The latest partnership with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) over-reaching various communities in Kenya through agricultural radio programs continues the trend of commitment by Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) to deepening partnerships for impact and sustainability in the year 2020. 

Speaking on the partnership, KBC Managing Director, Dr. Naim Bilal Yaseen says the signing is geared towards leveraging from each other’s experience and expertise on advancing the farming agenda in Kenya. 

Dr. Naim Bilal applauded the move by BvAT to work with the regional stations to reach farmers with information. He says farmers will now get information on ecological sustainable agriculture in local languages they well understand. They will also be able to call in and their questions will be addressed immediately on air which is also helpful for other farmers with similar challenges listening to the programs.  

Dr. David Amudavi, BvAT’s Executive Director, says the partnership will further cement the already existing relationship between the two organisations. “This partnership is a clear demonstration of desire by Government institutions and Non-Governmental Organisations to support each other deliver on their mandates. BvAT’s vision is of a food secure African continent with healthy people living in a healthy environment. This resonates well with KBC’s aim of using radio and television as tools for National Development,” says Amudavi. 

Dr David Amudavi was accompanied by Mr. Fredrick Ochieng, the Coordinator of the Biovision Farmer Communication Programme and Mr. Musdalafa Lyaga, the Project Officer of The Organic Farmer Radio Program.

The partnership between the two organisations has been ongoing since August 2008. 

This signing marks a new dawn for the dissemination of ecological sustainable agriculture innovations, practices and technologies. BvAT through its Farmer Communication Programme projects will be able to reach farmers through live and interactive vernacular farmer programs. This will mainly be achieved via KBC 4 regional stations namely; Coro (targeting central region), Ingo (targeting Western region), Minto (targeting Southern Nyanza) and Mwatu targeting the lower Eastern region). Following the signing of the partnership Dr. Amudavi had an interview session with KBC’s Obrien Kimani over Kenya’s policies towards the agriculture sector. He underscored that for Kenya to achieve food security, it should increase its budgetary allocation as per the African Union’s states expressing the position of committing 10% of their national budgets to the agricultural sector given its role in their economies and revive provision of strategic public extension services.