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
Farmers and Scientists Working Together
Example 1 – Farmers and scientists re-discover and improve a traditional livestock cure Sheep farming is common in the highlands of Peru. But a continuing problem for some sheep farmers is a parasite called ‘sheep ked’. This parasite weakens sheep, and damages the hide and fleece. The sheep do not produce as much meat, and the…
Improve Rice Yields Without Buying Fertilizer
What is a green manure crop? A green manure is a crop grown especially to add nitrogen to the soil. It is planted before or after rice, when the land is vacant. Then it is ploughed into the soil, while still green, as fertilizer. Green manure crops can: Provide free nitrogen Reduce fertilizer costs Reduce…
Storing Seeds in a Community Seed Bank
ANNOUNCER: Today we are continuing our series on community seed banks. In the last few [programs, days, weeks, ___________], we have learned how to decide whether your community needs a seed bank, how to find people to help with the bank, and different methods of collecting seeds for your bank. Today’s program is about storing…
Collecting Seeds for a Community Seed Bank
ANNOUNCER: Today, we are continuing our series on community seed banks. In previous programs, we talked about how seed banks protect local varieties of crops, and the importance of finding people in your community who will share the work of running the bank. The next part of building a seed bank is to collect the…
Food, Fruit and Fuelwood from a Small Hillside Farm
There is a way that you can produce food, fruit, animal feed, fertilizer, fuelwood and timber — all these things at once — on a small hillside plot. Farmers in the Philippines use this method. They plant trees in rows up the side of the hill. The trees hold the soil in place and prevent…
The Many Uses of Water Hyacinth
FADE UP MUSIC. FADE DOWN MUSIC. ANNOUNCER: Today you are going to hear about the many uses of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). The water hyacinth grows all over the world. It is a purple flowering plant that covers many ponds and rivers. Water hyacinth grows very, very quickly. Fish cannot breathe and boats cannot…
Save Soil on Hillside Plots
ANNOUNCER: Is it possible to grow vegetables on a steep slope and prevent soil erosion at the same time? Farmers in a hilly part of Nigeria have a special way of growing vegetables on steep slopes. The method prevents good soil from washing down the hillsides, and holds water in the soil. And farmers can…
Garden While you Shower
I’m gardening with my shower Don’t think I want to stop I’m bathing with my garden And I’m watering my crop ANNOUNCER: Bathing with your fruits and vegetables may not sound like fun, but it can be very practical. The water that drains from your shower will irrigate vegetables and tree seedlings. You can even…