
By Fatima Saka
The Women Environmental Programme (WEP) has launched the Farm Beta Radio Programme, an initiative aimed at delivering early warning climate information and promoting sustainable agriculture practices among farmers.
The launch took place on Friday during a virtual event held via Zoom.
The Honourable Commissioner of the Ministry of Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Benue State, Honourable Odoh Ugwu, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Akaa Nyam Thomas officially unveiled the programme. The event was attended by representatives of federal and state government agencies, civil society organizations, farming groups, and members of the media.
Dr. Priscilla Achakpa, Founder and Global President of WEP, and Auvi Priodarsine, Programme Manager of the WomenPower2030 Project under Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), welcomed participants to the launch. The Farm Beta Radio initiative forms part of the WomenPower2030 project, which is supported by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of five women’s organizations, with WECF as the lead partner.
In their remarks, Dr. Achakpa and Priodarsine emphasized that the programme aligns with the WomenPower2030 goal of enhancing the capacity of women’s and feminist civil society networks to combat inequalities and promote gender-equal sustainable development. Priodarsine described the programme as “a lifeline for communities grappling with the twin challenges of climate change and agricultural vulnerability.”
Mrs. Glory Onyegbule, Director of Applied Meteorological Services at the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), praised the initiative as a practical and effective way to disseminate agrometeorological information to farmers. Highlighting radio’s wide reach, she noted that “83.4% of Nigerian households own a working radio, and over 50% of rural farmers have daily access to radio sets.” She also expressed NiMet’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to share early warning climate information from its meteorological products.
Dr. Iniobong Abiola Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change at the Federal Ministry of Environment, described the programme as “a groundbreaking initiative that addresses the core of sustainable development in Nigeria.”
Similarly, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, Consultant to the Government of Osun State on Climate Change and Renewable Energy represented by Mr. Sola Ishola, Special Assistant on Media to the Osun State Governor commended the programme for empowering rural and women farmers.
He described it as “a significant step forward in addressing the intersection of agriculture and climate change.”
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Goals of the Farm Beta Radio Programme is designed to improve agricultural productivity, especially for rural and women farmers. It provides vital climate information to help mitigate climate-related risks and delivers education on sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Broadcast Schedule
The programme is broadcast across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria via the following stations:
North-East: Albarka Radio, 97.5 FM, Bauchi – Fridays, 10:00 AM (Gatarin Gwari programme)
North-West: Salama Radio, 98.1 FM, Kafanchan – Tuesdays, 9:30 AM
North-Central: Agate Radio, 95.5 Star FM, Makurdi – Thursdays, 5:30 PM
South-South: 88.1 Super FM, Benin – Thursdays, 6:30 PM
South-West: Women Radio, 91.7 FM, Ogun State – Mondays, 5:00 PM
South-East: Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) 98.1 FM, Abakaliki – Sundays, 7:30 PM
Distinct News report that this innovative programme, WEP continues to bridge gaps in access to critical climate information and sustainable agricultural education, empowering farmers to adapt to climate challenges and improve their livelihoods.