Notes to broadcasters
There are many reasons to grow soybean. Soybeans are highly nutritious, containing 40% protein. Soybean can be used as food for the household, and processed into soya milk, cooking oil, and a range of other products, including infant weaning food. It is also a good source of protein in animal feeds.
Soybean is in high demand in the market and brings a good price, so growing and selling the crop can boost farmers’ incomes.
Finally, the crop residues are rich in nitrogen, so they increase soil fertility. But, like other crops, soybean does much better when farmers use specific practices. For example, when they plant new or traditional seed varieties recommended by agricultural experts and use correct spacing between rows and between plants in a row.
This drama shows that farming knowledge can come from unexpected places. A community is having great difficulty with poor soybean harvests, and they cannot discover the cause of their problem. In the end, they are rescued by an unlikely source: a teenaged boy from a neighbouring community.
You could use this drama as inspiration to produce a similar program on recommended practices for growing soybean in your area. Or you might choose to present this drama as part of your regular farmer program, using voice actors to represent the speakers.
You could follow the drama by interviewing soybean farmers and experts. Invite listeners to call-in or text-in with questions and comments. Topics for discussion might include:
• What are the best opportunities for growers to market their soybeans?
• What are the most persistent or difficult challenges that soybean farmers face in the field, and what are some solutions to these challenges?
• Are there barriers to adopting these solutions?
Estimated running time: 25 minutes, with intro and outro music.
Script
Scene 1
Location: In Bibi Anase’s house. Day.
Characters: Bibi Anase, Madelina
Background SFX: Heavy knocks on the door
SFX:
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR BY BIBI ANASE
BIBI ANASE:
(NEAR THE MIC, SHOUTING) Mende! Mende! Hey, Mendelina!
SFX:
BIBI ANASE SHOUTS WHILE STILL KNOCKING AT THE DOOR
BIBI ANASE:
Mende! Hey, Mende, are you not going to school today?
MADELINA:
(VOICE FROM THE BEDROOM, FAR FROM MIC) Am coming, grandmother!
SFX:
DOOR OPENS
MADELINA:
(APPROACHING THE MIC) Grandmother, every day I tell you that my name is not pronounced Mendelina, it’s Madelina! How are you?
BIBI ANASE:
Hey, you will be late to school!
MADELINA:
Yeah, I was dressing!
BIBI ANASE:
You know what, my grandchild? You really like sleeping. Ok, let’s close the door; I also want to go somewhere.
MADELINA:
(SURPRISED) Oh! Where are you going, grandmother?
BIBI ANASE:
All the villagers have a meeting with the head of the district council. And I am late already!
MADELINA:
Meeting about what?
BIBI ANASE:
We are going to discuss this year’s soybean harvest.
Control:
Bibi Anase
Scene 2
Location: Ext. Mama John’s farmland. Day.
Characters: Bibi Anase, Mama John
Background SFX: Mama John tilling the ground
SFX:
MAMA JOHN DIGGING ON THE FARM
BIBI ANASE:
(APPROACHING THE MIC) Hey, Mama John, are you not going to the meeting today?
MAMA JOHN:
(CLOSER TO THE MIC) Hey, is the meeting today?
BIBI ANASE:
Oh! You don’t know? Eeh! How are you, first of all?
MAMA JOHN:
(EXHALES) Am fine. How about you?
BIBI ANASE:
Fine! Eeh! My dear, I can see you are already tilling the soil ready for this coming season.
MAMA JOHN:
My dear, I think you have seen this year’s harvest?
BIBI ANASE:
It’s okay, Mama John, let’s go to the meeting so that we can discuss altogether and come up with the solution.
SFX:
MBUWA (THE LOCAL DRUNK) IN THE BACKGROUND APPROACHING AND SINGING DRUNKENLY.
MAMA JOHN:
Wait! Do you remember my son Erick?
MBUWA:
(SINGING DRUNKENLY) When you see an old man crying, my dear lady! (BELCHING) Just know there is a … a proooblem!
