Notes to broadcasters
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Welcome to the Root of Life!
This series of short dramas on cassava was originally produced in May 2012 for the Farmer Voice Radio initiative by Farm Radio International.It has been slightly adapted for inclusion in this Pack.This document contains the scripts of 40 episodes (or AgTips, agricultural tips) which form a drama series called “The Root of Life.” For details on how it was developed and how the series can be used to best effect, please refer to the accompanying manual.
Each episode, or AgTip, begins on a new page, and has notes on sound effects, characters and location. The script has all the elements needed to facilitate audio production.
This drama series was written by Ally Mhina Mjuga, translated by Esther Mwangabula, and edited by Vijay Cuddeford.
We welcome your feedback on this drama series, and are also interested in hearing from radio stations that have produced and used it. Please contact us at: info@farmradio.org.
Introduction
This series of short radio dramas on cassava was originally produced for the Farmer Voice Radio initiative by Farm Radio International. It was developed in Tanzania, together with successful cassava farmers, cassava experts (researchers), and radio drama writers and specialists. As such, the storyline was created with a Tanzanian audience in mind. However, it should be suitable for other parts of East Africa, and, with some cultural adaptation, be relevant in other regions of Africa as well.
The series covers all aspects of cassava production – planting, field management, pest and disease management, harvesting, processing and marketing. It gives listeners information about all these stages in an entertaining manner, with the ultimate aim of encouraging more people to grow, eat, process and sell cassava.
Production ideas for broadcasters
The Root of Life is currently available only as text, and only in English, French, and Swahili. This leaves a lot of scope for radio stations to use the AgTips creatively to maximize listenership and encourage listeners and their families to grow and eat cassava. Here are some suggestions on how radio stations can use the AgTips in their programming:
The AgTips can be used to:
- Sensitize farmers who do not cultivate cassava, and encourage them to grow cassava for sale as well as a food crop
- Improve farmers’ knowledge of cassava
- Dispel negative attitudes and/or beliefs about cassava
- Increase acceptability of cassava as a food crop among consumers
- Provide information (and discussion starters) for extension staff, that can be shared with farmers
- Provide useful, succinct and entertaining information on all aspects of the cassava value chain for policy makers, researchers, and other stakeholders
Broadcasting
The AgTips are written as a series of short dramas, with recurring characters and a story which unfolds with each AgTip. For this reason they are numbered, and should ideally be used in sequence (although some will work as stand-alone radio spots). They are designed as a drama series in order to generate and hold listeners’ interest week after week. We want listeners to look forward to the next episode, and be as interested in the story as they are in the information which is being presented. Each episode is designed to last between one and four minutes when broadcast with its intro and extro.
To generate interest, stations could advertise the scheduled broadcast time of the first episode, and use clips or teasers to help launch the drama.
The AgTip episodes are designed to be broadcast more than once a week. Ideally, stations will broadcast one new episode each day for a period of 40 days, with repeats the same day. Another alternative is to broadcast them according to an advertised schedule three times a week for approximately 13 weeks. Listeners will benefit when broadcasters coordinate the airing of the series with the agricultural calendar.
We suggest that stations develop a catchy jingle and signature tune to advertise the series and announce the start of a new episode. This will alert listeners that an AgTip is coming. The jingle and signature tune can be used whenever an AgTip is broadcast. In addition, each AgTip could be announced by a presenter who states the AgTip topic and the number of the AgTip.
AgTips can be used as part of a regular magazine-style farmer program, either with additional content on cassava, or as a break or link to another segment of the program. Alternatively, they can be used during any radio program, or between radio programs. When an AgTip is used on its own, it will be more effective if the drama’s signature tune or jungle is played before the AgTip begins, and again at the end.
Audio production
Most episodes involve two to four characters, so audio production will need two, three or four voice actors. As stated above, each episode should start with the same signature tune, and end with either the same or a different signature tune. The signature tune should be designed to immediately identify the episode as an AgTip and capture listener attention. There are several options that stations might consider for transforming the texts into audio:
- Production house. Hire a production house to produce the drama series. Many countries have professional production houses that do a great job at bringing written texts to life. This can be a costly option, but will ensure quality and cultural relevance.
- In-house production. Broadcasters with production experience could find a group of local amateur actors to take part in the drama series. Another alternative is to use farmers or experts as occasional voices in the series, although this option should be tested to ensure quality is maintained.
- Broadcast by the program hosts. Some of the shorter messages or jingles can be singled out and broadcast by program hosts.
Other uses
Whenever possible, it’s recommended that stations translate the AgTips into the language most commonly used by the station and its listeners.
Stations can adapt the AgTip series story line to produce a similar series for other crops and value chains. This should be done in consultation with farmers, researchers and extension workers who have knowledge about the crop.
Funding for AgTips
The AgTips are short and will not take up much air time. They can be run as part of regular farmer programs, as part of other programs, or between programs. You may therefore want to offer them as a free service to your listeners.
However, they will be popular with your listeners, and you might be able to attract sponsors to cover your costs. The AgTips are too short to include an advertisement. However, they could be “sponsored by” a company or organization for a fee. For example, the Root of Life could be “brought to you by . . .” a local bank, mobile phone company, agricultural extension service or agriculture input company.
Script
Topics and formats of the 40 cassava AgTips
| EPISODE | TOPIC | FORMAT |
|
|
Introducing The Root of Life | Drama |
|
|
Mesozi’s story | Drama |
|
|
Introducing cassava | Drama |
|
|
Selecting the right land to grow cassava | Drama |
|
|
Choosing the right cassava variety | Drama |
|
|
Let’s plant cassava! | Jingle |
|
|
Correct spacing for your cassava cuttings | Drama |
|
|
Correct planting time | Drama |
|
|
Weeding | Drama |
|
|
Plant disease in cassava | Drama |
|
|
Disease control | Drama |
|
|
Recognizing the symptoms of plant disease | Q & A with ag expert |
|
|
Uprooting diseased plants | Drama |
|
|
Success story: A farmer who benefited from following crop management practices | Farmer success story |
|
|
Finding a market before harvesting | Drama |
|
|
Choosing planting materials for next season | Drama |
|
|
Two different ways to store planting materials | Drama |
|
|
Selecting and storing planting materials | Narration/PSA |
|
|
How to harvest cassava | Drama |
|
|
When to harvest cassava | Conversation between two farmers |
|
|
Sorting and grading | Drama |
|
|
Planting legumes for soil fertility | Drama |
|
|
Why processing cassava is important | Narration/PSA |
|
|
How to process bitter cassava | Drama |
|
|
How to process sweet cassava | Drama |
|
|
Using high quality flour | Conversation between two farmers |
|
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Counteracting negative attitudes towards cassava | Drama |
|
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Fortifying cassava flour with other nutritious foods | Farmer success story |
|
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Blending cassava flour | Q & A with ag expert |
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Using high quality cassava flour | Drama |
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Selling foods made from raw cassava | Drama |
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|
Cassava: A rainbow of benefits | Two presenters |
|
|
How to make cassava starch | Drama |
|
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Uses of starch | Drama (not part of series) |
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Cassava as livestock feed | Drama |
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Record keeping for cassava farmers | Drama |
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Promoting your cassava products | Drama |
|
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How to find markets for cassava and cassava products | Drama |
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Finding markets for your cassava | Drama |
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Appropriate packaging for high quality cassava flour | Drama |
EPISODE 1
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
INTRODUCING THE ROOT OF LIFE
CAST
Kumdidimo and Mesozi
LOCATION
IN THE MARKET SQUARE. OUTSIDE. EVENING.
SFX
SOUNDS OF MARKET
1. NARRATOR:
Welcome, friends, to The Root of Life … a drama about people just like us, men and women trying to make a living and raise their children in the villages of Tanzania. My name is Akili, and I’m a farmer. I used to be an extension officer before I retired to my village. Many people think that cassava is an old-fashioned crop, and that it has nothing to offer a modern farmer. Nothing could be further from the truth! I’ve seen cassava since I was a boy sixty years ago. And I’ve seen all sorts of interesting people with extraordinary but common human stories. And many of them grew cassava! But enough about me. Without further ado, I now invite you to come with me to a village market somewhere in Tanzania. Come with me and meet Kumdidimo and Mesozi and their family and friends …
1. KUMDIDIMO:
( DRUNK, Moaning and groaning loudly, dramatically, and comically ) Oh, why is everything and everyone against me? (Stops moaning suddenly and just as suddenly says) Was that the rain I felt? (PAUSE) Just a drop please … to save my maize crop. ‘Cause my little girl has to eat. (Pause, then starts to moan again)
2. MESOZI:
(Coming up beside him rather shyly and speaking quietly) Hello, Kumdidimo, my neighbour. Where is your wife today? I haven’t seen her for a long time.
