platform for other role-players in the agricultural industry to inform, create awareness and, above all, educate communal farmers on industry related issues.”
She added that with time, Farmers’ Voice will be broadcast in even more languages as so to ensure all farmers have access to the service.
The pilot phase of Farmers’ Voice was launched in 2006 and after being tested on three languages services and proving popular amongst its listeners, the program was now re-launched.
Topics covered on Farmers’ Voice include agricultural news headlines, current issues regarding the industry, educational interviews with experts in the field, weekly meat prices and upcoming agricultural events.
Farmers’ Voice is designed not only give information to farmers, but also allow farmers to communicate amongst each other, for example when it comes to inviting fellow farmers to agricultural gatherings and/or meetings.
Farmers are invited to tune into the different NBC services at the following times to listen to Farmers’ Voice:
• Damara/ Nama: Thursdays at 21h00;
• Otjiherero: Thursdays at 21h00;
• Setswana: Thursdays at 21h00 and
• Oshiwambo: Mondays at 07h00.
Farmers’ Voice Program Manager, Mr Ben Kandukira and Meatco Acting Senior Manager: Corporate Communications and PR, Mrs. Uschi Ramakhutla confirming their commitment towards the production of 48 half-hour Farmers’ Voice programmes to the value of N$ 260 000.