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
What is Integrated Pest Management?
These days many farmers use only one type of pest control. Many use only chemical pesticides. But using only pesticides can cause problems. At first, you might find that chemical pesticides work well. But pesticides do not only kill bad pests: they also kill many of the good or friendly insects which eat the pests. …
Traditional, Hybrid, and Improved Crops
Some of the crops you grow have probably been important in your region for generations. There are good reasons to keep on planting these traditional crops. Traditional crops are adapted to local growing conditions. A crop does well in a particular region because it has qualities that help it survive the conditions it faces there. …
Keep Your cattle in good condition with poultry manure
We often hear nurses and village health workers talk about eating nutritious foods. Energy‑giving foods give us the strength to work and exercise. Body‑building foods help us repair damaged body tissue. Vitamins and minerals protect us from disease. Cattle are like us: they need nutritious food to keep healthy. Many farmers have trouble keeping their…
Working with Saline Soil
Saline soil is a problem for many farmers. Saline soil is especially common in low-lying areas such as the flood plains of rivers, lake beds, and coastal plains. In these places, ground water containing salts is found within a few metres of the surface. Most plants either do not grow well in saline soil or…
What is Happening to the Weather?
Is the weather getting worse where you live? Does the sun seem to burn hotter? Do the rains fail to fall? Some scientists believe what is happening is different from the year‑in, year‑out changes in the weather that farmers have always had to put up with. And they think pollution from such sources as big…
Get to Know Medicinal Plants and How to Use Them
When someone in your family or community gets sick or injured, what do you do? Buying medicine can be expensive. And if you live far from a clinic or medical centre, it may be difficult to find the drugs you need. Commercial drugs may seem like a good idea, but if you cannot afford to…
Farm in a Box
Do you think that because you live in a town or a city you cannot grow food for your family or for the market? In almost no space at all, some city families grow crops that improve their diet and earn them money too! They learned that growing crops in rows in fields is not…
Women Know the World Around Them
Do you remember how your mother used to know just what kind of tea to make for you when you were sick? Or how she always knew where to find the best soil for planting vegetables? Chances are your mother knew a great deal more that could help your family stay healthy and well‑fed. In…
Conserve water: Apply water directly to plant roots, use waste for irrigation
When water is scarce, you need to make the most of every last drop. You can conserve water by applying it directly to plant roots, and by using waste water for irrigation. In times of drought, farmers have to struggle to make the most of every little bit of water. Nothing can be wasted. Here…
Treat Coughs with Ginger, Lime and Tamarind
For centuries, people have used plants to treat diseases and promote good health. Many manufactured drugs are made from chemicals found in plants. For example, aspirin was developed from a substance taken from the bark of a willow tree. Here is an example of a plant medicine you can make at home. It is easy…