Maize is a staple crop in Uganda and one of the major source of livelihood for small-scale farmers in the country, but climate change has become more and more of a threat in the field. With over 85% of Uganda’s farmers relying on rainfall to water their crops, unpredictable weather patterns and dry spells are causing crop losses of up to 40%. Traditional irrigation systems have proven to be inefficient
Family farmers are essential to sustainable agriculture and food production in many rural regions of the world. However, they frequently do not have access to timely, accurate, and localized information, even though they play a crucial role in feeding communities. Their capacity to enhance livelihoods, adjust to climate change, and engage in policymaking is hampered by this communication gap. Addressing this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Due to heavy reliance on traditional methods and limited access to weather information or extension services, smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa are some of the most susceptible to the impacts of climate change. In the Municipality of Raymond Mhlaba in the Eastern Cape, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and erratic rainfall have made raising animals increasingly difficult. To help address this challenge, researchers from the University of Fort Hare and
The agricultural sector maintains its central position as the main rural income source for India, yet farmers encounter problems obtaining up-to-date precise information for responding to crop threats. The Karnataka region faces frequent climate and pest threats which traditional Rural Communication Services (RCS) struggles to address. Mobile phone adoption brings new opportunities to provide essential farming advice during critical moments. Dr. Arjunan Subramanian from the Adam Smith Business School at
Agriculture is not only the backbone of economies of developing countries but also supports livelihoods and food security. Despite its importance, this sector faces numerous challenges that limit agricultural productivity and threaten its sustainability. The population of Pakistan is 228.9 million in 2025 and is expected to reach 250.2 million in 2050. This rapid growth in population has increased food demand. The agricultural sector of Pakistan needs to place emphasis
A decade-long journey of research, collaboration, and advocacy came to fruition during the IAMCR 2025 Conference in Singapore with the official launch of the book “Collaborative Change: Lessons from the Ground on Rural Communication Services.” Dr. Rico Lie of Wageningen University led the launch, which was held during the special FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services (RCS) session of the conference and participated in by ComDev scholars from across the globe. He traced
Missed the IAMCR 2025 Conference in Singapore? Watch the 2025 FAO/IAMCR RCS Awardees Presentation Watch the full video of two milestone events in rural communication. First, witness the launch of the new IAMCR/FAO publication “Collaborative Change,” a book born from over a decade of work on inclusive communication for rural development. Then, watch the 2025 FAO/IAMCR RCS Awards session, where three researchers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China share how their
The FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services (RCS) Awards session during the 2025 IAMCR Conference in Singapore on July 16 showcased the winning papers of three outstanding researchers whose work explores how communication can bridge the rural divide. This awards session was a celebration of meaningful efforts to make communication systems more inclusive, community-centered, and responsive to the real challenges rural populations face. The first presentation came from Dr. Subekti Priyadharma of
Despite advances in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) designed to enhance agricultural production while protecting the environment, many farmers remain hesitant to adopt innovations that can improve productivity and sustainability. However, addressing this trust gap has become essential for advancing rural development due to increasing climate and resource challenges. In rural areas where information access can vary, what drives farmers to adopt new agricultural technologies and what holds them back? Dr. Li
Rural Bangladesh faces development challenges due to limited access to government services and information, significantly affecting community empowerment and socio-economic progress. The Union Digital Centre (UDC) initiative, launched by the Bangladeshi government with support from international partners, aims to tackle this by providing ICT-based services at the grassroots level. By decentralizing access to these services, it aims to reduce the burden on rural residents who had no choice but to
