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
Recommended breastfeeding and weaning practices
Introduction Breastfeeding Why is this topic important to listeners? To help listeners understand that breastfeeding is not a sign of poverty. To help listeners understand that breastmilk is free and appropriate for a baby’s needs. To help listeners understand that bottle-feeding often exposes young children to health problems (oral and pharyngeal infections, gastroenteritis, etc.), especially…
Impacts of COVID-19 on older people, persons with disabilities, and immuno-compromised persons
Introduction COVID-19 is a serious pandemic that needs urgent attention to check its advance and impact on people’s health, lifestyles, and economic status. Consequently, it is important to reach all sectors of society to raise awareness about this pandemic. Specific measures to prevent infection and transmission have been designed. These include wearing face masks, keeping…
Fertility, pregnancy, and COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa — How does COVID-19 affect women’s reproductive health?
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis caused by a virus that appeared in China in late 2019. In January 2020, this infectious disease began to spread to Europe and the Americas and eventually reached Africa, with Egypt announcing the continent’s first confirmed case on February 14, 2020. (1) Less than two weeks…
Benefits of crop companion planting and mutualism
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because small-scale farmers should know: How growing certain crops together (mixed cropping) can increase their yields. Which crops that can be grown together without interfering with each other’s growth and maturity, for example maize and legume crops. There is also a mutualism between maize and legumes…
Control of cassava brown streak disease in Zambia
Introduction Cassava is the second largest agricultural crop after maize in Zambia. Cassava is predominantly grown in the Northern, Luapula, North-Western, and Western provinces where it is considered a staple crop and has been the main source of livelihoods for many generations. Although an estimated 92% of cassava produced in the country is consumed…
Rights of rural women in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia
Introduction The status of women in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is much the same as in other countries in Africa. This backgrounder focuses on the situation in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia, SADC countries that have signed regional and international agreements on gender equality and women’s empowerment, including the Maputo Protocol on the Rights…
Rights of rural women in Ethiopia
Introduction Ethiopian women have played the traditional role of mother and homemaker in both rural and urban areas. In addition to their farming work, women also engage in unpaid work in their household such as cooking for the family, grinding grain, fetching water, gathering fuelwood, doing laundry, and cleaning barns. However, their work has never…
Production and post-harvest activities for rice in Ghana
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because rice farmers in Ghana should know: How to prepare their lands for cultivating rice. The volume of seeds to sow when planting and how to space them. How to select land that is suitable for rice production. The ideal climate for rice production in central and…
Finances for farmers
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? It is important because farmers should be financially literate. In other words, they should possess the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective decisions regarding finances related to the following issues: Available agricultural support funds. Available financial institutions, both government and non-governmental organizations. How to access…
Post-harvest activities in pigeon pea
Introduction Almost one-quarter (22%) of total pigeon pea production in Mozambique is lost due to lack of effective pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest practices. Promoting the adoption of improved pre- and post-harvest practices and practices to control moisture levels can not only increase yields and quality, but also: substantially minimize post-harvest losses, encourage farmers to increase…