Supporting dialogic communication and knowledge sharing processes is a powerful means of helping farmer organizations, indigenous peoples, rural communities and civil society organizations to make their voices heard and be part of the development agenda. Rural communication services and policies can translate farmers’ right to communication into fair and transparent regulatory frameworks that will allow equitable access to information and communication services in rural areas and ensure the active participation of smallholder and family farmers.
RCS For Family FarmingDuring the International Year of Family Farming, FAO convened an international Forum on Communication for Development & Community Media for Family Farming (FCCM), in collaboration with the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC). The Forum participants addressed opportunities for promoting rural communication services as sustained, inclusive and efficient communication processes involving family farmers and the rural population, and considered how to better integrate these services into agricultural policies.