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(Moaning) Hello, Mesozi. Oh, my wife went to visit her sick parents last month. And now everything is wrong … (Moaning) Why does everything hate me? You see, even the rain won’t knock on my door. What have I done wrong? Do you know? (i>Pause) I am a good father … I am a good husband …
4. MESOZI:
(Awkwardly) I am sorry. I didn’t hear that your wife went to her parents. (Pause) And the rains are very late, it’s true. (Very softly) I know what it’s like to be alone in the house.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
Ah yes, with your husband dying … sorry … (Pause then goes back to complaining)You know that even my chickens don’t like me? One pecked my hand and drew blood this morning. Did you know that?
6. MESOZI:
No. ( Awkwardly, not knowing what to say ) Sorry for your hand … How is your farm?
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(Angrily) Didn’t I just tell you that my maize is failing!! Don’t you listen, woman?
8. MESOZI:
(Quickly and quietly) Oh sorry … (Uncomfortable with his anger) Ok, I will leave you alone.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(Pleading No no, please come and talk to me.
10. MESOZI:
Ok … Ok, I am sitting down now. (Pause, then quietly) So your maize is failing?
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(Moaning) Yes, my maize is failing me …
12. MESOZI:
(Hardly daring to mention) Hmmm … if your maize is failing you, I have a good story for you … But perhaps you don’t want to hear?
13. KUMDIDIMO:
(Interrupting) No!! Please … sit down. (Eagerly, like a child) Please tell me your story.
14. NARRATOR:
And so we begin the story of Kumdidimo and Mesozi, a tale of joy and sorrow, of success and failure, but most of all – a tale of cassava!! A tale that gives farmers the information they need to have a lucrative cassava business – yes, lucrative! But this cassava information comes with an extra helping of entertainment and humour! TUNE IN for episode 2 tomorrow!
EPISODE 2
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
MESOZI’S STORY
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
IN THE MARKET SQUARE. OUTSIDE. EVENING (SAME SETTING AS EPISODE 1).
SFX
SOUNDS OF MARKET
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY, THE ROOT OF LIFE. I AM YOUR HUMBLE NARRATOR, AKILI. KUMDIDIMO MET MESOZI IN THE MARKET YESTERDAY AND COMPLAINED LOUDLY ABOUT THE BAD LUCK HIS LIFE HAS BROUGHT HIM. MESOZI MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD A STORY TO TELL HIM. KUMDIDIMO SEEMED EAGER TO LISTEN. LET’S LISTEN TOO.
1. MESOZI:
(Quietly) You might remember that three years ago the rains were late too …
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(Loudly) Hah! We all remember that …
3. MESOZI:
(still quietly) My husband died three years ago, just before planting. My husband’s family took almost everything, and I was left to work a small piece of land by myself, with my daughters. I worked hard to get my fields ready to plant maize. I hoed the fields by hand. I planted the maize seeds we had saved from the year before, plus some that I bought at the ag shop.
4. KUMDIDIMO:
(Very self-satisfied that he knows what’s coming next) But then it didn’t rain!
5. MESOZI:
(Softly) Right. I waited and waited and waited … (Emotional) I didn’t know what to do! (Pause, then excited) But then my sister came to visit me one day and she said something curious …
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(Eagerly) What? What did she say?
7. MESOZI:
(Still excited) She said I should stop worrying and plant cassava, because cassava would never let me down if I treated it well. (In an amazed voice) She even took me to a farm where we bought the cuttings. And she introduced me to the cassava expert who gives me good advice to this day!
8. KUMDIDIMO:
Cassava? (Snorts in disbelief) That’s hard to believe. (pause then wistfully) Still, I wish I had a sister like that.
9. MESOZI:
(Quieter but still excited) I talked to the farmer where we bought the cuttings, and he told me which cutting varieties were right for this area. And he told me all about the right spacing and everything. I listened very carefully. And then I followed everything he said. (Pause)
10. KUMDIDIMO:
(Eagerly) And what happened?
11. MESOZI:
(Happily) I got a decent yield of cassava! I had planted late so I didn’t get a bumper crop. But my cassava was strong and healthy and it kept us alive through the lean season. (Emotional) My God, if we wouldn’t have had that cassava … we wouldn’t have made it!
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(pause then loudly, breaking the spell of her story) Cassava! That old woman’s crop??? And now you’re happy and everything’s perfect, right?? Nice story … but you expect me to believe it??
13. MESOZI:
(Taken aback) I … I …
14. KUMDIDIMO:
(Interrupting) I mean, maybe I will plant just a few cuttings … Just to prove you wrong! It will be a waste of time, but … (Short pause, then suddenly) Ok, got to go … (He gets up quickly and takes a few steps, then turns around and says almost shyly) Bye … (turning around and whistling casually, he leaves)
15. NARRATOR:
DO YOU THINK KUMDIDIMO WILL PLANT CASSAVA? DO YOU THINK HE IS THE KIND OF MAN WHO DOES WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE DISRESPECTFUL WAY HE THANKED MESOZI FOR TELLING HIM HER HONEST AND HEARTBREAKING STORY? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS GUY? HE’S SOMETHING, ISN’T HE? I WONDER WHAT HE’LL DO NEXT! (PAUSE FOR ONE BEAT) SORRY, CAN’T TELL YOU. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT, YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO COME BACK AND LISTEN TOMORROW. TALK TO YOU THEN!!
EPISODE 3
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
INTRODUCING CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
AT A TEASHOP. OUTSIDE. EVENING.
SFX
SOUNDS OF MARKET
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. MY NAME IS AKILI AND I’M YOUR NARRATOR AND GUIDE FOR THIS DRAMA. IN OUR LAST EPISODE, MESOZI TOLD KUMDIDIMO THAT GROWING CASSAVA HAD SAVED HER LIFE. KUMDIDIMO SCOFFED AT GROWING CASSAVA, BUT SAID HE’D GROW SOME JUST TO PROVE HER WRONG. DO YOU THINK HE WOULD REALLY PLANT SOME CASSAVA JUST TO PROVE HER WRONG? KEEP LISTENING TO FIND OUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
NOTE:
KUMDIDIMO HAS HAD A DRINK OR TWO, BUT IS NOT DRUNK.
1. MESOZI:
(COMING ON-MIC) Mr. Kumdidimo … (ON-MIC) I see you’re back at the market this week. Why do you look so thoughtful?
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(In a hopeless voice) … Aaa, don’t worry about me! Sit down and have a drink!
3. MESOZI:
(Carefully) No, thank you, I’ll stand. I just came to buy some tea leaves. Tell me, have you planted this season?
4. KUMDIDIMO:
(Angry) Aaah, I don’t know what to do. I was expecting maize to support us, but everything went against me.
5. MESOZI:
(Pause, then carefully) Have you planted cassava?
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(As if he couldn’t care less) If I planted maize and got nothing, why should I think about cassava? It’s a crop for old people. To be honest, I never even considered that cassava could help me.
7. MESOZI:
(SURPRISED) Mmmh! Why do you say that?
8. KUMDIDIMO:
(Confidently) If you want people to understand you, you better talk about planting maize. Only maize can save me. (Complaining) You know, this season, everything I tried went against me.
9. MESOZI:
(With a big breath) No. You shouldn’t believe that. There are other crops that can help you.
10. KUMDIDIMO:
(While he is drinking) Don’t talk to me again about planting cassava … I told you I don’t have any hopes for it.
11. MESOZI:
(Carefully) Kumdidimo, do you remember my story?
12. KUMDIDIMO:
Yes …
13. MESOZI:
(Cool) I owe what I am today to planting cassava…. Do you understand?
