The contribution of SUA FM radio to improving farming practices in Mvomero district, Morogoro region, Tanzania

Abstract

Radio is one of the most effective agricultural communication tools; with its reach, accessibility, and ability to overcome literacy barriers, radio can be one of the most powerful agricultural communication tools. The community radio station SUA FM Radio, affiliated with the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), is specifically designed to offer agricultural programs based on scientific research and practical advice tailored to farmers in simple language. However, there is no empirical evidence of how this radio has contributed to the transformation of agriculture as a source of agricultural information and a tool for empowering farmers to improve their farming practices and production. The study examined how SUA FM Radio is contributing to the improvement of agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in the Mvomero district of the Morogoro region, Tanzania. Guided by Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT), the research focused on four specific objectives: assessing how demographic factors influence the use of SUA FM Radio for improving agricultural practices, assessing the SUA FM Radio’s influence on improving farming practices in the Mvomero district, determining the timeliness of the agricultural information offered by SUA FM Radio to farmers, and assessing challenges facing farmers in accessing SUA FM Radio programs in the Mvomero district. Study using a cross-sectional design of the study. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, using purposive sampling to select regions, districts, wards, and respondents. Then the sample of 204 farmers who were SUA FM listeners was selected by simple random sampling in three wards, namely Wami Dakawa, Mlali, and Mzumbe. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using inferential statistics, which was linear regression, and descriptive statistics, which were based on frequency and percentages. The results through the regression analysis indicated that education and marital status were negative (-0.303) with an odds ratio of 0.74, and the variable was statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating the most significant predictors of how much SUA FM Radio contributed to improved farming; age had a slight negative effect, and gender did not. Analysis showed that 91.6% of farmers agreed that SUA FM Radio programs had enhanced farming practices, particularly on crop cultivation, use of better seeds, weather, and pest control, while over 51% found the information timely and relevant to the agricultural calendar (although 44.3% reported that the information was sometimes delayed), with key challenges being poor radio signal reception (25.6%) and lack of program timetables (16.3%). The study concludes that SUA FM radio is important for increasing agricultural knowledge, but that improvements are needed to enhance its impact on knowledge; for example, age and gender had no statistically significant effect on the contribution of SUA FM radio to increasing agricultural knowledge, but education and marital status did. The study recommends that SUAFM Radio align its programs with the agricultural calendar, expand its content, improve the coverage of its signals, and provide a clear timetable; also, efforts to improve agricultural practices should be focused on educating farmers and supporting married couples.