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Inspired by the popularity of American and British home makeover shows, a television producer in Kenya has created a farming reality show that is helping farmers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania do a better job. The program now has more than seven million viewers. Entertaining, educating audiences David Campbell has lived in Kenya since 1979, using the mass media to teach farmers how to improve their techniques. As director of the company Mediae, Campbell aims to both educate and entertain his audiences. After learning that 70 percent of the viewers for his popular TV drama "Makutano Junction" came from rural areas, Campbell created a farm makeover show, called "Shamba Shape-Up." He says that while research projects and development programs may help a small group of farmers, his unique programming has a much wider impact. “Here, we have a TV show that can reach seven or eight million people in the region, who are in the cash economy, who can participate in this kind of work. And they’re not being reached. And that’s why the underscore of this whole thing is that we need to reach people because development will happen when people know what they can do and how they can participate,” stated Campbell. True to life TV Each episode begins with a farmer explaining his or her agricultural problems to the program’s presenters and experts. The team provides advice and assists the farmer with planting, harvesting, pest eradication, livestock care, and even financial literacy. At the end of the show, viewers can send a text message to receive a leaflet about the information discussed during the episode. | 