MAMA JOHN:
(AUTHORITATIVELY) What is it now, Mbuwa? Early in the morning disturbing the peace?!
BIBI ANASE:
Can’t you see that he’s drunk, Mama John?
MBUWA:
(CONTINUES SINGING AS HE CRIES) When you see the old man crying, my dear lady, just know that there is a proooblem!
MAMA JOHN:
(LAUGHING) My goodness! Wonders of the world!
BIBI ANASE:
Why are you crying, Mbuwa?
MBUWA:
(SOBBING) What kind of question is that?! Haven’t you seen the soybeans harvest for this season?
BIBI ANASE:
We have and that’s why we are planning to go for the village meeting to discuss the poor harvest!
MAMA JOHN:
(QUICKLY INTERRUPTS) Why are you entertaining his foolishness, Bibi Anase?! You can clearly see that he is drunk!
MBUWA:
Who’s drunk? I’m not drunk!
MAMA JOHN:
(ANGRILY) Go on, Mbuwa, scram! Get out of here!
MBUWA:
(STARTS TO LEAVE) I’m going, but just remember that I talked to God this morning and he told me that he shall bring a soybeans Messiah to help us with the production!
BIBI ANASE:
(LAUGHING) That is the result of alcohol, my dear!
MAMA JOHN:
(EXCLAIMING) Mbuwa can be such a pain sometimes.
BIBI ANASE:
Anyways, dear, we were talking about something before he interrupted us!
MAMA JOHN:
(EXCITEDLY) Ooh! Yes! We were talking about my son Erick!
BIBI ANASE:
Is he the one after John?
MAMA JOHN:
Eeh! That’s the one. He brought me organic fertilizer yesterday; it’s the one I am applying to the soil now. My dear, we were wrongly applying the synthetic fertilizer, just killing our land.
BIBI ANASE:
So you think the fertilizers were the problem?
MAMA JOHN:
(STRONGLY INSISTING) Not only the fertilizers, but he brought the inoculants too! What do you think is the source of such a poor harvest this year?
BIBI ANASE:
I think even the land has lost its natural fertility— just look at its colour!
MAMA JOHN:
I am telling you; the problem is the synthetic fertilizers we are using. They contain poison.
BIBI ANASE:
Okay! Mama John, go and prepare yourself for the meeting. We’ll know exactly what is the cause of all this there.
MAMA JOHN:
Wait! I am about to finish applying fertilizer.
BIBI ANASE:
By the time you finish we will be late for the meeting. Go and prepare yourself, please.
MAMA JOHN:
(BEGINS TO LEAVE) Let me go get dressed. I can already see I won’t be able to do anything with you being here!
BIBI ANASE:
(LAUGHS) That’s it; let’s go. Unity is strength.
CONTROL:
Bibi Anase
Scene 3
Location: Ext. School. Day.
Characters: Madelina, Musa, Faraja
Background SFX: The sound of a school bell
SFX:
SCHOOL BELL RINGS.
SFX:
NOISE OF CHILDREN RUNNING AND PLAYING
FARAJA:
(ANXIOUSLY) Madee, let’s go to Mama Boni before they finish all the cassava.
MADELINA:
Let’s wait for Musa.
FARAJA:
(SIGH) Doesn’t Musa know the place? He will come by himself.
MADELINA:
No, please, he told us to wait for him.
FARAJA:
Speaking of the devil! Here comes Musa!
MUSA:
(APPROACHING THE MIC) How are you all?
ALL:
Fine!
FARAJA:
We were waiting for you so that we can go to eat cassava.
MADELINA:
Let’s hurry up so that we get back early. I have chemistry after break.
SFX:
THEY START WALKING.
FARAJA:
Eeh! As you know, teacher Kamili can be so spiteful. If you are late even a minute, you are going to be in trouble.
MUSA:
(LAUGHS) He has no problem so long as you do his work!
MADELINA:
That’s easy for you to say—you always pass his subject.
