IBADAN, Nigeria (PAMACC News) - Journalists from Africa reporting on agriculture have been drilled on the importance of using research findings to enrich and better tell stories.
The three days training November 11-13 organised by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,IITA with support from the International Fund of Agriculture Development,IFAD in Ibadan-Nigeria brings together some 20 Journalists from different African countries.
Experts say research evidence is a rich resource which could be used by journalists to create exciting stories to impact the different actors or intermediaries in the development value chain.
“The works of researchers will not achieve the needed results if the target population don’t have the information. It is the role of the media to relay research results to farmers and policy makers,” says Dr. Razack Adeoti, agricultural economist, CGIAR.
For example he noted that news articles based on findings from an agricultural research project on a new seed variety can inform extension workers about how to improve the crop resilience, yield, and income of farmers, noted.
Participants examined among others, opportunities and challenges facing African agriculture, overcoming obstacles to reporting science and policies,reporting skills for journalists, etc.
A document from IITA notes that researchers working for universities, governments or private companies are doing vital investigation into issues food security and sexual health – that directly affect the everyday life of people around the world. However they often communicate the results only to other researchers.
Agriculture experts called on Journalists to help researchers get their results out to the wider public.
“Research results can make good stories reason why journalists must work hand in hand with researchers,” notes Djana Mignouna ,regional economists with CGIAR.
He adds that research results can create powerful stories for news and features that are directly relevant to audiences.
The training accordingly offered Journalists support and ideas on using research to create debates and inform people of problems and possible solutions that can change or even save their lives.
The director general of IITA Nteranya Sanginga promise to hence work with journalists to get research results to the target public.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) accordingly,received a three-year research grant for “Enhancing capacity to apply research evidence in policy for youth engagement in agribusiness and rural economic activities in Africa” (CARE) funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The grant is designed to provide opportunities to engage youth to improve the availability and use of evidence for youth policies and decision-making related to youth participation in agribusiness and rural economic activities
The overarching objective of the project is to improve the availability, exchange, dissemination and use of research findings in the field of agribusiness and rural economic activities from young African scholars into policy and practice in support of economic growth and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, working at local, national and regional levels in Africa.
CARE ultimately intends to have an impact on youth and their partners’ capacities to deliver improved policies and investments that are effective at supporting youth in agriculture,IITA revealed.
