By Amy de Raedt | Socia Media Coordinator
Over the years and in many countries we’ve worked with various radio content creators, producers and broadcasters. There is none better or more respected anywhere in Africa than Filius Charo Jere. Filius is the leader creator, interviewer, producer and voice of Farm Talk in Zambia.
Farm Talk is the popular weekly radio show that has been running for more than seven years in Eastern Zambia. It's funded by our partner Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO). Broadcast on Breeze FM in Chipata, Farm Talk is produced in the local language, Nyanja.
Travelling with Filius is like traveling with a rock star. More than once we’ve driven into a rural village and people stare at us in suspicion, especially if there’s a “muzungu” (white person) in the vehicle. Then Filius speaks. People recognise his distinct warm and friendly voice and shout to one another, “Filius is here.” And they come running. Everyone wants to shake his hand or ask him a question.
To get a sense of Filius first hand, click on the link below and watch Filius on video. He talks about the value of Lifelines' radios to farmers.
Filius uses his time in the field to find out what is on farmers’ minds, what their problems are and what successes they’ve had. He interviews at least on farmer from a COMACO farming cooperative. The final 15 minutes of Farm Talk is an interview with a COMACO farmer and question and answer time.
This format was especially helpful during the recent invasion of the Fall Army Worm, which devastated thousands of acres of corn (maize) crops. Farmers listened to the programs and called in their questions which were answered on the spot by Filius and his team.
Filius was born in and spent his early years in Zimbabwe. But from his high school days, he’s lived in Zambia. Filius spent many years with the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture as a government extension worker and broadcaster. He’s worked in every corner of the country and has settled in the town of Chipata with his family where COMACO is based.
Thousands of our Prime radios and Lifeplayer MP3 units support Farm Talk each week. With more and more farmers joining COMACO cooperatives each month, even more units are needed. Please consider continuing to support this great initiative.
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