FARAJA:
(INTERRUPTING) Tell me about it!
MUSA:
It’s nothing, guys. Madee, will we go home together to do schoolwork after school?
MADELINA:
How? Your father is very strict and I am afraid of him.
FARAJA:
First of all, I failed his final exam.
MUSA:
(JOKING) Tell us something we don’t know, Faraja—you always fail geography!
SFX:
THEY LAUGH.
MADELINA:
Your home is very far, Musa. If I get home late, my grandmother will be angry at me.
MUSA:
You can tell her that we were studying.
MADELINA:
Will we go together, Faraja?
FARAJA
: Noo! My dear, after school I have to go fetch water from the river.
MUSA:
Madee, you know very well that Faraja does not like to read, and yet you are asking her.
SFX:
THEY ALL LAUGH.
FARAJA:
Hey! Who doesn’t like to read?
MUSA:
Isn’t it you!
MADELINA:
It’s okay, Musa. We will go, but I must go home early to help my grandmother.
MUSA:
Okay.
SFX:
NOISE OF STUDENTS FIGHTING FOR CASSAVA
FARAJA:
If we keep talking, we will end up missing the cassava.
Control:
Madelina
Scene 4
Location: Ext District Council office. Day.
Characters: >Bibi Anase, Mama John, Lugano, Mzee Mpalu, Ali, Monica
Background SFX: District council ambience
LUGANO:
Good morning, everyone.
ALL:
Good morning!
LUGANO:
I was expecting to start our meeting early, but I can see people are still coming. Bibi Anase and Mama John are now arriving.
BIBI ANASE:
(APPROACHING MIC) How are you?
ALL:
Fine!
LUGANO:
Okay! Let’s start the meeting. When others come, they will join us. As the Head of the District council of Matopile, I decided to call this meeting in the village in order to know what the problem is with the poor soybean harvest this season.
MZEE MPALU:
(INTERRUPTING) It has been three seasons now.
LUGANO:
It is true as you say; it has been three seasons since this problem started. I would like to ask you, my fellow villagers: what seems to be the problem?
SFX:
EVERYONE STARTS TO TALK.
LUGANO:
(TRYING TO KEEP THEM QUIET) Listen! One at a time. Mr. Ali!
ALI:
To be honest, I don’t know why we are having this problem because we have been using improved seeds for planting as you directed.
LUGANO:
I am sorry for intervening, but you have to say what the problem is, and the solutions for such a problem. Go ahead, Mama John!
MAMA JOHN:
I think the fertilizers we were using were the problem. Synthetic fertilizers kill our plants.
MZEE MPALU:
(INTERVENES) I disagree! Synthetic fertilizer is not a problem. I was using organic fertilizer, but still the harvests were poor …
MAMA JOHN:
(INTERRUPTING) … Maybe the type of fertilizer you used was not good …
LUGANO:
(INTERRUPTING) … Don’t argue, please. It’s better if we remember why are we here. We are here to find the solution.
BIBI ANASE:
Honourable, may I also say something?
LUGANO:
Okay, Bibi Anase.
BIBI ANASE:
Thank you very much. I know we are here to look for reasons why the yields are very poor. But I would like to remind you that a few of us would like to sell even the little we got this season. I don’t know how you are going to help us.
LUGANO:
Well, you made a good point, Bibi Anase. I plan to talk to the heads of other district councils about markets, and if we can get additional markets in new places.
ALI:
Why not? Considering soybean is a crop that’s highly marketable.
BIBI ANASE:
I have a suggestion. What do you think about pooling together the little we got this season, selling it, and then distributing the money?
MONICA:
(SHOUTING) How are we going to distribute that money?
MZEE MPALU:
(INTERRUPTING) No, it is not possible!
SFX:
NOISE STARTS AGAIN AND LUGANO TRIES TO CALM THEM DOWN.
CONTROL:
Lugano
Scene 5
Location: Ext Musa’s house. Day.
