Krishi Radio, the first government-run community radio in Amtali, Barguna, will soon be housed in its new building, complete with new set of equipment and facilities. This was disclosed by the Agriculture Information Service, the unit in the Department of Agricultural Extension, that directly manages the radio station.
By early 2019, a three-storey building will be constructed to replace the old one. It will house the radio station, production rooms, and a dormitory for training participants. Likewise, new set of radio equipment including computers will be installed. The old ones have been corroded and have become dysfunctional due to the fast wear-and-tear caused by high salinity in the area.
This development is expected to boost the radio listenership in the area. Krishi Radio covers 17 km radius and reaches about 400,000 population in six upazilas in Barguna District. It airs programs on agriculture, weather, trade, women’s rights, rural development, and environment among others. With its participation in the Coastal Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project since 2015, Krishi Radio regularly airs a magazine program featuring climate resilient agricultural technologies among members of its listeners clubs.
The community radio was established in 2010 under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Community Rural Radio Project assisted by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the University of the Philippines Los Baños. It first official broadcast started in December 2012.