Backgrounders
Backgrounders are brief introductions to important and technical topics and Answers to frequently asked questions share key information on a topic.
Use this information to plan an episode or series of episodes on the topic, to prepare for an interview, or to answer questions from callers.
- All
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Children and youth
- Climate change
- Community development
- Crop production
- Energy
- Environment and climate change
- Gender equality
- Health
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Land issues
- Livestock and beekeeping
- Marketing and market information
- Nature-based Solutions
- Nutrition
- Post-harvest activities
- Social issues
- Soil health
- Trees and agroforestry
- Water management
Post-harvest activities in cassava
Introduction Cassava originated in tropical South America. It was introduced to the Congo Basin in the mid-1500s, and to East Africa in the 1700s. In Africa, 93 percent of cassava produced is consumed as food, making it vital for food security in rural households. Over 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa rely on cassava as…
Growing soybean
Introduction Soybean (Glycine max) originated in East Asia, and was introduced to Africa in the late 1800s, and to Tanzania in the early 1900s. Most soybean in Tanzania is grown in the Southern Highlands. There is an increasing demand for soybean to nutritionally fortify human foods. Many small- to medium-scale processors (mostly women) in Tanzania…
Cassava mosaic disease
Why is this subject important to listeners? Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is the most severe and widespread plant disease in sub-Saharan Africa. CMD-affected cassava plants produce few or no tubers, depending on the severity of the disease and the age of the plant at the time of infection. CMD causes significant yield loss (up to…
Growing common bean
Introduction Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most popular food legume* in the world. It was introduced to Tanzania about 300 years ago. In Tanzania and much of East Africa, common bean is grown for home consumption and for sale. East African farmers produce more than half of common beans grown in in Africa.…
Soil erosion
Save and edit this resource as a Word document. Why is this subject important to listeners? Soil erosion reduces crop yields and silts up waterways, resulting in lower crop production, flooding, and pollution. On average, past soil erosion on agricultural land in Africa has reduced yields by more than 8% since the land was first…
Soil fertility
Save and edit this resource as a Word document. Introduction Soil fertility has been defined as “the capacity of soil to supply sufficient quantities and proportions of essential nutrients and water required for optimal growth of specified plants as governed by the soil’s chemical, physical, and biological attributes.” Agriculture is the main source of both…
Cowpea post-harvest activities
Introduction and how to use this issue pack This issue pack is designed to give radio broadcasters the information needed to create effective and entertaining radio programs about post-harvest activities in cowpea. It talks about post-harvest cowpea in northern Ghana, but you can easily adapt the information to other sub-Saharan African countries where cowpeas are…
Maize production
Save and edit this resource as a Word document. Introduction: Maize is the most important cereal crop in sub-Saharan Africa, and can be grown by farmers in many different environments without irrigation. In addition to being an important source of food for humans, it is the most effective of all the cereal grains as a…
Growing tef
Introduction Ethiopians plant more tef than any other cereal, and produce and consume more tef than any other cereal except maize. Approximately five million Ethiopian households grow tef on about three million hectares of land. The scientific name of tef is Eragrostis tef, and the crop is believed to have originated in Ethiopia. Tef accounts…
Chicken diseases
Story about dealing with chicken diseases Sogodogo Sarata Berthé is a 65-year-old widow living in Bougouni, 165 kilometres from Bamako, the capital of Mali. After retiring from the Malian postal service, Sarata completely shifted to raising poultry. But like any woman wanting to become an entrepreneur, she faced challenges.She started by successfully raising local chickens…