Characters: Madelina, Musa
Background SFX: Madelina and Musa walking
SFX:
MADELINA AND MUSA WALKING
MUSA:
And here is the farmland!
MADELINA:
What crop is this?
MUSA:
Soybeans.
MADELINA:
(SURPRISED) Really?
MUSA:
Yes. Have you never seen soybean in the field?
MADELINA:
I have, but I have never seen soybean flourishing like this. My grandma planted soybean this season, but she got a poor harvest.
MUSA:
Really?
MADELINA:
Yes, the whole of my village got poor harvests this season.
MUSA:
What was the problem?
MADELINA:
We don’t know. Everyone has a different idea. Grandma says the soil has lost its fertility.
MUSA:
Probably.
MADELINA:
Today when I left, grandma was going to a meeting to discuss how to solve the problem of poor soybean harvests in the village.
MUSA:
I am very sorry for you.
MADELINA:
Thank you. So who helped you to grow these soybeans up to this stage?
MUSA:
No one; it’s just me and my dad.
MADELINA:
(SURPRISED) Really?
MUSA:
Yes, my dad taught me everything about soybean farming.
MADELINA:
Do you think one day you could come to our village and help my grandma with soybean farming?
MUSA:
No problem, I will be happy to come and help her.
MADELINA:
(HAPPILY) That would be nice.
CONTROL:
Madelina
Scene 6
Location: Ext Bibi Anase’s house. Evening.
Characters: Madelina, Bibi Anase
Background SFX: Bibi Anase washing dishes
SFX:
BIBI ANASE WASHING DISHES
MADELINA:
(APPROACHING MIC) Good evening, grandmother.
SFX:
MADELINA OPENS THE DOOR AND GETS IN.
BIBI ANASE:
(NEAR MIC) Mendelina, come here! (PAUSE THEN SHOUTING) Mendee!
MADELINA:
YESSS!
BIBI ANASE:
What time is it?
SFX:
MADELINA REMAINS SILENT.
BIBI ANASE:
I am asking you.
MADELINA:
Six o’clock.
BIBI ANASE:
And you are just finishing classes at this time?
MADELINA:
No.
BIBI ANASE:
What then?
MADELINA:
Grandmother, I went to my friend Musa, the son of the geography teacher.
BIBI ANASE:
You went to your friend, eeh? Why shouldn’t he come to you?
MADELINA:
He said he will come. And grandma, I found out that they have grown very healthy soybean plants. He said he would come to help us plant them.
BIBI ANASE:
I don’t mind you visiting your friends, but why don’t you come home before anything else? You make me worry thinking about your whereabouts.
MADELINA:
Fine, grandmother, I won’t do it again.
BIBI ANASE:
I came home and found dirty dishes, Should I really be washing utensils after I come back from a meeting?
MADELINA:
Forgive me, grandma, I have wronged you. Let me help you wash them.
SFX:
MADELINA HELPS HER GRANDMOTHER TO WASH THE DISHES.
Scene 7
Location:Ext. District Council Office. Day.
Characters: Madelina, Bibi Anase, Musa, Lugano, Ali, Mzee Mpalu, Mama John, Monica
Background SFX: The villagers arguing
SFX:
VILLAGERS ARGUING
MAMA JOHN:
(SHOUTING) Those new fertilizers are poisonous! They are causing poor harvests …
ALI:
(INTERRUPTING) Impossible! I have used organic fertilizers a lot and … there is no improvement.
MZEE MPALU:
(SHOUTING) Am telling you our land is cursed.
SFX:
LUGANO KNOCKS THE TABLE WITH THE STONE TO KEEP THEM QUIET.
LUGANO:
(TRYING TO CALM THEM) Guys, listen, please listen.
SFX:
PEOPLE BECOME SILENT.
LUGANO:
Let us try to understand each other … we didn’t come here to argue.
This is our second meeting and we haven’t been able to find any solution to our soybean farming problem.
SFX:
FOOTSTEPS. MADELINA AND MUSA APPEAR SUDDENLY. THEY ARE SILENT.
