“Journalists were eager to take advantage of future training opportunities. Most wanted to learn more production techniques — most also wanted to achieve a greater understanding of agriculture from a technical perspective; as well as how to better report on agriculture-related topics in their communities,” Moses Browne, USAID FED Liberia enterprise development radio specialist told AFKInsider.

“Many were interested in developing formal farm radio programs. Journalists were also interested in training related to sales and advertising for their stations. The ideal initial training format incorporated a blend of technical agricultural modules, production skills and special topical areas related to agriculture. Training sessions were practical, interactive and in-depth in order to impart significant skills to professional journalists,” he said.

Browne was one of two USAID FED Liberia radio specialists who in conjunction with two Liberian media professionals conducted the trainings. Initially, 32 journalists from Margibi, Bong, Bassa, Nimba, Montsserrado and Lofa Counties were to host programs — only 28 journalists from five counties showed up to complete the training.

Though the radio programming and farming resources haven’t reached this point, Browne says that journalists have suggested creating broadcasts that push the implementation of ICT access, media and agriculture stakeholder engagement, booklets which outline radio programming techniques and topics, in addition to USAID FED Liberia value chain initiative integration.

Drilling in news gathering tools, interactive radio and equipment training, USAID FED Liberia radio specialists brought the journalists up to standard through a structured education module centered on topics such as “75 ways to fix your radio program,” “Market Information Services in Farm Radio,” and “Interactive Farm Radio Production,” Browne said.

“Before USAID FED there was another USAID project called the Civil Society and Media Leadership program that worked to make community radio stations more functional, meaning they donated equipment as well as developed skills,” Luz added. “Now USAID FED is building on that project’s work to expand the scope of community journalism to actually bring information benefits to farmers in rural areas whose principle form of communication and information is through the local radio.”

USAID FED Liberia will encourage food security and the business growth of value chain commercialization through working with “input suppliers to establish agro-input dealers in rural areas,” Luz concluded. Aside from localization — creating opportunities for private sector investors to share cold chain, improved cultivation technology and warehouse costs among others is a priority.

Of course growing in this endeavor requires solid work in radio journalism — and successful receipt of that information by the farmers who need it most.

“The more agriculture reporting becomes part of day to day journalism, the more linkages will be created within the sector. Information is a small element of the value chain, albeit an important one.”