Linking local rice processors’ access to rural radio, gender, and livelihoods in Benin

Abstract

In a context of low literacy rates and a high level of rurality, the use of rural radio in agricultural extension is a method that can bridge the gap that exists between researchers, extension workers, and farmers. This article examines the level of farmers’ access to rural radio in relation to gender and livelihoods. The study was conducted in Benin with 18 rural radio stations and 240 rice processors, using the sustainable livelihoods framework to examine the relationship between access to rural radio and livelihoods. Although the study cannot draw conclusions on causal relationships, rice processors who often listened to agricultural broadcasts had better social, financial, and human capital stocks compared to those who did not. Despite the efforts of 72% of the radio stations to link up with extension services, half of the rice processors rarely or never listened to agricultural broadcasts, because the timing of the broadcasts was inappropriate. Interactive radio sessions with farmers that involve government officials will need to address this if they are to become more effective.

Dans un contexte de taux d'alphabétisation faible et de ruralité considérable, l'utilisation de la radio rurale dans la vulgarisation agricole est une méthode qui peut réduire l’écart entre les chercheurs, les vulgarisateurs et les agriculteurs. Cet article examine le degré d'accès parmi les agriculteurs à la radio rurale par rapport au genre et aux moyens de subsistance. Cette étude a été menée au Bénin avec 18 stations de radio rurales et 240 usineurs de riz, en utilisant le cadre des moyens de subsistance pour examiner le rapport entre l'accès à la radio locale et les moyens de subsistance. Si l’étude ne permet pas de tirer des conclusions sur les rapports causaux, les usineurs de riz qui écoutaient souvent les émissions de radio avaient de meilleurs stocks de capital social, financer et humain que les autres. En dépit des efforts de 72 % des stations de radio pour nouer des liens avec des services de vulgarisation, la moitié des usineurs de riz écoutaient rarement, voire jamais, les émissions agricoles, parce que les horaires des émissions ne leur convenaient pas. Les sessions radio interactives avec les agriculteurs qui font intervenir des représentants du gouvernement devront résoudre ce problème pour améliorer leur efficacité.

En un contexto de bajas tasas de alfabetismo y de alto nivel de ruralidad, el uso de la radio rural para fines de extensión agrícola constituye un método que permite remontar la brecha existente entre investigadores, extensionistas y campesinos. El presente artículo examina el nivel de acceso de los campesinos a la radio rural en relación al género y a los medios de vida. El estudio se llevó a cabo en Benín, participando en él 18 radioemisoras rurales y 240 procesadores de arroz. Se empleó el marco de medios de vida sostenibles, con el fin de examinar la relación existente entre el acceso a la radio rural y los medios de vida. Aunque el estudio no llega a conclusiones respecto a la existencia de una relación causal, es más frecuente que aquellos procesadores de arroz que escuchan radioprogramas agrícolas tengan más activos sociales, financieros y de capital humano, en comparación con los procesadores que no escuchan dichos programas. A pesar de los esfuerzos realizados por 72% de las emisoras de vincularse con los servicios de extensión, la mitad de los procesadores casi nunca, o nunca, escuchan los programas agrícolas, debido a que la hora en que se difunden no es apropiada. Resulta necesario que los programas radiales interactivos en los que participan campesinos y funcionarios gubernamentales atiendan esta problemática para ser eficaces.

Keywords:

• Technology – Media
• Gender and diversity
• Environment (built and natural) – Agriculture
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Felix Houinsou for his support during the field research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This study was financed by the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), the International Foundation for Science (IFS) through grant S/4999–1, and the Government of Japan who kindly supported AfricaRice's post-harvest research and integrated rural learning approach.

Notes on contributors

Espérance Zossou is a postdoctoral Researcher at Abomey-Calavi University in Benin and a Consultant at AfricaRice. In 2013 she obtained her PhD from Liege University, Belgium. Her thesis analysed the role of rural radios and videos on local rice processing learning. Her research interests include rural learning and innovation impact assessment, gender, and experimental economy.

Davo Simplice Vodouhe is a Professor at Abomey-Calavi University in Benin. His research interests include agricultural extension and communication for rural development.

Paul Van Mele works at Agro-Insight, Ghent, Belgium. Before joining Agro-Insight, he was the Learning and Innovation Systems Program leader at the AfricaRice in Benin. His research interests include processes to enhance system linkages, local innovations, and scaling up of collaborative learning through video and rural radio.

Afiavi R. Agboh-Noameshie is a socio-agronomist, currently a gender focal point of Africa Rice Center, Cotonou, Benin (AfricaRice), after working for many years at the Togolese Research Institute (ITRA). She is involved in gender mainstreaming and is coordinating the Gender Task Force of AfricaRice.

Philippe Lebailly is a Professor at Liege University, Gembloux Agro Bio-Tech, Liege University, Belgium, where he is the head of Economy and Rural Development Unit.