MADELINA/MUSA:
(APPROACHING MIC) Shikamoo. [Editor’s note: Customary greeting of younger to older person]
SFX:
VILLAGERS REMAIN SILENT.
MONICA:
What are these children here for?
BIBI ANASE:
(HARSHLY) You, Mendelina! What have you come to do here?
MADELINA:
I have brought my friend Musa.
MUSA:
Greetings!
SFX:
VILLAGERS REMAIN SILENT.
BIBI ANASE:
Aren’t you supposed to be at school now?
MADELINA:
We don’t have classes today because we had an exam …
ALI:
(INTERRUPTS) These children are wasting our time.
MONICA:
True! If they want to talk to their grandmother, they should wait till she gets back home.
MAMA JOHN:
Sure. Bibi Anase, tell them to go home.
MZEE MPALU:
(ANGRILY) What kind of behaviour is that? You find adults talking and you interrupt them—is this how you teach your children?
BIBI ANASE:
They are my grandchildren.
MZEE MPALU:
(HARSHLY) Doesn’t matter! They don’t have manners.
ALI:
Children these days!
LUGANO:
(INTERRUPTS) Enough! Enough! There is no reason to be so noisy. Bibi Anase, tell your grandchildren to wait for you at home.
BIBI ANASE:
Okay, Mendelina, go home.
MADELINA:
(SHOUTS) Musa can help you plant soybeans better.
LUGANO:
What are you saying?
SFX:
VILLAGERS LAUGH.
ALI:
(LAUGHING) Children of today are becoming crazier by the second.
MONICA:
They will help us to plant soybeans!? What do these children have to teach us??
MZEE MPALU:
Bibi Anase, tell your grandchildren to go home to sleep.
MADELINA:
(SHOUTS) It’s true! He and his father harvested a lot of soybeans this year and his father taught him, so he can teach us.
ALI:
(INTERRUPTING) You, child—have manners! Who will he help?
LUGANO:
Wait! Bibi Anase, is it true what your granddaughter says?
BIBI ANASE:
She told me once that she had a friend whose house succeeded in harvesting a lot of soybeans. But I didn’t know if she was telling the truth.
LUGANO:
Let’s give them a chance and see if what they say is true. Young man, are you ready to teach us?
MUSA:
(IN A LOW VOICE) Yes!
LUGANO:
So when do you think you will be able to teach us?
MUSA:
This Saturday since I won’t have to go to school.
LUGANO:
Okay! So, do you hear that folks?? Then Saturday it is!
Control:
Madelina
Scene 8
Location: Ext. Bibi Anase’s shamba. Day.
Characters: Bibi Anase, Madelina, Musa, Lugano, Monica, Mzee Mpalu, Ali, Mama John, Baba Musa
Background SFX: Bibi Anase’s shamba ambience
SFX:
THE VILLAGERS MURMURING
MZEE MPALU:
(ANGRILY) I knew this would be a waste of time!
MONICA:
Exactly! Since when does a child teach grown folks like us about farming?
ALI:
This is a joke! What does he know about farming soybeans anyways??
MAMA JOHN:
(INTERVENES) He was taught by his father who is a geography teacher. So I’m sure he has more knowledge about farming than most of us here!
MZEE MPALU:
(ANGRILY) That is all rubbish!
BIBI ANASE:
What do you mean rubbish? If you were so good, then we wouldn’t have this problem now, would we?
ALI:
Then why hasn’t he arrived until now like he promised?
LUGANO:
Stop arguing, my good people. I’m sure he must have some pressing issues, but he will be here. So let’s wait for him for a few more minutes.
ALI:
I will wait for five minutes, then I’m leaving, I have some important things to do!
MONICA:
Me too!
MZEE MPALU:
What manners from that boy?! Making adults wait for him like this.
SFX:
THE SOUND OF A MOTORBIKE APPROACHING
BIBI ANASE:
Is that him riding behind the motorcycle?
LUGANO:
Yes, I think it’s him.
