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.
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- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Children and youth
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- Crop production
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- Nature-based Solutions
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Profit from Raising Rabbits in the City
Content: Keep rabbits in the city and profit from their meat, skin, fur, and dung. You can sell rabbits in the market to earn money, and eat rabbit meat to improve your family’s diet. Rabbits do not take up much space, they have lots of babies, and they are cheap and easy to feed. So…
Village-Based Forest Management in Ecuador
Today we introduce you to the people of Arenales, a small village of about 20 families in northwestern Ecuador. They are trying to save the tropical rain forest that is their home. Arenales is surrounded by one of the last remaining tropical rain forests in western Ecuador. Most of the rain forests in this region…
A Visit to Walk Softly Farm
Today we are going to visit an unusually efficient farm. Harvey and Nancy Harman grow vegetables, fruit, and flowers at Walk Softly Farm. On less than one hectare they produce enough vegetables for themselves and to sell to 25 other families. They grow at least four times as many vegetables as most other farmers grow…
Green Manure and Rice: How to Grow a Green Manure Crop
A green manure crop is a crop grown especially to provide nitrogen for the rice crop, and to add organic matter to the soil. It is planted before or after rice when the land is vacant. Then it is ploughed into the soil as fertilizer for the rice. It is important to choose the right…
Green Manure and Rice: Choose the Right Green Manure Crop
A green manure crop is a crop grown especially to provide nitrogen for the rice crop and to add organic matter to the soil. It is planted before or after rice when the land is vacant. Then it is ploughed into the soil as fertilizer for the rice. So growing a green manure crop is…
Green Manure and Rice: Get Higher Rice Yields with Green Manure Crops
Every farmer must think about how to get good yields, not only this season but year after year. As rice grows, it takes nutrients out of the soil. The crop uses about 20 kg nitrogen, 5 kg phosphorus, and 44 kg potassium to produce one ton of rice grain! When no fertilizer is added and…
A Woman Farmer Practises Zero Grazing
Which is better? One healthy cow or five skinny, sick cows? Which will make more money for the owner? One healthy cow or five scrawny, sick cows? Many small-scale farmers think that it is better to put more work into keeping one animal well-fed and healthy than to keep a number of animals that fend…
Coughs, Colds, and Pneumonia
Everyone gets coughs and colds. Young children get more coughs and colds than older children. Most get better without special medicine. But sometimes colds turn into pneumonia, which can be dangerous. How can you tell the difference between a cold and pneumonia? How should you look after a child who has pneumonia? And is there…
Grow Food in the City
When you think of growing food, do you think only of large farms out in the country? Do you think of fields and open spaces? Think again! You can grow crops and raise livestock right in the city. Growing food in the city is sometimes called “urban agriculture.” City people all over the world are…
Smart Eating Includes Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Children and adults need to eat dark green leafy vegetables to keep healthy and strong. Some people think eating leaves is only for animals, or for times when no other food is available. Others think they should only eat leaves when they are ill. But green leaves are good, healthy, and necessary food every day.…