| This research details the relationship between local broadcast radio (or so-called "rural radio") and water resource planning and management for sub-Saharan Africa's most vulnerable populations. Special consideration is given to management of water resources for smallholder farming and food production, a primary need in most rural communities. Building on current literature related to participatory resource management and the role of local broadcast radio in the region, this discussion uses recent research from southern Madagascar to provide guidelines for implementation of a radio-based planning component. These guidelines address the positive and negative aspects of using broadcast radio as a tool to facilitate water resource planning and management. In general, the analysis indicates that planners can employ local broadcast radio to the benefit of participatory projects, broadening stakeholder involvement and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable water management practices. These findings are reinforced by the author's practical experience, as well as the experiences of development professionals, researchers, and academics interviewed for this study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
