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Communicating Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices through Community Radio In the last five years in Bundelkhand, one of India’s most drought prone and climate sensitive regions, farmers have witnessed many erratic weather events such as droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, frost etc. To help the farmers adapt to the changing climate, Development Alternatives has been running a climate change communication programme called ‘Shubh Kal’ (for a better future) wherein the community radio reporters trained in climate change journalism serve as an effective two way communication link at the grassroots between farmers, government officials from sectoral line departments and scientific experts from agriculture extension agencies such as Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Farmers have always struggled due to the uncertainties of nature. If we talk about the last five years in Bundelkhand, one of India’s most drought prone and climate sensitive regions, farmers have witnessed many erratic weather events such as droughts, erratic rainfall patterns, frost etc. Today, the direct impact of climate change can be seen and felt in the 13 districts of Bundelkhand in Central India. Climate change has made a major impact on agricultural livelihoods and food production. Bundelkhand has recorded a 58% decrease in food grain production. This is certainly a very serious matter for the rural communities who are mostly dependent on agriculture.
Considering
all these challenges, the farmers of Bundelkhand
The Shubh Kal programme made a huge difference in the lives of farmer Sultan Singh Ghosh (75) and his son Vijay Singh Ghosh (50), who are residents of Ujiyan Post Patha District Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh). One day, Vijay went to the nearby market where he heard a radio programme on agriculture in Bundeli language, which he liked. Vijay immediately bought a radio set from the market. Both Vijay and his father liked the Shubh Kal programme broadcasted by Radio Bundelkhand. Vijay contacted Radio Bundelkhand and requested to re-broadcast the programme which was listened by many other farmers in their village who were facing challenge in farming and sowing crops that requires more water. The farmers found this programme very informative. Later, Vijay Singh's father gave him the permission to buy WH-47 seed and advised him to follow information shared by Radio Bundelkhand for better results. Today Vijay Singh's entire family not only listen to Radio Bundelkhand but also shares their feedback with the radio team on a regular basis. ■
C.P. Niranjan
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have now started to
adapt themselves to the changing weather. With support of Development
Alternatives, in the last 37 years, efforts are being made to change the
farming system by selecting seeds that will give more production with
less water and use of organic fertilizers that will increase crop
productivity. Development Alternatives has been running a climate change
communication programme called ‘Shubh Kal’ (for a better future) in
Bundelkhand. Rural community radio reporters trained in climate change
journalism serve as an effective two way communication link at the
grassroots between farmers, government officials from sectoral line
departments and scientific experts from agriculture extension agencies
such as Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).