Thanks to one and all for this interesting discussion.

Radio – the first wireless ICT – is, of course, not an innovation.  However, new ICTs have fostered innovative use of radio. 

Before plunging into thoughts on ICTs and radio, however, let me offer the observation that people seldom adopt a new practice just because they get information about it.  They need to understand the information, they need to participate in, or at least listen to, a discussion or conversation or even debate about it. They need a chance to ask questions, offer opinions and express their doubts – even to say “I tried that technology, and it sucks!”  Thus, effective use of ICT’s not only conveys data, but translates it into widely understood language, facilitates dialogue about it, and enables a sharing of opinions about and experiences with it.  Clearly, this goes beyond delivering a 160-character SMS.

What this means is that, as Stephane Boyera pointed out above, most modern ICTs are best used by an intermediary such as a broadcaster or extension agent, a farmers’ organization or community leader.   These intermediaries (note the word “media” at the core) can translate into locally appropriate language, facilitate dialogue, field questions, host panel discussions, encourage debate, and keep it entertaining.

Modern ICTs and radio are a perfect match. Mobile phones have brought to radio both the phone-in show, where farmers can call in with their questions and comments,  and the “phone-out” show, where the host calls pre-selected farmers or extension agents to get “live, in the field” content from distant locations. SMS messages can remind farmers to tune-in when a radio show is about to begin.  Community radio agents with good mobile phones can capture and submit community discussions, farmer questions, etc to the broadcaster.  Radio sets with record and playback capacity can offer “radio on demand”.  IVRs are another great radio-on-demand tool, and they give farmers more options for asking questions or sharing their experiences by leaving a message.

Farm Radio International discovered much about how best to integrate new or modern ICTs with radio to provide farmers with effective communication services.  You can find the report at http://bit.ly/farmradioict