Zuma Agric Radio (88.5 FM) has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to improve access to agricultural information, enhance farmer education, and promote sustainable rural development across Nigeria.
The collaboration will see both organisations jointly develop and produce agricultural radio programmes, co-brand dedicated Radio IITA–Zuma FM segments, and implement training initiatives for farmers and young people. Participants in selected capacity-building programmes will also receive jointly certified IITA–Zuma certificates.
As part of the agreement, IITA will serve as the technical partner for the annual Zuma Agricultural Harvest Festival, providing support through agricultural exhibitions, expert presentations, and live broadcast sessions. Zuma Agric Radio will, in turn, offer studio facilities, airtime, programme production, field recordings, community mobilisation, and media coverage across Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking on the partnership, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zuma Agric Radio, Shuaibu Kere Ahmed, described the agreement as a major milestone in the station’s more than two decades of promoting rural development through agricultural broadcasting.
He said the collaboration combines IITA’s globally recognised agricultural research expertise with Zuma Agric Radio’s strong connection to rural farming communities.
“This collaboration brings together IITA’s world-class agricultural research and Zuma Agric Radio’s deep roots within rural communities. Together, we will ensure that practical, research-driven solutions reach the farmers who need them most,” Ahmed said.
According to him, the partnership will help bridge the gap between agricultural research and local farmers by making science-based farming knowledge more accessible through radio broadcasts, training programmes, and community engagement activities.
The agreement is also expected to strengthen Zuma Agric Radio’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for agricultural extension and rural communication, using broadcasting, practical training, and grassroots outreach to improve farmers’ livelihoods, encourage innovation, and support sustainable agricultural development.