14. KUMDIDIMO:
(Careful) I do! It means that the money you are using to take your children to school is from cassava?
15. MESOZI:
(Strongly) Not only that! Even the house I live in was paid for by growing and processing cassava. It’s not a big house but it’s very comfortable for us. Cassava can really pay off.
16. KUMDIDIMO:
(Teasing) Mmmh! Hold on! (Teasing) Don’t you want to tell me that somebody in town married you and is paying school fees for your children and paying for your house?
17. MESOZI:
(Serious and strongly) I am not married and I don’t have a man to waste my time…. Believe me … all my success is from planting cassava! Good-bye! (SOUND OF HER WALKING AWAY)
18. NARRATOR:
WILL KUMDIDIMO PLANT CASSAVA? IS IT TRUE THAT MESOZI DOES NOT HAVE A MAN TO SUPPORT HER? IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT, YOU’LL HAVE TO LISTEN TOMORROW! TALK TO YOU THEN!
EPISODE 4
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
SELECTING THE RIGHT LAND TO GROW CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRDS AND FROGS
NARRATOR:
THIS IS AKILI WELCOMING YOU BACK TO OUR STORY. KUMDIDIMO WAS COMPLETELY DEMORALIZED BY LIFE. BUT MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, HE HAS RECOVERED SOME HOPE AFTER MESOZI TOLD HIM ABOUT GROWING CASSAVA. JOIN US TODAY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(Happy, SOUNDS OF LAUGHTER)
2. MESOZI:
(Off-mic) How are you, Kumdidimo? Is everything ok with your family?
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(HAPPILy) I am so happy to see you today. (PAUSE AND SOMEWHAT OVER DRAMATICALLY, AS IF HE’S BOWING TO MESOZI) Welcome, Madam Mesozi!
4. MESOZI:
(COMING ON-MIC, LAUGHS AT HIS DRAMATIZATION) I am just passing by on the way to my cassava farm.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(Proudly) Let me show you something. All this open space you see belongs to me. It has been underutilized, but now I think it is the right time to put it to proper use to fulfil my dreams. What do you think?
6. MESOZI:
(Very carefully) Yeah … this place looks nice and fertile. What kind of dreams did you have in mind?
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(Proud and showing off) Do you see how fertile this place is? It receives all the water that flows down from the hills. This is the place I have decided to plant cassava.
8. MESOZI:
(SURPRISED) Mmmh …
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(Full of confidence) I want to assure you that from this field I will harvest a lot. As you can see, this soil is rich and there’s lots of water. This year I expect to be the famer with the best cassava farm in the village! (Excited) Oooh! I will be rich!
10. MESOZI:
(Carefully) It’s true that through cassava you can earn a good amount of money … (Pause) But … sorry, Kumdidimo … not at a place like this.
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(PAUSE, THEN SHARPLY, AND INCREASINGLY LOUDLY) I don’t get you! Cassava is like any other crop! Am I right? Cassava needs a lot of water and fertilizer and this is the right place! What is wrong with you?
12. MESOZI:
(A little taken aback, but patient) Look, Kumdidimo. You have to know this …
13. KUMDIDIMO:
(angry with mock confidence) What should I know? You know it is very difficult to live together with jealous people who don’t want others to improve! This is a good place for me to grow cassava and I hope this year my family will be happy and joyful.
14. MESOZI:
(Quiet but insistent) I hope your family will be happy, too. (PAUSE) But let me tell you something. You will spend all your energy in this field and harvest nothing. You will break your back for nothing. Cassava does not grow well in a place where there is lots of water in the ground, like this valley. It only grows well on flat or gently sloping land that is well-drained.
15. KUMDIDIMO:
(Surprised and quieter) What are you trying to tell me?
16. MESOZI:
I said that cassava does not grow well in a place where there is a lot of water. It grows best in well-drained soil.
17. KUMDIDIMO:
(Muttering to himself) I didn’t realize what a jealous woman you were …
18. NARRATOR:
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW? WILL KUMDIDIMO CONTINUE TO PLANT CASSAVA ON THIS FIELD? JOIN US TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHAT’S NEXT!
EPISODE 5
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CASSAVA VARIETY
CAST
MESOZI, LIANA (KUMDIDIMO’S DAUGHTER),KUMDIDIMO AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
IN THE STREET. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AND TALKING
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. AKILI HERE! WILL KUMDIDIMO CONTINUE WITH HIS PLAN TO GROW CASSAVA IN A PLACE WHICH IS TOO WET? AND WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT HIS GROWING CLOSENESS WITH MESOZI? JOIN US TO SEE WHAT’S NEXT.
1. MANDIGA:
(Teasing mesozi) My friend, I see that nowadays you have become a farm officer?
2. MESOZI:
(Surprised) I don’t understand you, Mandiga. Why are you talking so disrespectfully? Have I done anything wrong to you?
3. MANDIGA:
(Disrespectfully) Well, I see now that everyone has to take care of their own business … you can’t expect help from anyone else! (Laughing) Heee, my dear, people have seen you with Kumdidimo. Ooh, he is walking towards us …
4. MESOZI:
(Surprised) Who are you talking about? Me?
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(Off-mic) Mesozi, I am so happy to see you.
6. MANDIGA:
(Pause) Where are you going with your baby, Kumdidimo, my neighbour? (calling to Liana) How are you, girl?
7. LIANA:
(OFF-MIC) I am fine, thank you!
8. MANDIGA:
(Jealous) Oooh! Now it makes sense! (Quieter, to Mesozi) Do you see how Kumdidimo is very pleased to see you? (Pause, to mesozi) Let me leave you. You better be careful. You don’t want to engage with other women’s husbands.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(COMING ON-MIC, HAPPY) Aaah … I am happy to see you … Mesozi, you know I just came from my brother who lives in the Central Zone. As you know, their land is very suitable for growing cassava.
10. MESOZI:
(Smiling, but a little uncertain how to respond) Ehh …ok. Give him my congratulations.
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(Proudly) You know, I am very convinced that growing cassava will solve my problems. I have decided not to plant in that field where there was too much water. But I have another place which is very good for growing cassava.
12. MESOZI:
I am happy to hear that, Kumdidimo.
13. KUMDIDIMO:
(Happy and joyful) As you can see here, I have some cassava stems from my brother. In fact, these are the types of cuttings they grow in the Central Zone. But I don’t have enough for all my land. Would you please give me some, so that I can finish planting my land?
14. MESOZI:
(takes a big breath, unsure how to respond. Nervous and quiet at first) … Aaah, before anything else, you have to know that we are living in different zones …
15. KUMDIDIMO:
(INTERRUPTING) … What do you mean “different zones”?
16. MESOZI:
Well, we live in the Southern Zone. Each zone has its own cassava varieties, depending on the types of soil and weather and so on. (slowly and carefully) So, professionally, it is not advised to use seeds from the Central Zone when you live in the Southern Zone.
17. KUMDIDIMO:
(Arguing and shouting) Are you crazy? These are the cassava stems my brother grows! I can’t believe how jealous you are! Do you really think I am so ignorant about cassava? (sarcastic) Or does the way I am asking for your advice make you feel important? (pause and a li) Anyway, how can cassava cuttings differ from one zone to another?
18. MESOZI:
(A little taken aback. Beginning quietly, then becoming more confident) You know, this is for your benefit and your family’s benefit … It is not recommended to plant cassava cuttings from one zone in another zone.
19. NARRATOR:
WILL KUMDIDIMO THROW AWAY THE CASSAVA STEMS FROM HIS BROTHER? WILL MESOZI GIVE SOME CASSAVA STEMS TO KUMDIDIMO? IS IT TRUE THAT MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO ARE HAVING A RELATIONSHIP? TUNE IN TOMORROW TO FIND OUT!
EPISODE 6
DURATION
1 MINUTE
TITLE
LET’S PLANT CASSAVA! (JINGLE)
CAST
KUMDIDIMO AND MESOZI
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S FARM
NARRATOR:
WE WILL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER EPISODE OF OUR DRAMA TOMORROW. UNTIL THEN, HAVE A LISTEN TO THIS SONG. (PAUSE BEFORE KUMDIDIMO STARTS)
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(Shouting) Hey, what are you doing with those cassava cuttings?
