this document - Rural Access Programme

Government of Nepal
from the British people
Bikashko Baato
Review
Rural Access Programme (RAP)
Phase 3
Review of FM Radio Content
March 2016
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RURAL ACCESS
PROGRAMME 3
Introd uction
As part of the RAP district communication strategy, the weekly RAP 3 sponsored Radio Show is an
important component. Titled as Road to Development, this program is driven entirely by local people and
development issues that receive importance at the local level. Using a toll free number provided, local
people are encouraged to express their thoughts and experiences on what's working and what's not
working with the RAP program as well as other broader development issues.
The thoughts and
experiences can be left asa voice message. All such messagesare collated centrally and fed into the show.
An NGO known as the Antenna Foundation Nepal (AFN) with considerable experience in public sector
broadcasting has been contracted to conduct Road to Development. Obviously, the show is in Nepali with
considerable use of local dialects .
Antenna Foundation Nepal and Outputs
AFN was established in 2002 and since then it has been able to work with more than 300 FM radio stations.
Its wo rk has covered a' broad range of-subjects e.g. community development, health, human rights,
security, justice sector reform, governance, violence against women, conflict management, peace­
building etc. From its head office in Kathmandu, AFN provides editorial oversight and helps build capacities
of partner radio journalists based in the districts.
RAP has entered into a contract with AFN to conduct 52 radio shows to deliver its message of Road to
Development in order that this campaign results in communities reporting increased perception of
ownership over their own development.
Each radio show lasts 30 minutes and is spread over 4 majo r themes namely:
•
Development News: Major development news from project districts (2-3 minutes);
•
Field Reports: In depth stories from the field illustrating the impact RAP and other development
programmes are having on real lives (7-9 minutes);
•
Interviews: Questions to government officials, political party leaders, CSOs etc on current
development activities (4-5 minutes);
•
Discussion and debate : space for airing genuine concerns raised by public and exploring possible
solutions with responsible authorities (7-9 minutes) .
AFN is expected to deliver the following outputs:
•
Creation of a weekly radio show - Road to Development (Bikash ko Bato);
•
Introducing RAP's approach and values;
•
Sharing examples of positive change in communities;
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•
Increasing community participation by initiating debates and dialogues around public concerns
and ways to improve the programme
•
Sharing district-level project information.
Study Objective and Methodology
To date, Antenna Foundation has broadcasted 34 episodes over 34 weeks. The present study's objective
is to evaluate ANF progress in delivering the above outputs and provide recommendations to RAP on the
overall radio program.
All the 34 episodes were obtained by contacting AFN and each episode was replayed to assess delivery of
the above outputs. The evaluation is entirely based on the supply side information available to the
consultant, namely the 34 broadcasted episodes. How listeners in the Far West and Mid-West Nepal
assess the programme is not known to us. As such, the recommendations provided at the end of this
short study are entirely one sided.
Results and Discussions
Dur ing the study period all 34 episodes were listened to get a general idea of what message is being
delivered to the people in the West. However, for more detail analysis the study sampled about 20
episodes to go into more details.
All episodes revolve around status of development obstacles to development in all the districts ofthe Mid
West and Far West
Development Region. This region comprises
of the
following districts
namelynamelyDoti, Dadeldhura, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Humla, Darchula, Dopa, Jumla, Kalikot, Jajarjot,
Kailali,
Kanchanpur. However,
core districts in the
region are Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Achham,
Bajura,Dailekh, Doti, Hurnla, Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu(see map below) .
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I
MAP OF NEPAL
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ADMINISTRATIVE DMSION
75 Dlslrlcts, 14 Zones, 5 Regions
CHI N A
lDlcmstionaI BoUDdzy
ReglonaJ Boandry
Zonal Bouodry
District Boundry
KTM •
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Kathmandu
Bhaktapur
()ndhakur'.Itgo.oom
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I N D I A
All episodes are in Nepali with a considerable use of local words, phrases and dialects but generally
understandable to a native Nepali speaking person. The use of local words, phrases and dialects make the
episodes effective in its delivery as even illiterate people understand the message. In many episodes there
is a short song sung that conveys a general opinion of the topic that is being addressed. This is popular
social communication method that is fairly common in Nepal and particularly in the West, where the radio
broadcast is being delivered .
All the episodes generally follow the outline agreed in the contract namely development news, field
reports, interviews and discussion. The field reports often blend with interviews and discussion and make
the episodes interesting to the listeners. What this means is that the field reports deal with an ongoing
project or a project that was already sanctioned but for some reason has failed to be implemented and
then interviews are carried out with the local authority on status of the project. Also successful projects
that are benefiting local people have also been featured and local beneficiaries interviewed to identify
how they have benefitted. Issues that have helped women are usually narrated by the male host, which
is also a very good way of encouraging other men to follow examples.
