Closing the agribusiness information gap: Five years of Radio IITA and a new era with IITA TV

Five years ago, the Communication Office of IITA–CGIAR developed a radio station to broadcast valuable information directly to the “last mile,” particularly smallholder farmers, consumers, and policymakers. Starting as an online outlet, RadioIITA has been a groundbreaking initiative that has disseminated the institute’s research output and information to those who need it.

On 8 August, IITA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the initiative, now a community radio station broadcasting on 88.5 FM in Ibadan, Nigeria. The occasion also served as a platform to launch a new initiative—IITA TV—to provide visual broadcast services about agricultural advancements and research activities from IITA.

In her opening remarks, IITA Communication Head Katherine Lopez acknowledged the support of all past and present colleagues who have contributed to the success of RadioIITA. In her speech read by the Head of IITA People and Culture, Lilian Medoza, she excitedly announced IITA TV as the implementation of the second phase of the plan to extend the institute’s positive impact in the world. “We hope to continue to use this mass medium and strategic communication channel to reach more of our beneficiary farmers and farming communities, educate them, and share our innovations, ultimately impacting the lives of our farmer-beneficiaries and their families,” she said.

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