2. MESOZI:
(A little off-mic) I’m going to plant them. Please help! Cause it’s cassava planting time!!
SFX
VERY UPBEAT, HAPPYMUSIC STARTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAST WORD
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(Singing) This cutting has 4 nodes.
4. MESOZI:
This one has 6 nodes.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
Then we can plant them both in the ground, folks.
6. MESOZI:
Cause every cutting
7. KUMDIDIMO:
Is better than nothing
8. MESOZI:
As long as it has four nodes.
SFX
MUSIC STOPS
9. KUMDIDIMO:
Or five nodes or six (ends on a high note and holds)
10. TOGETHER:
(Pause, then talking) Because we’re …
SFX
MUSIC STARTS AGAIN
11. TOGETHER:
(Singing) planting cassava
We’re planting cassava
We’re planting cassava today.
Hurray!
We’re planting cassava
We’re planting cassava today.
Hurray!
EPISODE 7
DURATION
3 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
CORRECT SPACING FOR YOUR CASSAVA CUTTINGS
CAST
MESOZI, KUMDIDIMO AND LIANA
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRDS. SOUND OF KUMDIDIMO AND LIANA PLANTING CASSAVA.
NARRATOR:
THIS IS FARMER AND EX-EXTENSION AGENT AKILI WELCOMING YOU BACK TO OUR STORY. KUMDIDIMO IS LEARNING A LOT ABOUT CASSAVA! BUT WILL HE FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHAT HE’S LEARNED? WILL HE BECOME A SUCCESSFUL CASSAVA FARMER? WILL HE MAKE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY? AND WHAT ABOUT MESOZI? WHAT ARE HER GOALS, NOW THAT SHE’S TASTED SOME SUCCESS? QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS … BUT TO LEARN THE ANSWERS, YOU’LL HAVE TO LISTEN …
1. LIANA:
(SURPRISED) Father, why is that woman walking over there looking at you?
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(SURPRISED) Where? Ohh, that woman is Madam Mesozi. You met her before. (CALLING TO HER) Why are you passing so far away from us? I would like to ask you something.
3. MESOZI:
(OFF-MIC) Ok, I’m coming.
4. LIANA:
What’s this all about, father?
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(calling to Mesozi) Ok … (quietly, to Liana) Liana, you better go over there and keep planting cassava while the adults are talking. And make sure that before you plant, there are between 4 and 6 nodes on each cutting.
6. MESOZI:
(coming on-mic, surprised) Why are you chasing away your daughter? She is helping you plant!
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(low) You know it is not good for children to hear adults when we are talking. (pause) But before we talk about anything else, have you heard people say that we have some kind of relationship?
8. MESOZI:
(calmly) Of course. But I told them that our relationship was because of cassava…. (pause) Ok, let me leave you so that you can continue planting …
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(interrupting quickly, trying to engage her in conversation to keep her there) I am very happy because I can see that I am going to be the best cassava farmer in the district! What do you think?
10. MESOZI:
Yes, that sounds nice. I can see you are with your child…. But I don’t see your wife with you…. Where is she?
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(a little troubled) My wife is not with us today. She went back to her parents because of the rumours that there was something between you and me. (quickly) But leave that for the moment … (happier to be talking about something else and showing off for Mesozi’s approval) We have tried to leave the right distance from one cutting to another. (calling to his daughter) Liana, please show Madam Mesozi what we are doing.
12. LIANA:
(COMING ON-MIC, CONFIDENTLY) What we are doing, madam, is planting one cutting here, and planting the next cutting (PAUSE AS SHE WALKS ONE AND A HALF METRES AWAY) … over here. The plants are as far away from each other as the distance between my father’s chin and his feet!
13. MESOZI:
(with a chuckle) You are doing a nice job, Liana! (PAUSE, then SPEAKING TO KUMDIDIMO) But that looks like one and a half metres apart. You would have greater success if you planted your cassava at just one metre between cuttings. That’s about the distance between your feet and your waist, or twice the distance between the bottom of your foot and the middle of your knee. That distance would give you better yields.
14. KUMDIDIMO:
(SURPRISED AND DISTURBED) What?! Are you saying that all we’ve done is for nothing? Why can’t I leave it as it is? You know this is half of my shamba!
15. MESOZI:
(CAREFULLY, TRYING TO CALM HIM DOWN) Well … When I planted without following correct spacing procedures, I got 15 to 20 bags of cassava from one hectare. But when I followed the proper spacing, I got 40 to 60 bags…. So you can restart your work and harvest more bags of cassava … or leave it as it and harvest just a few bags. It is up to you! But the recommendation is to plant your cuttings one metre apart.
16. KUMDIDIMO:
(Amazed, and in a rather weak voice) Really?
17. NARRATOR:
WILL KUMDIDIMO BE ABLE TO RESTART HIS WORK AFTER ALREADY PLANTING HALF OF HIS CASSAVA FIELD? ESPECIALLY CAUSE HE’S ALREADY PLANTING LATE! AND WILL HE FOLLOW THE PROPER PLANTING PROCEDURES? WHAT DOES KUMDIDIMO’S WIFE ACHI THINK ABOUT ALL THE TIME HE SEEMS TO BE SPENDING WITH MESOZI? HMMM … THERE’S LOTS TO THINK ABOUT! LISTEN TOMORROW TO FIND OUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN! THIS IS AKILI, SIGNING OFF.
EPISODE 8
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
CORRECT PLANTING TIME
CAST
MESOZI AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
MESOZI’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRDS, COWS, CHICKENS. SOUND OF MESOZI WORKING IN THE FIELD, REPLANTING CASSAVA CUTTINGS.
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. AKILI HERE! THE LAST TIME WE MET MANDIGA, SHE AND MESOZI SEEMED TO HAVE VERY DIFFERENT FEELINGS ABOUT THE CLOSENESS BETWEEN MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO. WHAT DOES MANDIGA HAVE AGAINST MESOZI? IS SHE JEALOUS PERHAPS? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT ABOUT THAT, AND ALSO ABOUT HOW TO THE BEST WAY TO PLANT YOUR CASSAVA!
1. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC) Mesozi, my friend, you’re too quiet … how is work?
2. MESOZI:
(SURPRISED, STANDS UP AND SIGHS WITH EFFORT) Eh? … Fine. Why are you here, Mandiga? Is everything ok?
3. MANDIGA:
(SMILING) Everything’s fine. I just decided to see my friend because I wanted to learn something about cassava…. (LOUD WHISPER) But did you know that Kumdidimo’s wife is not at home because of you?
4. MESOZI:
(WITH CAUTION) I know, but I am not the reason … Let’s talk about something else, not rumours. It’s too hot to gossip today, Mandiga!
5. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHS, BUT PERSISTS IN JOKING) It is hot! But I tell you that there’s a good chance for you and him to enjoy a relationship! (PAUSE) Anyway, tell me, is the planting season for cassava still on?
6. MESOZI:
I know that Kumdidimo planted just last week, and he will get a decent yield if he follows all recommended practices. But the best planting season for cassava is over. It’s supposed to be planted at the same time as other crops. The yield is better if you plant right after the first rainfall.
7. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHING) So why are you planting now?
8. MESOZI:
I am replanting the cuttings which did not grow. The ag expert told me to replant all the cuttings that didn’t sprout.
9. MANDIGA:
Ummm … I have another question.
10. MESOZI:
(SOMEWHAT TIRED VOICE) Ok, but make it quick, Mandiga. It’s too hot to stay out much longer …
11. MANDIGA:
What’s the best way to plant cassava?
12. MESOZI:
(HAPPIER VOICE) Oh, that’s easy. Dig a hole and plant the cassava cuttings standing up straight. Just make sure that two-thirds of the length of the cassava cutting is below the soil.
13. MANDIGA:
Two-thirds below the ground. Ok. (JOKING) Oooh, that’s why Kumdidimo loves you! … You’re the one who advised him to plant in rows and with recommended spacing … And you gave him so much help!
14. MESOZI:
(CALMLY, AND GOING BACK TO WORKING) You know we have to share the experience and knowledge we have. I have been advised by experts, so I pass on that knowledge and help others.