SFX:
MOTORCYCLE APPROACHES AND STOPS.
BABA MUSA:
Greetings, everyone!
ALL:
Greetings!
MUSA:
Shikamoo!
ALL:
Marahaba! [Editor’s note: This is the Swahili reply from an older to a younger person who has shown respect by saying “Shikamoo.”]
MONICA:
And who is this?
BABA MUSA:
I am Musa’s father! Mr. Shamte!
BIBI ANASE:
(EXCITEDLY) Oooh! He is the geography teacher!
LUGANO:
(HAPPILY) Oh! Welcome! Welcome to our village! My name is Lugano, I’m the district council here! Nice to meet you!
BABA MUSA:
Nice to meet you too! Musa had told me today that he was coming to your village to teach you on the production of soybeans. I couldn’t believe it! I thought he was joking, so I had to drop him off to see for myself.
LUGANO:
Yes, as a matter of fact we were all waiting for him to arrive!
MZEE MPALU:
(INTERRUPTING) Yes, and we waited so long!
BABA MUSA:
Oh, so it is true!
BIBI ANASE:
Musa told us that you had a wonderful soybean harvest this season in your village!
MAMA JOHN:
Yes, he did! Could you teach us how you managed to get such good harvests?
MONICA:
(EXCITEDLY) Yes, please show us!
ALL:
(TOGETHER) Please show us!
LUGANO:
(TRYING TO RESTORE ORDER) Okay, people … if we can all be quiet and let Mr. Shamte speak.
BABA MUSA:
Okay, I will gladly help you by demonstrating good practises for soybeans production with my son.
SFX:
THE VILLAGERS CHEER.
BABA MUSA:
But first I would like to ask you—what do you think the problem is with the low harvest of soybeans?
MAMA JOHN:
(JUMPS IN) I think it’s the synthetic fertilizers we use. They make the soil lose its fertility!
MONICA:
Yes, and the inoculants too!
BABA MUSA:
That couldn’t have been the problem. I use synthetic fertilizers and inoculants too.
ALI:
(JUMPS IN) See! I told you the problem is not synthetic fertilizers!
BABA MUSA:
It could have been something else!
LUGANO:
(CURIOUSLY) Like what maybe?
BABA MUSA:
It could have been maybe due to improper weeding.
MAMA JOHN:
Do you really think that could be the problem?
BABA MUSA:
Yes, you have to maintain a proper weeding practise. The first weeding should be done within two weeks of sowing, depending on the weed intensity. And the second, 5-6 weeks after sowing.
BIBI ANASE:
I don’t know about everybody else, but I always make sure to get rid of the weeds because they just make me sick!
BABA MUSA:
Or it could just be maybe because of the soil … if it has a history of waterlogging and salinity!
MZEE MPALU:
(JUMPS IN) I knew it! This land is cursed! I knew it!
LUGANO:
(INTERVENES) Now, let’s not get dramatic here! You see the problem, Mr. Shamte! Nobody really knows the root of the problem. We are all guessing, but nobody really knows. We have been trying to follow the good and modern practises by replanting improved seeds, but all we get is poor harvest. We’ve used these improved seeds for seven seasons now.
BABA JOHN:
(EXCLAIMS) Ahaa! Now that could be the root of your problem! You shouldn’t replant these improved seeds more than two or three times. No wonder you have been experiencing low harvests.
LUGANO:
We had no idea. We thought that’s how it is supposed to be!
BABA JOHN:
I want to show you something. Can you get me a hoe, a rope, and a measuring ruler?
LUGANO:
Bibi Anase, is it possible to get those items?
BIBI ANASE:
Yes! Mendelina! Go with Musa and get a hoe, a rope, and a ruler. Hurry up!
MADELINA:
Okay, grandma! Musa, let’s go!
BIBI ANASE:
Please hurry up!
SFX:
MADELINA AND MUSA LEAVE TO GET THE ITEMS.
