IFAJ President Lena Johansson Visits KJ Chaupal, Discusses Global Agri Journalism Scenario

Lena Johansson, President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Lindy Botha, Journalist, Presenter, and Communication Specialist, Target Communication, South Africa and Elida Thiery, Periodista Freelance, Argentina, South America visited KJ Chaupal to interact with the Krishi Jagran team and members of Agriculture Journalist Association of India (AJAI) in New Delhi, today. 

Speaking about the need for there to be more agri journalists and youth involvement in the agriculture sector, Botha said, "It's such a privilege to be here and meet so many agri journalists, especially the young agri journalists. It is inspiring to see the interest you have in agriculture mainly because in my country the younger generation of journalists doesn't really know much about agriculture. We are trying to encourage them to join this beat of journalism so it's going to be wonderful to go back home and tell everyone about the thriving industry you have here. Agri journalists have a very important role to play since they have the power to influence the agriculture sector in India. The type of audience you have here is hungry for knowledge, and agri journalists have the power to absorb information from all over the world and disseminate it to the farmers." 

Elida Thiery, Periodista Freelance, Argentina, South America, agreed with Lindy Botha in her speech and spoke about her own agri journalism journey. She said that her father was a journalist and that journalism is in her blood. She discovered agri journalism 16 years ago and finds it a really good sector to work in. She also mentioned what she wants us to take away is that sometimes we have bad news as well as good stories to share with the world. She encouraged us to share a good story every day and nourish the world in our own way. 

Talking about Krishi Jagran being a member of IFAJ, she said she will be giving the best recommendations in front of the general assembly at the congress in Canada next year for Krishi Jagran to become a member of the IFAJ.

Talking about the current agri journalism scenario she said, "I am happy to see so many young agriculture journalists and as the first woman president of IFAJ, I am especially happy to see so many young women because all of you are the future of agriculture, both men and women. It's great to travel around the world with IFAJ because usually when we are with other journalists, agri journalism is seen as something that is not as important as the other beats but when you are with IFAJ journalists, you realize agri journalism is maybe the most important type of journalism because, without farmers, the world cannot sustain." 

Welcoming the guests with gusto, M C Dominic expressed his gratitude towards the guests for today's session and said that Lena, Elida, and Lindy are leading the path for agri journalism and are a huge source of inspiration for agri journalists all over the world. COO of Krishi Jagran and the newly appointed DG of AJAI, Dr P K Pant then concluded the session with a vote of thanks.