Development practices that have brought about positive change to peoples' lives are also discussed. For
e.g. a road brought farmers guarantees to sell crops, or women who trained and earned the same amount
as men for the same job are discussed and interviews are held with the people who have benefitted . The
hosts then add to the story about how opportunity is the only thing lacking. This approach seems very
positive as it gives both hope and encouragement.
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The coverage of the development topics has been fairly wide - political, social, women issues, children
malnutrition, schooling, embezzlement of funds and corruption, youth migration and unemployment etc.
The broadcasts have focused a great deal on and around roads. Where villages have not yet been touched
by roads, the demands for roads are strongly expressed. Where roads have reached, better transport
services and maintenance of the road to make it more vehicle-friendly and pliable are expressed. The
general opin ion of the people in areas where roads have reached is that new benefits have emerged and
their farm produce have received more favorable prices compared to when there were no roads. At the
same time in areas that have been unable to produce more or export their products to the markets,
people have expressed that the road has increased their expenditures as more consumer items have
become available in the market.
Some episodes include RAP's work. People who have been affected by RAP's work are interviewed, and
that blends into a group discussion. The locals interviewed mention similar positive points like above .
Some of the episodes have also highlighted the importance of water resource of the area not only fo r the
production of electricity but also for irrigation. Interestingly electricity is discussed more in the context
of irrigation rather in the context of lightning. This type of discussion also expresses that rural people are
now moving out of the mentality that electricity was synonyms to lighting ("boW balni") for development.
Locals wonder why there are micro hydro projects at VDC level, but no hydro at DDC level. Expressions
are made that water is wasted and could be used to generate electricity to pump water to the fields to
enhance productivity and also increase availability of drinking water. With road and electricity people
express that development can move ahead smoothly.
Water is also cited as a major issue in toilets. The lack of water seems to be the major reason why people
do not use toilets in areas where toilets are constructed. Even though some VDCs were declared open
defecation free zones years back, lack of water and enforcement means people continue to defecate
openly.
Similarly, this lack of enforcement is cited as a major problem for the hampering of development. This
lack of enforcement even when laws, regulat ions, and opportunities exist include open defecation,
workers missing in health posts, no accountability, people having to live without property papers, and
discrimination of women, etc.
Women issues have also been discussed in many episodes) and covers the need to eradicate social taboos
like chaupadi. Increased awareness among women and skill development has opened new employment
opportunities (masonry , painter radio announcer, contractors etc.), but wage gaps continues to remain.
Increasing women access to health service continues to remain rhetorical.
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Some episodes have focused on development funds and their misuse or embezzlement. One episode
focused on KEP and misuse of funds. Another episode focused on bringing awareness to the people on
whistle blowing and to expose people who have embezzled the funds through the radio program. People
questioned where development funds allocated by the central government to the districts on various
programs were spent and who responsible people for the funds are. Why some development funds get
frozen even before projects are implemented. The central government provides development funds to
the parliaments for development activities in their constituencies and is a topic that has also been
featured in the radio program. Questions have also been raised on why despite ten years of the peace
accord the infrastructures destroyed during the armed conflict period have not been reconstructed. It
was also pointed out that senior government officials are often never present in the district offices since
they are mostly on travel to attend meetings and to participate in workshops and seminars in urban
centers. This was pointed out as a major cause in the slow decision making in the districts. A list of the
major topics covered in these episodes is provided in Table 1.
Conclusions
In general the Road to Development radio program is a good source of information on development that
are relatable to the local people and their livelihoods. The language used is simple and the messages are
easy to grasp. The various topics covered are to the point. Another interesting point of the program is
that it provides a message of hope and encouragement to the local people based on the success of
development programmes in the region.
In an area where literacy rate is low and access to information is also poor, raising accountability issues
freq uently is likely to generate greater and wider awareness among the people in the region about how
their elected representatives and government officials utilize the development funds. This important
issue has received good coverage in the episodes. The radio programme also has covered issues faced
by women fairly well in the 34 episodes so far broadcasted.
Further, Road to Development is also a unique program in Nepal as other programs focus more in
Kathmandu or the central region of the country. This program focuses on the Midwest and Far west
regions, the two poorest regions in the country. The fact that the program uses local dialects and local
people, government officials, and politicians as interviewees not only make it unique compared to other
programs but also make it more relatable to the people there. Additionally, the availability of the program
through AFN's website also makes the program extremely accessible to other Nepalis around the country
or even abroad.
Some weakness was also observed in the Road to Development programme. There is excess focus on
road construction or the lack of it. What is happening to the transport services and transport cost, which
are important issues have yet to receive more focused discussion as both of these factors are of prime
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importance in generating sustainable benefits to local people. The topic on overall education also has yet
to receive the attention due.
Social taboos that are biased against women also need to be mo re
condemned .
