Farm Radio International

What Farm Radio International does

Farm Radio International is a Canadian registered charity (also operating under the legal name Radios Rurales Internationales) that uses radio as a development platform for small-scale farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 1979 in Ottawa, the organization partners with more than 1,300 radio stations across 38 African countries and runs active projects in 16 of them, distributing agricultural, climate, health, nutrition, and gender programming in 68 local languages. Its work is organized around three pillars: Radio Resources (information packages, Barza Wire news, eDiscussions, broadcaster training), Radio Innovations (the proprietary Uliza IVR/missed-call suite with Beep2Vox, Beep2Vote, Beep4Weather, Beep4Inputs, Beep4Tips, Uliza Answers, Uliza Log, Voxbox, Uliza Join, and SMS Reminders, developed in The Hangar ICT innovation lab in Arusha, Tanzania), and Radio Projects (program approaches such as Participatory Radio Campaigns, Radio Marketplace, Her Voice on Air, Reality Radio, Drama Plus, Community Listening Groups, and Climate and Weather Advisory Services).

The organization reaches its audience through broadcasting partners, Community Listening Groups, and self-serve IVR interactions, and reports 24.5 million people reached and 4.9 million people making a positive change in 2021-22, with 3.4 million listeners using climate-smart solutions in 2024-25. The Uliza platform has recorded 500,000+ individual user interactions and the organization has earned measurable impact metrics including 71% higher maize yields and 39% higher cowpea yields in Ghana accelerator programs.

Revenue is generated primarily through charitable donations, grants, and institutional funding from government aid agencies (Global Affairs Canada, USAID, GIZ, Enabel, LuxDev), major foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation), UN agencies (IFAD, FAO, WFP), and CGIAR/AICCRA. A secondary consulting services line sells strategic communication, broadcaster training, gender advisory, monitoring and evaluation, and digital innovation services to funders, governments, NGOs, and private-sector partners. The organization's go-to-market combines a channel-partner model (1,300+ radio stations), community-led engagement through Community Listening Groups, and event-driven On Air Dialogues with policymakers.

Name

Farm Radio International

Legal name

Radios Rurales Internationales

Website

https://farmradio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Farm Radio International is a Canadian charity that partners with 1,300+ radio stations across 38 African countries to deliver agricultural, climate, health, and gender programming in local languages to rural small-scale farmers, using its proprietary Uliza IVR platform and broadcaster training programs funded by institutional grants and donor contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Communications

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Agricultural extension services
• Interactive voice response
• Rural development communications
• Broadcaster training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations and grants: Farm Radio International is a Canadian charity that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and institutional funders including government aid agencies, foundations, and development organizations.
2. Consulting services: FRI offers paid consulting services to funders, governments, NGOs, and private-sector partners to design, implement, and evaluate strategic information and communication initiatives. Services include radio program design, broadcaster training, gender equality advisory, monitoring and evaluation, and digital innovation consulting.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Farm Radio International is a Canadian nonprofit charity that supports African farming communities by partnering with 1,300+ radio stations across 38 countries to deliver interactive radio programs on agriculture, health, nutrition, and climate adaptation. It produces radio resource packs, training programs, and digital interactivity tools (the Uliza Suite) that enable listeners to communicate with broadcasters via mobile phone. The organization also delivers targeted development projects, publishes the Barza Wire news service for broadcasters, runs Community Listening Groups, and offers paid consulting services to governments, NGOs, and funders on communication-for-development strategy.

