The Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFN)

By Nancy Bennett - Executive Director, Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, Toronto, Canada

History and Mission of the Network (Source: DCFN Website)

While travelling by bus in Zambia in 1975, George Atkins was struck by the idea of sharing practical farm information in a worldwide exchange. The broadcasters agreed to define their needs in terms of agricultural information. George was convinced that the information they needed was waiting to be found: in the next village, or a neighbouring country, or even halfway around the world. He also knew there were hundreds of farm broadcasters who, if "networked", could share that information to benefit millions of small-scale farmers.

From that original idea, the Network took shape. In 1979, 34 broadcasters in 26 countries received the first package of scripts. Today, more than 1,500 participating members in about 100 countries help DCFN to gather and share the practical information that goes into our radio scripts and newsletter.

DCFN program is still based on George's original idea. The Network is not a mailing list. DCFN scripts reflect the contributions and requests of our members and their audiences. Membership is still free, thanks to the financial support of thousands of generous individuals and companies in Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency.

The aim of DCFN is to help people share information about simple, proven ways to increase food and fibre supplies, and to improve nutrition and health. Radio is used as the primary means of communication.

During her presentation, Nancy Bennett defines the concept of network.

A network is a group of individuals or organisations who, on a voluntary basis, exchange information or undertake joint activities and who organise themselves in such a way that their individual autonomy remains intact.

Then, Nancy Bennett describes the main three phases in networking:

• First, radio stations without any connection one to the other
• Then, a network of radio stations, with the DCFN at the centre, to whom extentionnists may also connect
• Today, radio stations are connecting one to each other, extensionnists are also linked together, while there is no need to go through the DCFN.

This important change has been possible thanks to the introduction of ICTs.

But more than in any other field, ICTs changed the way DCFN worked in the field of publications and electronic storage: a virtual library is the current substitute to 25 years of publications sent by surface post.

For further information on DCFN: www.farmradio.org.