15. MANDIGA:
(JEALOUS) That is why Kumdidimo mentions you in everything … (SARCASTIC) Oho, Mesozi is a good lady; she doesn’t like rumours; she knows everything …
16. MESOZI:
(A LITTLE SHOCKED, STOPS WORKING) What?
17. NARRATOR:
DID KUMDIDIMO REALLY SAY MESOZI KNOWS EVERYTHING? WHY IS MANDIGA SO JEALOUS? WHAT WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN MESOZI AND MANDIGA? DON’T MISS OUR NEXT PROGRAM.
EPISODE 9
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
WEEDING
CAST
MESOZI, MANDIGA, AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
MESOZI’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRDS, COWS, CHICKENS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK! THIS IS YOUR NARRATOR AND GUIDE, AKILI. OUR FRIENDS HAVE ALL PLANTED THEIR FIELDS. BUT YOU DON’T GET GOOD YIELDS BY PLANTING AND THEN LEAVING YOUR CROP ALONE! IF ONLY THAT WERE THE CASE, MY FRIENDS!! NO, YOU HAVE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CROPS – BY WEEDING, FOR EXAMPLE. BAD THINGS HAPPEN IF YOU LET WEEDS GROW IN YOUR FIELD AND PAY NO ATTENTION! (PAUSE) AND BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN YOU LET JEALOUSY GROW IN YOUR HEART AND PAY NO ATTENTION! BUT JEALOUSY IS TAKING ROOT IN MANDIGA’S HEART. LET’S LISTEN …
1. MANDIGA:
(CALLING FROM OFF-MIC) Mesozi, what are you doing in your field so early in the morning?
2. MESOZI:
Good morning, my friend. What does it look like I’m doing?
3. MANDIGA:
(ON-MIC, SURPRISED) But it’s too early to weed.
4. MESOZI:
(CONTINUING TO WEED THROUGHOUT EPISODE, BREATHING A BIT HEAVILY) Not if you want a good yield! You should do your first weeding four weeks after planting.
5. MANDIGA:
Really? How many weedings do you do before harvest?
6. MESOZI:
Three weedings at least, Mandiga. You see, weeds take away the nutrients in the soil so the cassava can’t get them. And they can take away the sunlight the cassava needs to grow.
7. MANDIGA:
You make it sound like they’re competing in a game, Mesozi. (LIKE A RADIO ANNOUNCER AT A SPORTING EVENT) Let’s see who can get the most nutrients! Will it be the weeds or will it be the cassava? The spectators are watching tensely …
8. MESOZI:
(LAUGHING) That’s exactly what it’s like, Mandiga. If you want the cassava to win, you have to remove the weeds. That way, the cassava wins the game and gets the soil nutrients and the sunlight.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(CALLING FROM OFF-MIC) Hello, Mesozi!
10. MANDIGA:
(UPSET) What is he doing here? Does he have to follow you around everywhere? (SUSPICIOUSLY) Have you cast a spell on that man, Mesozi?
11. MESOZI:
(SHOCKED AND INDIGNANT, STOPS WORKING) Mandiga!! He probably just wants my advice! (QUIETLY) Shhh! He’s coming …
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(COMING ON-MIC) Ahhh, you are doing your first weeding. Very good, Mesozi! (TO MANDIGA) Mesozi advised me to do my first weeding. I did it yesterday.
13. MANDIGA:
(SARCASTICALLY) You are an “A” pupil, Kumdidimo!
14. KUMDIDIMO:
(SHOCKED) What?
15. MESOZI:
Don’t pay any attention to her, Kumdidimo. She’s upset about something.
16. MANDIGA:
(ANGRY) Something?? (PAUSE) Well, I know when I’m not wanted! (SHE STOMPS OFF THROUGH THE FIELD)
17. NARRATOR:
(WORRIED TONE)Mandiga, Mandiga, Mandiga … Didn’t I say that jealousy can take root in the heart? (BRIGHTLY) but at least all three of our friends know that weeding cassava three times will lead to better yields! (WORRIED VOICE AGAIN) where will all this jealousy end? I’m afraid it won’t end well … But tune in next time to find out.
EPISODE 10
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
PLANT DISEASES IN CASSAVA
CAST
KUMDIDIMO AND THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICER
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF DIFFERENT BIRDS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. MY NAME IS AKILI. I AM SORRY TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS! KUMDIDIMO’S CASSAVA HAS BEEN ATTACKED BY DISEASE! HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, SO HE CALLED AN AGRICULTURAL OFFICER. LET’S LISTEN TO TODAY’S EPISODE TO FIND OUT MORE.
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(DEEP SIGH) Officer … Look at these leaves…. (PAUSE AS HE TOUCHES THE INFECTED LEAVES ONE AFTER ANOTHER) Just have a look for yourself. Yesterday it was only that one plant … but today … look …
2. AG OFFICER:
(PAUSE AS HE PICKS AND OBSERVES A FEW LEAVES) Ohhhh … Dear Kumdidimo … I’m sorry to tell you that your cassava has a serious problem.
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(WORRIED) Wh …wh … what …?
4. AG OFFICER:
(WITH SYMPATHY) Yes, these are symptoms of diseases which attack cassava.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(WORRIED BUT EAGER TO KNOW MORE) Officer, can you tell me more, please? (SOUND OF KUMDIDIMO AND THE OFFICER TOUCHING CASSAVA LEAVES)These cassava leaves are folding themselves … What kind of disease is that? That plant … and that one … (ALARMED) Look at that whole corner of my field!
6. AGRI.OFFICER:
(ENCOURAGINGLY) Kumdidimo, I’m happy that you have invited me to visit and inspect your cassava farm. Most farmers don’t want agricultural officers to see their crops. As a result, they fail to harvest very much. So thanks for that.
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(WITH FEAR, BUT STILL EAGER TO KNOW) Thanks, Officer, but tell me – what is the problem with my cassava?
8. AG OFFICER:
Kumdidimo, this disease is known as batobato or cassava mosaic disease. Its symptoms are leaves folding. But your cassava also has brown streak disease. Like that plant (PAUSE AS HE POINTS TO THE AFFECTED PLANT) … It’s infected with brown streak disease.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(CONFUSED AND ALARMED) Two diseases? God! My farm! My cassava! What am I going to do?
10. AG OFFICER:
(ENCOURAGING) Kumdidimo, don’t be afraid. You have discovered the problem in time. What you need to do is to simply uproot the affected plants and bury them! Then the other cassava plants will be safe.
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(CONFUSED) God! Uprooting!! What? (MOANS) My cassava! What will my family eat?
12. NARRATOR:
KUMDIDIMO’S FARM DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM! MOSAIC DISEASE AND BROWN STEAK DISEASE HAVE ATTACKED HIS CASSAVA! THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER SAYS THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO UPROOT THE AFFECTED PLANTS AND BURY THEM. WHAT WILL KUMDIDIMO DO? WILL HE TAKE THE OFFICER’S ADVICE? DON’T MISS NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 11
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
DISEASE CONTROL
CAST
MANDIGA AND MESOZI. DAYTIME.
LOCATION
AT MARKET SHOP
SFX
SOUNDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AND TALKING, AND BACKGROUD MUSIC
NARRATOR:
WELCOME TO ANOTHER EPISODE, DEAR LISTENER. AKILI HERE. YESTERDAY WE LEARNED THAT KUMDIDIMO’S CASSAVA IS DISEASED. WHAT WILL HE DO ABOUT IT? WHAT DO HIS NEIGHBOURS THINK? STAY TUNED!
1. MESOZI:
(WITH SYMPATHY) Good morning, Mandiga. Sit down and have some tea. Good that we have met … because there are many things that I am unhappy about.
2. MANDIGA:
(WONDERING) Mmmh! Mesozi, what is wrong? You are worrying me … Tell me … what is bothering you?
3. MESOZI:
Listen, ending poverty is a difficult issue, even if you work hard.
4. MANDIGA:
(DEEP BREATH) Come on, stop talking jargon! Can you be straight with me?
5. MESOZI:
It’s about Kumdidimo. Yesterday, the Agricultural Officer visited his farm and found that his cassava was not doing well. He advised him to uproot many of his plants so they don’t infect the others!
