FAO Launches Rural Radio

Nairobi, 7 March 2003
United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)

Responding to a request from the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has launched a rural radio station in Mbanza-Ngungu, 120 km south of Kinshasa, in the province of Bas-Congo.

Local and central government officials launched the radio, called Ntemo, on 1 March 2003. Its aim is to provide information relevant to the needs of rural communities, as well as create the best conditions for the proper functioning of the pilot radio station in the province.

FAO has agreed to provide equipment worth US $160,000 to support training for radio personnel and a local development committee; to support studies done by local consultants; provide technical aid from FAO's Rome headquarters and from the office representing different development activities in the project whose overall cost is estimated at $351,000.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock has provided a site for the radio station and office space for the training of radio staff.