Product overview

Farm Radio International offers a comprehensive suite of radio-based solutions for rural African development, organized around three core pillars: Radio Resources (information packages, Barza Wire news service, eDiscussions, and broadcaster training), Radio Innovations (digital interactivity tools including the Uliza Suite with Beep2Vox, Beep2Vote, Beep4Weather, Beep4Inputs, Beep4Tips, Uliza Answers, Voxbox, and SMS Reminders), and Radio Projects (targeted development programs using specific program approaches like Participatory Radio Campaigns, Radio Marketplace, Her Voice on Air, Reality Radio, Drama Plus, and Community Listening Groups). The organization also provides consulting services for external partners and produces the Nature Answers podcast. Together, these products enable radio stations to deliver interactive, impactful agricultural and development content to rural communities across Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Radio Resources Information packages, training programs, and professional development opportunities provided to radio broadcasters across Africa to improve the quality of agricultural and rural development programming. Delivered to 1,300+ partner stations across 38 countries.
• Radio Innovations Digital solutions and new program formats combining radio with mobile technologies to make broadcasting more interactive and effective for rural African audiences. Includes the Uliza Suite of listener interactivity tools and named program approaches.
• Radio Projects Targeted development projects implemented with broadcasting partners that use radio to achieve specific outcomes at scale, improving livelihoods of rural communities across multiple thematic areas including agriculture, health, climate, and gender.
• Consulting Services Paid strategic communication-for-development consulting offered to funders, governments, NGOs, and private-sector partners. Services include radio program design, broadcaster training, gender equality advisory, monitoring and evaluation, and digital innovation consulting.
• Resource Packs Information packages containing scripts, interviews, dramas, backgrounders, and other usable resources on agriculture and rural development topics that broadcasters can adapt for their local programs.
• Barza Wire A unique news service that shares stories relevant to small-scale farmers and rural communities in Africa, distributed to broadcasters for use in programming.
• eDiscussions Online facilitated discussions bringing together broadcasters and subject matter experts for timely exchanges in English and French on agricultural and development topics.
• Uliza Suite A suite of listener interactivity services combining radio, mobile phones, and interactive voice response (IVR) systems enabling listeners to communicate with and exchange information with radio stations through missed calls and callbacks.
• Participatory Radio Campaign (PRC) Outcome-oriented 12-16 week radio campaign designed to boost uptake of specific farming practices, combining radio programming with community engagement.
• Her Voice on Air (HVOA) Women-only community listening groups combined with gender training for broadcasters to increase women's engagement in radio programming and address gender barriers to information access.
• Community Listening Groups Groups of community members who tune in together, discuss radio programs, and use shared mobile phones to record questions and comments for radio stations.
• Radio Marketplace Weekly radio segment providing market information and exploring marketing topics from farmers', vendors', processors', and transporters' perspectives.
• Drama Plus Combines a 13-52-part radio drama series with on-air discussions connecting stories to real-life challenges, effective for sensitive topics in rural communities.
• Nature Answers Podcast Podcast series exploring nature-based solutions, climate issues, and environmental topics across multiple seasons with storytelling episodes on irrigation, reforestation, composting, and climate-smart farming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% of farmers who learn about a new practice through FRI-supported radio programs end up applying it on their farm
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ViamocoreTechnology or IntegrationLongstanding technology partnership where Viamo powers Farm Radio's Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology, enabling the Uliza listener interactivity services including missed-call polling, voice responses, and weather information delivery.
• CGIAR/AICCRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the AICCRA (Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Agricultural Research for Development) program, implemented with World Bank Group's AgriConnect initiative. Uses agribusiness accelerators to scale climate-smart agriculture innovations for smallholder farmers in Africa.
• AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on agricultural development in Africa, supporting FRI's programs on food security and agricultural practices.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency working on food security and agriculture, partnering on radio programs for farmer outreach.
• WFP (World Food Programme)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN agency fighting hunger, partnering on nutrition and food security radio programs.
• CIMMYTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational maize and wheat research organization providing agricultural expertise for radio programs.
• CABIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational agriculture and biodiversity research organization.
• IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute focused on tropical agriculture, partnering on crop and farming practice programs.
• WUSCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld University Service of Canada, long-standing partner that helped move FRI from Toronto to Ottawa.
• IUCNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Union for Conservation of Nature, partnering on environmental sustainability radio programs.
• HarvestPlusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focusing on biofortification, partnered on nutrition radio programs about nutrient-rich crops.
• TechnoServemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit management consulting firm partnering on post-harvest loss programs and mango value chain projects.
• NCBA CLUSAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative development organization, partner in Mozambique and other countries on agricultural e-extension.
• World VisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO partnering on development projects.
• CRS (Catholic Relief Services)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Catholic relief agency partnering on development programs.
• 1,300+ Radio StationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcasting partners across 38 African countries who receive FRI resources, training, and support to broadcast agricultural and development programming. More than 350 participate in active projects annually.
• Farm Radio TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization in Malawi established by local FRI staff, implementing radio programs and facilitating inclusion of ICTs in government policy.
• Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKenyan community media network hosting FRI's country office in Nairobi.
• INADES FormationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in Côte d'Ivoire for the RELANCE project funded by GIZ.
• PlantCatalystminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Zambia deploying drought-tolerant seed varieties through radio programs.
• CortevaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural company partnering on seed deployment and climate-smart agriculture programs.
• iDEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization focusing on market-based approaches, partnering on agricultural programs.
• Zambia Agriculture Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment research institute partnering on agricultural innovation deployment in Zambia.
• Government of Ghana Ministry of Food and AgriculturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose relationship with Ghana's Ministry critical to success of many agricultural radio projects.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Heifer International: Heifer International is a global nonprofit working to end hunger and poverty through sustainable livestock and agricultural development. Comparable to FRI as a large agricultural development organization targeting rural smallholder farmers, with overlapping donor base.
• Winrock International: Winrock International is a nonprofit that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Comparable to FRI as a large-scale agricultural development implementer in Africa with similar institutional funding sources.
• TechnoServe: TechnoServe is a global nonprofit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. A confirmed partner of FRI (post-harvest loss and mango value chain projects) and broadly comparable as a large agricultural development nonprofit operating in Africa.