6. MANDIGA:
(SHOCKED) Mesozi, stop joking! Why uprooting? Why didn’t the Agricultural Officer give him pesticides? (WONDERING) His cassava looked so good …
7. MESOZI:
Yeah, sure it looked good. And Kumdidimo has spent a lot of money … (SYMPATHETICALLY) But there’s no way out. The Agricultural Officer said there’s no other way. The only solution is to uproot the infected plants and bury them or burn them!
8. MANDIGA:
(DEEP BREATH) But I’m wondering … My Grandma plants cassava at the boundaries of her farm. I have never heard that cassava gets diseases ….What are we going to do?
9. MESOZI:
(A LITTLE IMPATIENTLY) Come on, Mandiga … Cassava is like any another crop, like maize, like rice … it can be infected by diseases and treated with pesticides. But the only immediate treatment after your cassava is infected by disease is to uproot the infected plants!
10. MANDIGA:
Yes, Mesozi, I’m getting the idea now…. So you have to visit and check your fields regularly to find out if your cassava is infected. Then uproot the infected ones! Right?
11. MESOZI:
(EMPHASIZING) Yesss! One should do that to protect the farm! (LAUGHING) You know what they say: The best fertilizer is the farmers’ footsteps!!
12. NARRATOR:
IT SOUNDS LIKE MESOZI AND MANDIGA MIGHT HELP KUMDIDIMO OUT! BUT WHO KNOWS WHETHER HE’LL GET A GOOD HARVEST WITH ALL THAT DISEASE IN HIS FIELDS? LET’S SEE IF HIS FRIENDS CAN HELP! TUNE IN TO OUR NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 12
DURATION:
1 MINUTE
TITLE
RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS OF PLANT DISEASE
CAST
AGRICULTURAL OFFICER
LOCATION
IN THE STUDIO
SFX
LOCAL MUSIC
NARRATOR:
THIS IS AKILI, BACK WITH ANOTHER EPISODE OF THE ROOT OF LIFE. DID YOU KNOW THAT CASSAVA CAN BE ATTACKED BY PLANT DISEASES JUST LIKE MAIZE AND RICE AND VEGETABLES? MY GUEST TODAY IS AN AGRICULTURAL OFFICER. HE (SHE) WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF CASSAVA DISEASE. LISTEN UP!
AG OFFICER:
Cassava needs a lot of attention to make sure that it is not infected by disease.
For example, if you see cassava leaves which have small light green, yellow and white patches as well as the normal green colour, your cassava has been attacked by cassava mosaic disease.
Or your cassava plant might have dark brown streaks on the stem! Then, you should understand that your cassava is infected by brown streak disease.
For example, if you see cassava leaves which have small light green, yellow and white patches as well as the normal green colour, your cassava has been attacked by cassava mosaic disease.
Or your cassava plant might have dark brown streaks on the stem! Then, you should understand that your cassava is infected by brown streak disease.
NARRATOR:
What should farmers do if they see these signs of disease on their cassava plants?
AG OFFICER:
The first and foremost thing is to uproot all the infected plants. Second, bury the uprooted plants outside the farm. This will stop diseases from spreading throughout the farm. This is not the right time for spraying pesticides. Just uproot the infected cassava plants. Remember these two words: uproot and bury!
EPISODE 13
DURATION
2 MINUTES
TITLE
UPROOTING DISEASED PLANTS
CAST
MANDIGA AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
AT KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRD SOUNDS. SOUNDS OF KUMDIDIMO UPROOTING PLANTS THROUGHOUT THIS EPISODE.
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. AKILI HERE! IT’S BEEN DISCOVERED THAT SOME OF KUMDIDIMO’S CASSAVA PLANTS HAVE BEEN INFECTED BY DISEASE! AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO UPROOT THE INFECTED PLANTS! BUT WILL KUMDIDIMO REALLY UPROOT HIS PLANTS AFTER ALL THE WORK HE HAS DONE? AND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO? AND MANDINGA? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT.
1. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC, SURPRISED AND WORRIED VOICE) Kumdidimo … Kumdidimo … Why are you doing that? What is wrong?
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(HE PAUSES A MOMENT FROM UPROOTING PLANTS)Nothing at all, Mandiga. (BACK TO SOUND OF UPROOTING PLANTS)
3. MANDIGA:
(ON-MIC, HESITANTLY) If there’s no problem, why you are uprooting your cassava plants? And why do you look so sad? Come on, Kumdidimo, your cassava is not ready to be harvested! (PAUSE) And too much anger is harmful!
4. KUMDIDIMO:
I’m not angry at all. Actually, I’m happy that I found out early!
5. MANDIGA:
(SURPRISED) What did you find out? (QUIETLY) You were expecting great things from your cassava … (More calmly) Please stop. You are destroying plants – stop, Kumdidimo!
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(STOPS UPROOTING PLANTS AND BREATHES DEEPLY) Mandiga, listen … My cassava is infected by disease. The only solution is to uproot the infected plants and bury them away from the field. That will stop the disease from spreading to the rest of the farm.
7. MANDIGA:
(Understanding) Ohhh … now I remember. Mesozi told me you were having problems with plant disease. So you are uprooting only the infected ones?
8. KUMDIDIMO:
Of course!
9. MANDIGA:
Ok, I will help you … (SOUND OF LEAVES RUFFLING AS SHE BEGINS TO UPROOT PLANTS)
10. KUMDIDIMO:
(UNHAPPY) Please stop!!! You don’t know which ones are infected. Stop!
11. MANDIGA:
(ALARMED) But you’ve uprooted so many! Kumdidimo!!
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(Shouting) Leave me alone!
13. MANDIGA:
(WALKING OFF-MIC, COMPLAINING VOICE) Why are you shouting at me?
14. NARRATOR
: WELL, THIS SOUNDS SERIOUS! KUMDIDIMO HAS DECIDED TO UPROOT ALL HIS INFECTED CASSAVA AND BURY THEM TO STOP THEM FROM INFECTING OTHER PLANTS. BUT HE HAS TO REMOVE A LOT OF CASSAVA! WILL HE STILL HAVE A GOOD HARVEST? AND WHY ARE HE AND MANDIGA NOT GETTING ALONG? TUNE IN FOR OUR NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 14
DURATION:
1 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
SUCCESS STORY: A FARMER WHO BENEFITED FROM FOLLOWING APPROPRIATE CROP MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
CAST
MR. MHINA, FARMER
LOCATION
STUDIO
SFX
SOUNDS OF PEOPLE MOVING, ANIMAL SOUNDS IN BACKGROUND
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK. I AM YOUR NARRATOR AND GUIDE, AKILI. WHILE WE’RE WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS WITH KUNDIMIMO’S FARM, AND WHETHER HE WILL HAVE ANY CASSAVA TO HARVEST AFTER ALL HIS UPROOTING, LET’S TAKE A BREAK AND LISTEN TO THIS SUCCESS STORY FROM A LOCAL CASSAVA FARMER!
MR. MHINA:
My name is Mr. Mhina and I’m from Tongwe in Tanga region. I’m a cassava farmer. This year, I was careful to follow all the recommended practices for growing cassava. And my yields more than doubled! I prepared my land correctly, I did deep ploughing, and I chose planting materials which are right for our zone.
I followed the recommended plant spacing by the Agricultural Office, and I planted my cassava stems with one metre between rows and one metre between each plant in a row. I made sure that every planting stem had four to six nodes. I weeded three times properly. I planted during the first rains and replanted where the cuttings didn’t germinate.
Finally, I intercropped my cassava with legumes to restore fertility, and I used manure to increase the fertility of my soil!
Wow! After doing all these things right, my harvest was fantastic! I got sixty bags! Before I was only getting twenty to twenty-five bags. Why don’t you try these practices too?
I followed the recommended plant spacing by the Agricultural Office, and I planted my cassava stems with one metre between rows and one metre between each plant in a row. I made sure that every planting stem had four to six nodes. I weeded three times properly. I planted during the first rains and replanted where the cuttings didn’t germinate.
Finally, I intercropped my cassava with legumes to restore fertility, and I used manure to increase the fertility of my soil!
Wow! After doing all these things right, my harvest was fantastic! I got sixty bags! Before I was only getting twenty to twenty-five bags. Why don’t you try these practices too?
