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
Rice production and post-harvest activities
Introduction Rice is a cereal crop in the grass family and belongs to the genus* Oryza, which includes two cultivated species of rice: Oryza sativa, from Asia, which is the most cultivated rice in the world, and Oryza glaberrima or African rice, which originated in Africa, and was first domesticated and grown in the Central…
Production and postharvest activities for fonio
Introduction Fonio, (Digitaria exilis), is considered the oldest cereal in West Africa. The Digitaria family includes more than 300 species. These are sometimes cultivated as forage plants, but only three or four are grown as cereals, including: Digitaria exilis or white fonio, Digitaria iburua or black fonio; Digitaria sanguinalis or crabgrass/Polish millet, grown…
Dairy production
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because farmers involved in dairy production should know: How to design and construct a proper cow barn. The breeds best suited for dairy production in their environment. How to feed dairy cows to ensure maximum milk production. How to milk cows properly. How to handle milk to…
Stroke
What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells lack a supply of oxygen, which causes cell damage and cell death. Depending on which part of the brain is affected and how quickly the person is treated, the impacts on stroke…
Seeds and seed breeding
Introduction The majority of human food starts as seeds, especially the seeds of cereal crops, legumes, nuts, vegetables, and fruit. Seeds are generally defined as embryonic plants developing inside a protective outer covering called a seed coat. Planting materials such as cuttings are also included in the broad definition of “seed,” as they are…
Malt barley production in Ethiopia
Why is this subject important to listeners? Barley is a traditional crop in Ethiopia. It has a deep-rooted history of being used in traditional food and beverages. Production of malting barley has a very short history. It is mainly associated with beer making in Ethiopia, which started in the early 1920s with the establishment…
Reducing post-harvest losses in tomatoes
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because farmers and processors who handle fresh tomatoes after harvest need to know: When tomatoes are ready for harvesting and how to properly harvest them. How to reduce on- and off-farm tomato losses. The right environmental conditions for storing fresh tomatoes. The degree of perishability of tomatoes…
Reducing post-harvest losses in maize
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because maize growers, traders, and processors should know: How to manage maize before harvesting to reduce post-harvest losses and infestation. The right harvesting equipment. The right time to harvest maize. How to effectively dry maize after harvest to avoid fungal infection and determine when it is sufficiently…
Reducing post-harvest losses in mango
Introduction Why is this subject important to listeners? Because farmers and processors handling fresh mangoes after harvesting should know: When a mango is ready for harvesting. The right times of day to harvest mangoes to minimize the latex flow that stains fruits, causing rejection in high-end and export markets. Best practices for harvesting and placing…
Backgrounder: Using permanent soil cover in conservation agriculture
Why is this subject important to listeners? Because farmers who are interested in maintaining permanent soil cover should know: How covering the soil contributes to soil health. The various methods of maintaining soil cover. The types of crops and crop residues best used to cover the soil. The amount of soil cover required. (Conservation agriculture…