Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN) and CTA are collaborating to offer this radio scriptwriting competition to radio organizations across Africa.

DCFRN 

Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN) aims to support broadcasters in developing countries to strengthen small-scale farming and rural communities. Our network consists of more than 300 radio organizations in 39 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Our core programme consists of producing and distributing radio script packages on agriculture and rural development themes to radio organizations in our Network. The scripts are mainly written by individuals or groups of people working for organizations that belong to our Network. Scriptwriters are coached on how to write a radio script on a topic of interest to their audience, but that can also be shared with rural audiences across Africa. Scripts are reviewed by subject matter specialists before being distributed via post or email in English and in French. Radio organizations who receive these script packages three times a year decide which scripts are of interest to their audience and then adapt and translate the selected script before broadcasting it.

This scriptwriting competition is an exciting opportunity for us to involve current and new radio organizations in our Network and contribute to the development of scriptwriting skills on the theme of Coping with Climate Change - a major concern for farmers around the world.

CTA

Back in 1991 CTA began supporting rural radios by launching a Rural Radio Resource Pack Programme and by strengthening radio broadcasters networks in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP countries).

 A set of 5 “packs” is produced every year and the Centre currently has over 50 packs in stock. Aimed at strengthening the links between extension workers and farmers, promoting knowledge-sharing between farmers, and addressing the problem of illiteracy, the packs are designed to encourage the use of rural radio to disseminate scientific and technical information. Each pack deals with a specific topic – ranging from crop storage to cassava, small ruminants or soil fertility. The choice of topics is based on suggestions made by ACP partners.

Each pack comprises the material necessary to a radio programme on a specific topic: interviews on tapes or CDs, a transcript of the text, suggestions for introducing each interview, technical information on the topic and advice on how to use the pack.

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) was established in 1983 under the Lomé Convention between the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Group of States and the European Union Member States. Since 2000, it has operated within the framework of the ACP-EC Cotonou Agreement. CTA’s tasks are to develop and provide services that improve access to information for agricultural and rural development, and to strengthen the capacity of ACP countries to produce, acquire, exchange and utilise information in this area.
CTA is financed by the European Union.

CTA
Postbus 380
6700 AJ Wageningen
The Netherlands

Website: www.cta.int