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
Rights of rural women in Senegal
Save and edit this resource as a Word document 1. Introduction In Senegal, rural women account for more than 60% of the agricultural production force and produce 80% of food. But their prominent place in the production chain does not reflect the realities they face. Indeed, the weight of tradition and custom relegates women to…
COVID-19 and farmers: Responding to a pandemic in rural Rwanda
Introduction Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa at just over 26,000 square kilometres. In contrast, its neighbour, Tanzania, is 35 times as large. Rwanda borders Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania. The country is hilly with highly fertile soils, and its economy is largely based on subsistence agriculture.…
Good agricultural practices for vegetable production in Ghana
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because farmers involved in vegetable production should know: The land preparation required to grow vegetables. The types of vegetables to grow in their region. How to manage growing vegetables on their farm. How to control pests in growing vegetables. The right time to harvest mature vegetables. Diseases…
Glossary of key terms associated with COVID-19
Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world, including sub-Saharan Africa. As with other health issues, when referring to COVID-19, specific terms are required. These terms have specific definitions. Rural broadcasters and their audiences need a common understanding of these words so that everyone can fully grasp how the virus works and…
Fires deliberately set for agriculture, their impacts and alternatives
Introduction Today, soil degradation is occurring in most parts of Africa. This manifests in the impoverishment of agricultural land, the destruction of forests, soil erosion, and other impacts. Human activities have played a part in this. For example, certain agricultural practices such as deliberately-set fires have a negative impact on soils and the general…
The state of adolescent reproductive and sexual health and health care in Burkina Faso
Why is it important to talk about it? Adolescence is a period of opportunities but also of risks. Behaviors during adolescence have repercussions for adult life. Talking about adolescent reproductive and sexual health helps to extend sexual education programs to adolescents and youth out of school, who make up the majority of this age group.…
How to keep food fresh for longer
Introduction: With restricted movement in most sub-Saharan countries because of COVID-19, many markets for fresh food are closed or restricted. This impacts vendors, traders, and consumers. While, so far, value chains for grains and legumes are not as strongly affected, consumers are much less able to find fresh foods for their family, especially fruit and…
The rights of rural women in Burkina Faso
Save and edit this resource as a Word document Introduction The status of women in Burkina Faso is much the same as in neighbouring countries. Rural women derive most of their income from agriculture, animal breeding, and trade. Despite the recognition of women’s rights enshrined in the Constitution and other national laws, as well…
Nutrition
Good nutrition depends mainly on consuming food with high levels of both macronutrients and micronutrients. A balanced diet means that you have a balance between the different kinds of macronutrients as well as a sufficient intake of vitamins and trace elements. Macronutrients include proteins, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates. These are the three so-called “energy elements”…