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
A School Garden in India
There is a small village called Bhandarikuda in eastern India. It lies next to Chilika Lake, which is a famous saline lake. Many years ago, during the rainy season, the land around the village was submerged in lake water. Gangadhar Bidyaniketan is a secondary school located two kilometres away from the village in a lonely…
Farmers in Nicaragua Challenge El Nino
In the country of Nicaragua in Central America, many farmers are discouraged. They have lost interest in their work. Their soil is bare and exposed. If it rains hard the rain carries away the op soil. If there is very little rain the wind and the sun dry out the earth. But right next door,…
Choose Energy Sources Wisely
Have you heard about sustainable farming? It’s a way of farming that many farmers are talking about. Sustainable farming can also be called long-term farming or farming for the future. It means taking care of the land. In return the land will produce food for many years, so that your children’s children can enjoy good…
Farming for the Future: Some Practical Methods
Have you heard of sustainable farming? Many farmers and extension workers are talking about it. It could be the solution to some of your farming problems — problems that can make it difficult for you to harvest a good crop every season. Some of these problems are soil erosion, disappearing forests, and lack of water.…
Farming for the Future: Introduction
Do you know about sustainable farming? Many farmers are talking about it. It could be a solution to some of your farming problems. Sustainable farming can also be called long-term farming or farming for the future. It means taking care of the land. In return the land will produce food for many years. Farming for…
Banks open for small business
Today I’m going to ask you to use your imagination and dream a little. Imagine that you have the opportunity to borrow a small amount of money. Then think about how you could use this money to improve your business. If you are a farmer you might want to consider planting a new crop. For…
Woman Farmer Invents a Cassava Grinder
Olga Turner has farmed for many years in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica. She grows over twenty herbs, fruits and vegetables on her two and half acre family plot. She works hard and makes good use of the resources she has on her farm. This has made her a successful farmer. Olga grows and…
Marie and Jean Thomas Grow Tropical Flowers in Coconut Husks
Tropical flowers are pretty, but often expensive. Even in tropical countries where the best growing conditions exist naturally, flowers are usually costly to grow and buy. But they do not have to be. Here is a story of two women in Jamaica who found ways to make a profit growing flowers. Their story is a…
Medicinal Plants Reduce Muscle Pains
Method 1: Garlic, ginger and hot pepper oil The first method requires garlic, ginger and hot peppers. These three foods contain oils which warm the skin, relax the muscles, and reduce pain. You will need one handful each of garlic, ginger and red chili peppers. Chop the garlic and ginger into tiny pieces, and crush…
Iodine: The Hidden Hunger
In some parts of the world, you see people with a swelling at the front of their necks. They rub the swelling with all sorts of things to make it go away. The trouble is, nothing works. And that is because the problem isn’t the swelling. The swelling is just a warning. The real problem…