“The show is educational. Even without enough finances, you can still farm by following the shows’ examples, such as manure-making process. We have learned a lot of good things.”
Knowledge is most powerful in the hands of those who can put it into practice. This is the driving philosophy of Munda Makeover, a weekly TV broadcast conceptualized by CGIAR in Zambia that visits family farms to demonstrate improved agricultural practices and help communities thrive in a changing climate.
CGIAR researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) brought together partners in the development, research, and commercial sectors to simultaneously entertain viewers and reach smallholder farmers with relevant climate and agricultural information. The researchers were part of Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), a CGIAR initiative.
Running parallel to Zambia’s main growing season, Munda Makeover provided knowledge and solutions on a wide range of common farm issues like soil testing, crop management, and harvesting techniques as farmers were experiencing them.
Beyond improving hard skills, such as cultivating crops and raising livestock, the show shared new practices informed by CGIAR research on climate adaptation, healthy cooking, financial management and community building. Many farmers who viewed the program were eager to put what they learned into practice on their own farms.
“The show is educational,” shared Grace Mwinga, a farmer in Chibombo, Zambia. “Even without enough finances, you can still farm by following the shows’ examples, such as manure-making process. We have learned a lot of good things.”
The first season of the show was well-received by the 655,000 Zambians who tuned in, and many invited friends and neighbors to watch with them, reaching an estimated 1.9 million viewers. The impact of the show was extended even further as farmers shared knowledge through their communities via word-of-mouth.
With additional support, the program could be scaled even further to strengthen local agricultural practices, promote climate resilience and foster collaboration in communities across Zambia and around the world.
