Farmers’ Voice Radio Academy: Empowering Ghana’s Cocoa Farmers Through Participatory Local Language Radio

 

Our Aim

We are working to empower 100,000 smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana by raising under-represented voices and connecting farmers with the knowledge they need to build resilient, inclusive and thriving cocoa communities through the power of participatory local-language FM radio.

 

About the Farmers’ Voice Radio (FVR) Academy for Cocoa Producers in Ghana

The Farmers’ Voice Radio Academy is a free training program for cocoa cooperatives, equipping them with the skills to design, produce, and broadcast engaging local-language FM radio programs tailored to the needs of cocoa farmers.

Built on a proven methodology, Farmers’ Voice Radio is particularly effective at reaching and engaging farmers who are often excluded from traditional training and support interventions, including women, tenant farmers, and producers in remote or underserved communities. Since 2010, Farmers’ Voice Radio has broadcast trusted, vital agricultural information to over two million smallholder farmers. This has resulted in improved farming and land management practices, increased yields and quality, economic empowerment of women and strengthened resilience to climate change – ultimately contributing to more secure livelihoods. Farmers’ Voice Radio is particularly effective at reaching women and those who are often excluded from other interventions, which has resulted in increased awareness of women’s and children’s rights in rural communities and the empowerment of underrepresented groups.

By the end of the Academy, cooperatives will learn to produce and manage their own radio program series that addresses the real priorities of smallholder producers in their region. They will also be able to broadcast their programs on the most relevant local FM stations listened to by farmers in their cocoa-growing communities.

Why Join the FVR Academy?

By joining the Farmers’ Voice Radio Academy, your cooperative will learn to produce a professional radio program that will:

• Improve communication and engagement with cooperative members and cocoa producers, especially those who are traditionally harder to reach

• Increase membership, as farmers recognize the added value of belonging to cooperatives

• Increase living incomes by supporting higher cocoa quality, improved yields and diversified livelihoods

• Connect farmers, particularly women and tenant farmers, to information on:

• Good agricultural practices

• Quality processing

• Agroforestry

• Sustainability

• Alternative income opportunities

• Improve the quality of cocoa purchased by cooperatives

• Reduce child labor in the supply chain by promoting awareness of children’s rights and the risks of child labor

• Demystify EUDR legislation and regulations, helping farmers understand their rights, obligations, and opportunities

What the Academy Includes

The FVR Academy provides:

• Two in-person training workshops (March & April 2026)

• Individual coaching and technical support

• Networking and a community of practice to continue learning and collaboration

• A small grants competition for graduates ready to launch their programs

Who Can Apply?

The academy is open to cocoa cooperatives and farmer-based organizations that are committed to:

• Participating in the full training process

• Producing and managing their own farmer-focused radio program series.

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted via:

• Google application form, or

• Pick up a hard-copy form from the PDA Kumasi office – Anwomaso
  GhPost GPS Code: AK-849-3514;
  Address: Anwomaso Rd;

Application deadline: 22nd February 2026

Full details on the application forms and submission process will be shared after registration of interest.

You are also invited to join an information webinar on the Academy at 10.00 am GMT on 22nd January 2026.

Attendance is not required to apply for the Academy but is strongly encouraged for organisations interested in learning more.

 

Find more on Farmer Voice Radio Academy on https://www.farmersvoiceradio.org/academy or contact Kamil Salam 0506568772