EPISODE 15
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
FINDING A MARKET BEFORE HARVESTING
CAST
MESOZI, MANDIGA AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
AT THE MARKET SHOP. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AND TALKING
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. MY NAME IS AKILI. AFTER MANY ADVENTURES, KUMDIDIMO DID GROW A GOOD CASSAVA CROP. AND NOW HIS CASSAVA IS READY FOR HARVEST! BUT HOW WILL HE SELL IT? EXPERTS SAY IT’S IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY A BUYER BEFORE YOU HARVEST, BECAUSE CASSAVA SPOILS VERY QUICKLY AFTER HARVEST. BUT WHAT WILL KUMDIDIMO DO WITH HIS CASSAVA? KEEP LISTENING TO FIND OUT.
1. MESOZI:
(HALF JOKING, COMING ON-MIC) Mandiga, I have looked everywhere for you. Then I remembered I might find you here having a tea in the market! But I have something to say to you. (SHORT PAUSE, STILL HALF-JOKING) It is not good oh! Why are you so happy that I quarrelled with Kumdidimo’s wife?
2. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHING) Mmmh … Mesozi, be careful. Kumdidimo is coming … (QUIETLY) Don’t let him know that we were gossiping about him!
3. MESOZI:
(ON-MIC) Welcome, Kumdidimo! Sit down with us. It’s good that you’ve come.
4. KUMDIDIMO:
(VERY EXCITED THROUGHOUT EPISODE) Thank you, Mesozi. I’m happy that I got you all together. But I won’t sit. There’s no time to waste – we’ve got many things to do. I beg your help …
5. MESOZI:
(SURPRISED) What kind of help are you talking about?
6. KUMDIDIMO:
Mesozi, my cassava is ready to be harvested. I can’t do that myself. That’s why I’ve come to ask for your help.
7. MANDIGA:
When are you expecting to harvest?
8. KUMDIDIMO:
(HAPPILY) Next week! And after we finish, I will send my cassava to the market!
9. MESOZI:
Wow! Have you got a customer?
10. KUMDIDIMO:
(DISMISSING THE QUESTION AS UNIMPORTANT)This is no problem. Once my wonderful cassava reaches the market, some customer will buy it! I just need to harvest it and send it to the market. Customers will see my cassava, they’ll be interested – and they will buy!
11. MESOZI:
(A LITTLE HESITANTLY) Kumdidimo, I’m not sure that is a good idea …
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(LESS EXCITED, NOW SUSPICIOUS) What do you mean? If you are going back to your jealous ways …
13. MESOZI:
(MORE CONFIDENTLY) No, Kumdidimo … It’s just that, like any other crop, cassava has its own challenges. You should find a market before you harvest your cassava. If you don’t have an immediate buyer, you’ll have to store it. And then it may not be good quality cassava. Cassava spoils after just a little time.
14. KUMDIDIMO:
(STILL DISMISSING HER CONCERN) Mesozi, don’t worry; we will not miss the customers for sure. (JOKINGLY, PROUDLY) Just be prepared! I’m going to buy some good clothes for my family! And my children will join the best schools!
15. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHING) You are going to be rich! But remember: find the market first! Then ask us to help with the harvesting!
16. KUMDIDIMO:
(CONFUSED) I have to find a customer first?
17. NARRATOR:
IS KUMDIDIMO GOING TO HARVEST HIS CASSAVA BEFORE HE FINDS A BUYER? AND WHAT WILL HE DO WITH HIS CASSAVA IF HE DOESN’T HAVE A CUSTOMER TO TAKE IT RIGHT AWAY? DON’T MISS THE NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 16
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
CHOOSING PLANTING MATERIALS FOR NEXT SEASON
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
ON KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUND OF BIRDS. CHICKENS AND OTHER FARM ANIMALS FROM TIME TO TIME IN BACKGROUND.
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. IT’S YOUR FRIEND AKILI HERE WITH YOU AGAIN. IN OUR LAST EPISODE, MESOZI ADVISED KUMDIDIMO NOT TO HARVEST HIS CASSAVA UNTIL HE HAD A BUYER. IS KUNDIDIMO GOING TO HARVEST IT ANYWAY? WE’LL SEE … BUT TODAY HE HAS TO LEARN SOMETHING ELSE. HE’S GOT TO LEARN ABOUT CHOOSING PLANTING MATERIALS! STAY TUNED.
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(COMING ON-MIC) You told me to come to this corner of my field, Mesozi … Why? What do you want to tell me? (Pause) Mesozi?!
2. MESOZI:
(CLEARING THROAT NERVOUSLY) Kumdidimo, listen … Your cassava is ready to be harvested. Look at these plants … and those… and those. But you must find a market before harvesting your cassava. Also, before you choose planting materials for next season, you must decide how much cassava you want to plant. For example, if you want to plant two hectares next season, you have to choose more cuttings than if you are only going to plant one hectare.
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(SURPRISED) Mmmh … Why?
4. MESOZI:
Just have a look. The reason I asked you to come to this part of the field is that, from here (SOUNDS OF WALKING THROUGH FIELD) to here … (SOUNDS OF WALKING) … to here … to here … you can reserve these healthy plants as planting materials for next season. You won’t harvest here; you’ll leave it just for planting materials. Ok.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(UNHAPPY) Ok … But that’s a lot of plants …
6. MESOZI:
(BOLDLY) Mmmh … Kumdidimo, remember that planting materials should come from healthy plants, right? (PAUSE) Don’t you want to save this many stems? What’s wrong, Kumdidimo?
7. KUMDIDIMO:
It seems too big! We’re saving too many stems!
8. MESOZI:
Yes, it is big! But … if we save all these plants for next season, that means you can plant more than five hectares of cassava! If you save this many stems, you’ll be able to sell your cassava and you’ll have another source of income.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(NOT UNDERSTANDING) What do you mean?
10. MESOZI:
You can save some stems and you can sell stems to other farmers!
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(UNDERSTANDING, HAPPY) Right! So next season I’ll have more hectares and I can sell stems!! Fantastic! (JUMPING UP AND DOWN WITH HAPPINESS) I really will be rich!!
12. BOTH:
LAUGH
13. NARRATOR:
THAT’S OUR STORY FOR TODAY. WILL KUMDIDIMO AND MESOZI AGREE ON HOW TO SAVE PLANTING MATERIALS? THEIR RELATIONISHIP SEEMS TO BE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER. WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THAT? DON’T MISS NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE 17
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
TWO WAYS TO STORE PLANTING MATERIALS
CAST
MANDIGA AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
OUTSIDE KUMDIDIMO’S HOUSE. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUND OF CHICKENS, BIRDS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK. AKILI HERE! MESOZI HAS ALREADY HELPED KUMDIDIMO CHOOSE THE PART OF THE FIELD WHERE HE WILL SAVE PLANTING MATERIALS FOR NEXT SEASON. BUT THAT’S NOT THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE PLANTING MATERIALS! TODAY’S EPISODE STARTS WITH KUMDIDIMO BUSY STORING SOME HEALTHY CUTTINGS. STAY TUNED TO LEARN THE BEST WAYS TO STORE CASSAVA PLANTING MATERIALS.
1. KUMDIDIMO:
SINGING A TRADITIONAL SONG AS HE WORKS. SOUNDS OF WORKING THROUGHOUT EPISODE.
2. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC, LAUGHING. TO KUMDIDIMO) For sure, a man is meant to work, and a woman cares for children … (ON-MIC) Why are you putting these cassava stems here in the shade, my neighbour? Are they for firewood?
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(LAUGHING)Mandiga, welcome…. No, they are not for fire wood!
4. MANDIGA:
(WONDERING) Then what are you doing?
5. KUMDIDIMO:
I’m just preparing a place to store cassava planting materials.
6. MANDIGA:
Ok. (PAUSE) Why don’t you do it in the field? This looks like a difficult process – uprooting the cuttings from the field, preparing a place to store them … it looks difficult!
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(CONTINUING TO WORK) Yeah, I know. There are two ways of storing cassava, Mandiga. First, you can select a part of the field with good quality, high-yielding cassava and leave the plants to grow on the farm for planting materials.
8. MANDIGA:
(A LITTLE OFFENDED) I may be young, Kumdidimo. But I am not ignorant. I know that you can leave the plants growing in a special part of the field. But what’s the second way you talk about?