BABA MUSA:
Oh, and before I forget! Another thing you should is a germination test before planting a batch of seeds to make sure at least 70 to 80 per cent of the seeds germinate. If not, you should get new seeds.
SFX:
MADELINA AND MUSA COME BACK RUNNING.
MADELINA:
Here they are, grandma!
SFX:
MADELINA AND MUSA HAND OUT THE ITEMS.
ALI:
(JOKINGLY) We know what the hoe is for—but what about the rope and ruler? Surely you are not going to give us a geography lesson!
SFX:
ALL THE VILLAGERS LAUGH.
LUGANO:
Please let us be civilized. Mr. Shamte is sacrificing his time and energy by teaching us all this!
BABA MUSA:
Oh! Don’t worry, Mr. Lugano, he is right. This is geography class! So the first thing you must understand before planting is the spacing between the rows and ridges. Here, Musa, take the ruler and start measuring.
SFX:
MUSA MEASURES THE DISTANCE WITH A RULER.
BABA MUSA:
The distance between each row is 45 cm. And there should be a 5-cm distance between each plant in a row. If the ridges are distanced 60 cm or more, put double rows on the ridge. For short varieties, keep the spacing between plants to 5 cm. But 15 cm if you plant the tall and bushy local variety.
ALI:
How is this helpful?
MUSA:
(JUMPS IN) It will help the plants germinate and give them space to grow better.
MONICA:
Is that so, Mr. Shamte?
BABA MUSA:
Oh yes! Musa, you can start sowing the seeds now.
MUSA:
Okay, father.
SFX:
MUSA STARTS SOWING THE SEEDS.
LUGANO:
You have certainly raised your son the right way!
MAMA JOHN:
It’s true, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
BABA MUSA:
Thank you.
MONICA:
Yes, and let’s just hope that we will get the same fortunes you have this season.
BABA MUSA:
I’m sure you will. Just make sure you follow carefully and practise what I have explained to you today.
CONTROL:
Baba Musa
Scene 9
Location: Ext. Bibi Anase’s farmland. Evening.
Characters: Madelina, Musa, Bibi Anase, Lugano, Ali, Mama John, Monica, Mzee Mpalu.
Background SFX: Sound of music
SFX:
MUSIC PLAYS WHILE PEOPLE DANCE.
MUSA:
(APPROACHING MIC) Madelina, what is the occasion?
MADELINA:
It is a celebration of the harvest in our village today.
SFX:
Music continues playing.
MUSA:
But I will not stay for a long time. I have to go home and help my father.
MADELINA:
Is your father not coming?
MUSA:
No, he said he has some work to do.
MADELINA:
I was told to bring you to the celebration today. (HAPPILY) You know what, Musa—all of the villagers want to see you.
MONICA:
(EXCITED) Eeh! Hey, look here! Musa is here.
SFX:
PEOPLE LOUDLY CHEER FOR MUSA.
LUGANO:
(EXCITEDLY) Musa! Welcome! Welcome so much! What drink will you take?
MUSA:
Thank you! I will drink soda.
MZEE MPALU:
Give my friend a beer!
MAMA JOHN:
Aaaah! Mr, Mpalu, don’t teach other people’s children to drink alcohol! Where is your dad, Musa?
MUSA:
He couldn’t make it because he had some work to do!
MONICA:
Oh, that’s too bad!
MAMA JOHN:
Just make sure you give him our regards, because without him we wouldn’t have enjoyed this huge harvest this season.
SFX:
ALL THE VILLAGERS AGREE IN ACCORD.
MUSA:
Okay, I will give him your greetings.
MBUWA:
(SHOUTING DRUNKENLY) Yees! Give the messiah a beer! This is our Messiah that I’ve been telling you about!
MONICA:
(SURPRISINGLY) What is it with Mbuwa?
ALI:
I think as the days go by he is slowly losing his mind!
MBUWA:
(CONTINUES) He is the one who has helped us with the soybean production! Welcome, my Lord! Welcome!
MUSA:
Shikamoo!
