RIU Malawi's successful media campaign
26 May 2010

RIU Malawi has had a very successful media campaign over the last six weeks which has seen major pieces in the top Malawi newspapers - copies of press reports available to download below.

On 17 May 2010 a news feature by Francis Tayanjah-Phiri in the Daily Times had the headline 'Farmers Own Research'. It quoted farmer Kingston Chadwe, who said:

"...previously, we did not access these technologies and practices – to be precise farmers were not taken in as partners in developing the research. That resulted in the technologies and appropriate techniques not trickling down to us... As you can see I have a demonstration plot on my farm and this shows I am part of the research. We have been involved in this and as a result we have practically known which seed are right for our area and also what chemicals and farm practices we should use here."

A few days earlier, 13 May 2010, an article in the Daily Nation by Brenda Twea also looked at the conundrum of getting research into use. She noted: "...findings of many researches are usually shelved; they are not implemented. People have not been using the research technology, not because they will not benefit from them, but sometimes because of the financial capacity to implement them." The article then goes on to explore a range of ways that RIU Malawi is working to help farmers realise their potential.

This built on a development feature from the RIU team in March 2010 which explored RIUs role in aquaculture developments in the Malawi News. On 28 March 2010 the Sunday Times ran a feature by RIU Malawi on Fayness Kanjere, a mother of seven children, who invested her savings to start a piggery. She said: "God was on my side. A few months later I had 11 pigs". She sold at 8 months and the sale of the pigs helped to cover the school fees. However, when she raised her second batch of pigs – she was not happy with the price. The article then goes on to show how RIU Malawi has worked to help set up effective pig markets which ensure a fairer price for the pigs.

RIU Malawi also had coverage in two prominent radio stations - Malawi Broadcasting Corporation and Zodiak Broadcasting Service and broadcast on Malawi TV station.

Also see Malawi media coverage for details of other press and media.

		Farmers owning research Source: Daily Times (Malawi) With quotes from the cotton industry and the role of RIU Malawi 17 May 2010 (PDF 3.9MB)
		RIU: helping farmers realise their potential Source: Daily Nation (Malawi) by Brenda Twea Role of RIU in working to increase agricultural productivity and food security through innovations platforms 13 May 2010 (PDF 320KB)
		Piggery gives Mzuma women cash Source: Sunday Times (Malawi) Women pig farmers get fairer price with RIU support 28 March 2010 (PDF 150KB)
		Research boosts fish farming Source: Malawi News RIU aquaculture innovation platform March 2010 (PDF 150KB)