What is Farmer Voice Radio?

Farmer Voice Radio (FVR) represents a new, sustainable, model of agricultural extension that links extension officers, and farmers, with radio and other information and communication technologies to enhance farmer productivity and prosperity.

The FVR Extension System establishes innovative partnerships between field extension officers and broadcasters that eliminate the need to reach every farmer in person. As a complete agricultural extension system, FVR offers more than just a few radio programs on a limited number of topics. Through an interconnected set of unique components, it offers to each farmer participant regular (even daily), systematic (versus ad hoc) extension support, plus a voice at every phase – from needs assessment to knowledge sharing to programming feedback.  

Underpinning this model is an unprecedented sustainability strategy. FVR has successfully developed business partnerships among extension services, broadcasters and mobile network operators. Donor assistance supports model development and testing through local consortia. However, no direct operational funding is provided to core partners, reducing dependency. FVR has already demonstrated adoption rates that compare favorably with other radio campaigns, impacting audiences that are orders of magnitude larger than face-to-face methods can achieve, founded on a unique approach to sustaining the model after external funding ends.