©FAO/ Agricultural Practices within PROMOVE

20 February 2024- In a pioneering initiative, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched in February «Kianda», the innovative radio drama that aims to raise awareness and empower smallholder farmers and rural communities in Nampula and Zambézia provinces about best agricultural practices in times of climate change.

Recognizing radio as the primary source of information in rural areas of Mozambique, FAO has developed a comprehensive programme that will serve as a means of communication for behaviour change through the dissemination of simple key messages with practical application among farming communities in the ten districts of Nampula and Zambézia, where the EU-funded PROMOVE Agribiz programme has been implemented since 2019.

With «Kianda» and the entire radio package, «FAO aims to take information on agricultural extension to new heights», says PROMOVE Agribiz Coordinator for FAO, Dario Cipolla.
«By leveraging the power of radio, we aim to empower smallholders and rural communities, equipping them with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive at a time when climate change is increasingly being felt in the country».
Starting in February 2024, listeners embarked on a year-long journey with the inhabitants of the fictional village of Kianda, exploring the ins and outs of agricultural production.

Through a compelling narrative, «Kianda» offers valuable tips and knowledge to smallholder farmers, guiding them through each stage of the production cycle throughout the agricultural calendar.
The radio drama, produced in partnership with PCI Media, has a total of 24 episodes and is complemented with recipes that highlight preparation of nutritious foods available in each month of the year and recipes or methods on good agricultural practices s such as management of fall armyworm (FAW), biopesticide production and construction of peanut dryers.

As a result of climate change, Mozambique faces increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events, which are intensifying in frequency and impact. In recent years, the country has been affected by cyclones and floods as well as periods of drought, a trend that is expected to persist, especially in the context of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena.
Densely populated low-lying regions, such as some areas of Nampula and Zambézia, are at increased risk, with agriculture as one of the most exposed economic sectors.

This radio package fits with the general objectives of PROMOVE Agribiz, which aims to help increase food security and the resilience of smallholder farmers, generate employment, and create a basis for inclusive economic growth, while stimulating rural competitiveness in Nampula and Zambézia provinces.