In the 34 episodes, RAP3 SED activities were not featured prominently. Why this might be the case is an
issue for RAP team to monitor. After all a major aim of th is broadcast is also to advertise RAP3 activities
Local potentials inadequately highlighted and the success of SED activities will add greater value to the
roads RAP is helping construct. At the same time the re is need to also highlight more the different
successful development activities that are taking place in the region and help local people uptake such
successes in areas where RAP is constructing the roads.
In conclusion AFN should give more focus to socio economic development and how benefits are generated
from roads to balance the current over emphasis on construction. Dissemination of RAP3 SED successes
as well as other success stories of improving livelihoods will add more value to the programme. These
additions will likely make the episodes more development oriented.
The Road to Development
programme fills a necessary gap regarding development inf ormat ion in this region of Nepal that is lagging
in almost all aspects of development. Last but not the least it is recommended that this programme must
contin ue.
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Episodes
Thematic summary of Episodes
1
Not only is the road having impacts on economic and social lives of the people
but in particular it is having many positive impacts on women .
2
Roads alone are not sufficient to promote development, electricity is equally
necessary.
3
Chaupada has retarded development and has yet to disappear in West Nepal.
Flood is hampering electricity production in Gotti Chaur.
4
Despite water availability in the region, drinking water continues to be a shoratge
and many projects remain incomplete despite availability of funds . Importance
of water availability and positive impacts on health.
5
Women are lagging behind in all aspects of society but th is is changing as
women's awareness is increasing with education.
6
Unofficial blockade by India disrupted children's educat ion and transport costs
and prices have risen
7
Many villages have not experienced any development for decades and many who
try to go abroad for employment get cheated by agents who promise them jobs
abroad .
8
Fish production in Bardiya increasing significantly; women issues
9
Schools getting more toilets, but water problems persist, no transport of goods
due to blockade, Jumla-Surkhet highway black topped .
10
Road has reached Gamgadi-Mugu but many areas remain inaccessible
11
New constitution finally here but in nine years country has lost a lot - local
potentials and development opportunities in various districts stagnant, youths
unemployed. Upper Karnali hydro power project no progress.
12
Karnali highway has brought changes but people still face problems of walking
days, no health facilities. Additionally, roads has also tempted people to sell
lands and stop farming, resulting in agricultural production crisis in parts of
Jumla.
13
14
Agricultural development progressing with farm mechanization and helping
vegetable production; women benefiting due to improved cooking stoves; farm
mecha nization
New teach ing methods in Jumla schools, implementation of health and hygiene
programs still facing problems.
15
Employment opportunities for women diversifying e.g, masonry, painter,
contractors, radio announcer, etc. Wage gap remains.
16
Development must help improve life in village; focus on reduction of child (below
5 yrs) and maternal mortality and existing health infrastructure. Things
improving and women's access to facilities improving.
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17
After 12 years Kolti -Martadai road still incomplete; road not engineered
professionally, in bad shape, contractor changing often and no authority seem to
be concerned.
18
Lack of dumpsite makes Jumla's trash thrown around streets, young students
want to serve their districts after education but access to education still difficult
and lack of subject choices for students.
Despite hydro power project starting 10 years ago in Kalikot (30 VDCs), electricity
is still unreliable and people continue to depend on kerosene, candles, firewood;
people facing many difficulties; solar power shop available but many people
unable to afford
Open defecation and problems faced .
19
20
21
Women rights increasing, women success stories shared to educate and
encourage other women and men.
22
Road development bringing positive change in lives.
23
Road development making access to goods easy, peoples' produce also being
sold, and markets and trade increasing.
24
Inefficacy and embezzlement of development funds focusing on Karnali
Employment Project and suspension bridges & RAP suspension bridge in Doti
(2006) and ongoing investigations
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25
Expose, through the radio programmme, people who embezzle development
fund allocated to villages.
26
Discussion of youth employment programme implemented by the government
seven years ago and its outcome.
27
People unaware of the agricultural subsidy provided by government; government
report increased demand for fertilizers and seeds but farmers indicate their
demands are never met on time.
28
Over the last 5 years due to the regular bandhs and other agitations no
employment and people forced to migrate abroad for work for which people
have to take large loans.
29
Although the current constitution guarantees health services to all, women are
poorly treated in their own homes.
30
31
Senior officials at the district office are seldom available locally as they are often
traveling to the bigger cities to attend meetings, seminars and workshops.
Decision making is delayed and this does not help the local people.
Budget for bridge construction frozen even before tender was called and so local
people initiated construction and completed a wooden bridge on which vehicles
can ply.
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32
During the 10 years (1995/96 - 2005/06) of armed conflict many development
infrastructures were demol ished. Ten years after the peace accord the state of
development in this region is discussed.
33
Util ization of development funds provided by the government to the
parliamentarians in thei r constituencies.
34
Within the last 5 years, 5 out of 9 airplane crashes have occurred in this region .
How secured is our travel industry?
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