MBUWA:
(RETORTS) No! No! No! I’m the one who should be greeting you, my Lord! By the way I thought you would be much shorter from what I heard, a young school boy educating the whole village on soybeans production!
SFX:
MBUWA STARTS LAUGHING.
MUSA:
(SHYLY) It was not me who taught them. It was my father.
MBUWA:
(DRUNKENLY) Really? So can you please teach me also what your father taught them, since I was not here!
MADELINA:
(INTERVENES) Mbuwa, you are drunk!
MBUWA:
(ANGRILY) Heey! Watch your mouth, young girl! Who is drunk?
MUSA:
It’s okay, Madelina, I don’t mind explaining to him again.
MBUWA:
(HAPPILY) Yeees! That’s my boy! No wonder you are a very bright kid! (EXCITEDLY) Teach me the measurements first! I heard you brought the big machines and everything for measurements!
MUSA:
We just used a measuring ruler and a rope.
MBUWA:
(SURPRISED) A ruler?! Okay go on!
MUSA:
First you should start measuring the distance between each row, ridge, and plants.
MBUWA:
Okay! You said the distance between rows, terraces and plants.
MUSA:
It’s ridges, not terraces!
MBUWA:
Are you sure?
MADELINA:
Mbuwa, how will Musa explain everything if you keep on interrupting him?
MUSA:
Okay, so the distance between each row should be 45 cm. And lastly the distance between each plant should be 5 cm to help the plant grow and germinate well!
MBUWA:
(EXCLAIMS) That’s too much mathematics for me!
MADELINA:
Musa, let us go!
MBUWA:
(JUMPS IN) Wait! Wait! What about the improved seeds?
MUSA:
You should not use the improved varieties more than two or three times at the most to make sure you get the best out of them.
MBUWA:
Okay! Okay thank you, my boy! Here, take a beer for your good work!
MUSA:
Sorry, sir, but I don’t drink, sir!
MBUWA:
(INSISTENTLY) Come on, take one!
MADELINA:
(ANGRILY) Mbuwa, he already told you he doesn’t drink! Why can’t you just understand??
BIBI ANASE:
(SHOUTING) Hey, Mbuwa! Leave the kids alone! Mendelina, come with Musa to take food!
MADELINA:
Okay, grandma. Musa, let’s go!
MUSA:
Hello, grandmother! How are you?
BIBI ANASE:
Fine, thanks so much, my grandson. Ever since you showed us proper soybean planting, the harvests have been very good.
MUSA:
Thank you, grandmother.
BIBI ANASE:
By the way how is your father doing?
MUSA:
He is doing okay.
BIBI ANASE:
Won’t he be joining us in celebrating our harvest?
MUSA:
Unfortunately no, but he did tell me to greet you and give you his regards.
BIBI ANASE:
Oh! That’s nice. Here is the food, my grandson.
MUSA:
Thank you, grandmother.
BIBI ANASE:
Mende!
MADELINA:
Yes, grandmother!
BIBI ANASE:
Don’t forget to come and wash the dishes.
MADELINA:
Okay, grandma!
MUSA:
Your grandma calls you Mende?
MADELINA:
She can’t pronounce Madelina, so she calls me Mendelina.
MUSA:
(LAUGHS) Everyone at school will know your “Mende” name. [Editor’s note: Mende means “cockroach” in Kiswahili.]
MADELINA:
(LAUGHS) Musa, you have started your jokes! I’ll kick your butt!
MUSA:
Here, Mende take a piece of chicken!
MADELINA:
Musa, I will beat you!
SFX:
MADELINA STARTS CHASING MUSA ALL OVER THE PLACE AND BOTH LAUGHING.
Control:
Madelina.
Acknowledgements
Contributed by: Kheri Mkali, script writer, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Reviewed by: Dr. Abubakary Kijoji, Soya Ni Pesa Project Deputy Director, plant breeder and agronomist, Catholic Relief Services.
Farm Radio International would like to thank Catholic Relief Services for their support in producing this script.
Project undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)