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
Pregnant women and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis caused by an infectious disease that appeared in late 2019 in China. In January 2020, the disease began to spread to Europe and America and eventually reached Africa and then Burkina Faso. On March 3, 2020, Burkina Faso authorities announced the development of a plan costing billions.…
Succession planning and shared decision-making in family farming
Why is this subject important to listeners? Because family farmers should know: The benefits they can receive by engaging their wives and children (youth) in the family farm as co-decision-makers. How to make shared decisions in a family farming household. How to involve children and youth as they grow into adulthood to ensure that family…
Honey production in Ethiopia
Why is this subject important to listeners? To learn how beekeeping can generate employment and income. To understand bees’ roles not just for honey production but as pollinators. So farmers can understand the tasks required for honey production. To become familiar with beekeeping by-products such as wax. To identify the plants which provide pollen and…
Post-harvest activities in soybeans in Malawi
Why is this subject important to listeners? Soybean is a versatile legume that is widely grown in Malawi and has numerous uses and many benefits. Malawian soy comprises 8% of southern Africa production and has the potential to earn an equal amount of foreign exchange as tobacco. Soybean is mostly grown on small plots by…
Women’s roles in marketing farm produce
Introduction Women are key players in Ghanaian agriculture, accounting for 49% of the agricultural labour force, 70% of subsistence production, and 65% of food distributors and marketers. In agriculture, women are mainly unpaid household labourers, with the majority working on their husbands’ farms. While women play key roles in every aspect of the agricultural value…
Good hygiene for good health
Why worry about hygiene? Humans live in an environment that is not naturally favourable to them. Their health can be regularly affected or altered by natural (climatic, microbial), social or professional factors (promiscuity, pollution, nuisances, and urbanization). Hygiene and sanitation are among the most effective means of reducing the risk of transmission of diarrheal diseases,…
Managing Village Savings and Loan Associations safely during COVID-19
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because VSLA members (and organizations working with VSLAs) should know: How to support savings groups and their members during the COVID-19 crisis. Contingency plans for reaching VSLA members when movement is restricted. How to communicate to VSLA members during lockdowns. What advice to give VSLA members to…
Why and how youth should get involved in agriculture
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because potential youth farmers should know: The opportunities that exist across the full agricultural value chain. How to market their farm produce and popularize their agricultural innovations. How to use the media to promote their agricultural activities. How to process raw agricultural produce in line with safety…
Pest management in market gardening
Introduction The Kolda region presents many opportunities in market gardening. Crops vary according to the season, with the most prominent European vegetables including lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, carrot, turnip, gourd, parsley, and several varieties of chili peppers. These are cultivated during the cold season and are better adapted to the agroecological environment with less risk…
Organic fertilizers
This backgrounder discusses the nature and benefits of organic fertilizers and lists a variety of organic fertilizers that farmers may choose to use. What is soil? Soil fertility is strongly related to the organic matter content of the soil. The higher the organic matter content of a soil, the more potentially fertile it is. It…