Emerging players

• One Acre Fund: One Acre Fund provides smallholder farmers in Africa with financing, training, and inputs to increase farm productivity. Comparable to FRI as a service-delivery organization reaching rural African farmers, but focuses on input distribution rather than radio-based information.
• CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation) - successor organisations: CTA was an ACP-EU institution focused on agricultural information for development, with strong overlap to FRI's mission of using information and communication to improve smallholder livelihoods in Africa. Though CTA's programmes closed in 2020, its mandate (rural agricultural communication) closely mirrors FRI's value proposition.
• CABI: CABI is an international not-for-profit organization that provides agricultural information and expertise to smallholder farmers. A confirmed FRI partner and comparable in mission to disseminate actionable agricultural knowledge, though CABI focuses more on plant health research than radio delivery.

Direct peers

• AMARC (World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters): AMARC is the international umbrella organization for community radio stations worldwide. Sébastien Nègre (FRI Managing Specialist, Radio Craft) previously worked at AMARC, and both organizations serve community broadcasters globally with overlapping programmatic focus on radio for social change.
• Viamo: Viamo is the technology partner that powers FRI's Uliza IVR platform, operating mobile-based information services for underserved populations across Africa and Asia. It is a direct peer in mobile-radio interactivity for development and shares overlapping mission and customer base with Farm Radio.
• BBC Media Action: BBC's international development media arm uses radio, TV, and digital media to support governance, health, and livelihoods in developing countries. Directly comparable to FRI in mission, methodology (media-for-development), and target audiences across Africa and Asia.
• Internews: Internews is an international nonprofit that supports independent media and information ecosystems in developing countries. Comparable to FRI as a media-development organization working with local partners to strengthen rural information access and fight misinformation (e.g., FRI's Julie Langelier previously led a $24M misinformation project at Internews).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@farmradiointernational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/farm-radio-international
• Xx.com/farmradio
• Facebookfacebook.com/farmradio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Farm Radio International