LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Information Minister Moses Kumkuyu has nodded to Farm Radio Holding (FRH)’s request for the launched Mlimi Radio Station to have national frequency licence.
Kunkuyu assured the station that his ministry will continue to work with Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to ensure that the frequencies are available to Mlimi Radio.
The Minister was responding to FRH request to have the radio station national license frequency as is covering intensively in districts including Mangochi, Machinga, Balaka, Ntcheu, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Salima, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Mzimba, Rumphi and Nkhatabay.
Matthias Diependaele, representing The Minister President of the Government of Flanders launched Mlimi Radio Station on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at its headquarters, Area 47 in the capital Lilongwe.
“Today we witnessed history being made as we actualize ICTs for development in Mlimi Radio. As a Ministry, we pledge our commitment to support initiatives such as Mlimi Radio, to ensure a conducive environment that enables players in the information industry to contribute towards achievement of our national dreams and goals.
“I have been informed that Mlimi Radio is yet to get radio frequencies for citie of Blantyre, Zomba, and Lilongwe among other areas and I will continue to work with MACRA to ensure that the frequencies are available to Mlimi Radio,” assures Kunkuyu.
Mlili Radio’s Board Chairperson Dr. Albert Changaya disclosed that the station is developmental platform that allows convergence of all actors in the agriculture sector, policy makers, non-state actors, development partner, farmers the private sectors and other key players in the economic growth sectors of the country.
“At Farm Radio, we value innovations to the extent that our organization has become synonymous with innovations. We are therefore, grateful that we have development partner in Flanders Government that values innovations in the agriculture sector.
“The Flanders government has been there and has supported our innovations. Your excellency minister, your government supported to establish the first agriculture focused call center in Malawi, when we developed Mlimi mobile phone App, the Malawi Agriculture Content Portal. Now here we are launching the first ever pro-agriculture and rural development radio station which your government has supported as well,” lauded Changaya.
In his remarks, Diependaele of the Government of Flanders assured continued support that rural farmers get quality and digital information for improving agriculture sector.
He therefore expects the station to work closely with farmers for transformative agriculture sector in Malawi and beyond.
Mlimi Radio will broadcast a range of programming aimed at providing farmers with relevant and actionable information including agricultural news and market updates, weather forecasts and agricultural advisories, policy dialogue, farmer-to-farmer learning and experience-sharing, business and market information and emerging issues, trends and technologies in agriculture
Currently, Malawi’s radio listenership is at 71.1%; ownership of mobile phones at household level is at 51.7%, with over 8 Million subscribers to mobile phone services; television ownership is at 16.4%; while internet usage is at 14%.