9. KUMDIDIMO:
You can do what I’m doing. I’m harvesting cassava and selecting good stems for planting materials. Actually, my wife harvested these roots. Then I brought them home, put them in the shade and buried them with a bit of soil. Of course, you have to water them regularly so that they don’t dry out.
10. MANDIGA:
(IN A WEAK VOICE) Your wife …?
11. KUMDIDIMO:
Yes! What of it! She is my wife. She’s back from her parents’ house now. Why shouldn’t she harvest our cassava?
12. MANDIGA:
(UPSET, SAYS WEAKLY) I don’t know … (PULLS HERSELF TOGETHER)But you went too fast, Kumdidimo! Slow down! (PAUSE) First you harvest them and then what?
13. KUMDIDIMO:
(LAUGHING) Sorry. Then you bring them home, put them in the shade and bury them with a bit of soil. And you water them regularly so they don’t dry out.
14. MANDIGA:
Ok. (PAUSE) Why are you tying them together?
15. KUMDIDIMO:
(LAUGHING) Oh, I tie them together to make it easier to carry them from the field. Apart from that, all the stems must stand straight and be covered with soil. Look here, Mandiga (PAUSE AND SOUND OF KUMDIDIMO SHOVELLING SOIL) … I’m collecting soil to cover these stems. I have to make sure that all the nodes are face up.
16. MANDIGA:
Mmmh … How did Mesozi store her cassava plants to be planted next season?
17. KUMDIDIMO:
Aaah! Mesozi does it the other way! She leaves part of her cassava field for planting materials. I did leave part of my field for planting materials. And I am storing some. So, you can either do it like Mesozi, or store your cassava like me.
18. MANDIGA:
(TEASING) Kumdidimo, I think you like money, eh? I like money too!!
19. KUMDIDIMO:
(LAUGHS AS HE WALKS OFF-MIC) That’s good! One should love money!!
20. NARRATOR:
KUMDIDIMO SEEMS AS IF HE REALLY WANTS TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF HIS CASSAVA CROP! WE KNOW HE LOVES HIS FAMILY VERY MUCH. HE’S LEARNING MANY THINGS! BUT IS SOMETHING HAPPENING BETWEEN HIM AND MANDIGA NOW? WHAT WOULD MESOZI THINK? AND WHAT ABOUT KUMDIDIMO’S POOR WIFE? HMMM … SO MANY WOMEN … MAYBE KUMDIDIMO SHOULD STICK TO CASSAVA?! TUNE IN FOR NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 18
DURATION
1 MINUTE
TITLE
SELECTING AND STORING PLANTING MATERIALS
CAST
PRESENTER
FORMAT
SPOT/PSA
SFX
POPULAR TRADITIONAL MUSIC FOR 15 SECONDS, THEN CROSS-FADE TO PRESENTER
PRESENTER:
(WITH STRONG EMPHASIS) Farmers, it is important to select good quality cassava planting materials for next season. It will help you to get a huge harvest!
Make sure you select only mature and healthy plants, with no pests and no disease symptoms. The plants you select should have been planted nine to twelve months ago. I’ll repeat that! The plants you select should have been planted nine to twelve months ago. If they are more than twelve months old, there is a poor chance they will sprout next season. Make sure the plants are free from diseases and pests.
So, to summarize: Select only mature and healthy plants with no pest damage or disease symptoms. The selected plants should be from nine to twelve months old. If they are older than that, sprouting will be poor and you will have a low yield. Ensure that the plants are free from disease. Good planting materials mean a great harvest!
Make sure you select only mature and healthy plants, with no pests and no disease symptoms. The plants you select should have been planted nine to twelve months ago. I’ll repeat that! The plants you select should have been planted nine to twelve months ago. If they are more than twelve months old, there is a poor chance they will sprout next season. Make sure the plants are free from diseases and pests.
So, to summarize: Select only mature and healthy plants with no pest damage or disease symptoms. The selected plants should be from nine to twelve months old. If they are older than that, sprouting will be poor and you will have a low yield. Ensure that the plants are free from disease. Good planting materials mean a great harvest!
SFX
BRING UP MUSIC, THEN FADE AFTER 15 SECONDS
EPISODE 19
DURATION:
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
HOW TO HARVEST CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
ON KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. MID-MORNING.
SFX
BIRDS AND ANIMAL SOUNDS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. I AM AKILI, YOUR GUIDE AND NARRATOR. KUMDIDIMO’S CASSAVA IS READY TO BE HARVESTED. BUT DOES HE KNOW THE CORRECT TECHNIQUE FOR UPROOTING THE PLANTS TO HARVEST THEM? MESOZI IS OFFERING HIM LOTS OF HELP! BUT IS THERE MORE TO THIS RELATIONSHIP THAN MEETS THE EYE? AND WHAT ABOUT MANDIGA? WILL SHE HELP TOO? OR DOES SHE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT.
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(SOUND OF KUMDIDIMO UPROOTING CASSAVA PLANTS. HE IS MAKING ANGRY SOUNDS)
2. MESOZI:
(COMING ON-MIC) Kumdidimo, I am here to help you harvest. (PAUSE) But it sounds like you are not happy. (TENDER VOICE) Can you tell me why you are upset … tell me. please!
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(IGNORES HER AND STARTS SINGING)
4. MESOZI:
Ok, ok. Forgive me if I did anything wrong to you. (PAUSE) But you know very well that you asked me to come and help you harvest. (SILENCE) Come on, Kumdidimo … It means I’m alone here or …
5. KUMDIDIMO:
(INTERRUPTING BITTERLY) You know, Mesozi, I‘ve nothing to do with you as an Agricultural Officer! You are free! You can choose either to help me or not! It is not necessary that we talk while you are helping me. In fact, it’s better that you leave me alone. I will manage myself harvesting! (SOUND OF KUMDIDIMO UPROOTING CASSAVA PLANTS)
6. MESOZI:
Why are you so angry? (PAUSE) Oh stop … stop! You are doing it wrongly … (SOUND OF WALKING THROUGH CASSAVA PLANTS AS SHE MOVES TO WHERE KUMDIDIMO IS) Look! God, you have destroyed all those which you uprooted! … Who will buy them with these bruises and broken … You will end up selling at lower prices. It’s not good to be angry at serious times like this!
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(SHYLY) Ah! My God! (HUMBLY) Mesozi, what do I do then … ? (STAMMERS) Wha …?
8. MESOZI:
(SOUNDS OF HER UPROOTING PLANTS AS SHE TALKS)Kumdidimo, didn’t you help your parents harvest cassava when you were a boy?
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(EMBARRASSED, QUIET VOICE) No, I was with the animals. Or I didn’t pay attention …
10. MESOZI
: (A LITTLE SHARPLY) Then watch! first of all, you need to remove the soil covering the roots. That will help you to uproot them easily, so your roots won’t break or bruise. You have to avoid bruising the roots during harvesting. If they get bruised or broken, they rot very quickly. If you avoid bruising, your cassava can be stored longer at high quality.
11. KUMDIDIMO:
(STILL SHY AND NERVOUS) Oh, thank you so much, Mesozi. I didn’t know that …
12. MESOZI:
(EXASPERATED WITH HIM) Well, it’s good that you know now! … Have a nice day … (SOUND OF HER FOOTSTEPS LEAVING THE FIELD)
13. NARRATOR:
KUMDIDIMO IS HARVESTING CASSAVA, AND NOW THAT MESOZI HAS TAUGHT HIM THE RIGHT HARVESTING TECHNIQUE, HE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD CROP. BUT WHO WILL HE SELL HIS CASSAVA TO? DOES HE ALREADY HAVE A BUYER?AND WHY WAS HE SO ANGRY WITH MESOZI? TO FIND OUT, DON’T MISS THE NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 20
DURATION
1 MINUTE
TITLE
WHEN TO HARVEST CASSAVA
FORMAT
CONVERSATION BETWEEN 2 FARMERS
CAST
2 FARMERS
LOCATION
IN MARKET. DAYTIME.
SFX
FADE UP MARKET SOUNDS FOR 10 SECONDS. FADE AND HOLD UNDER CONVERSATION. AFTER CONVERSATION, BRING UP SOUNDS THEN FADE OUT.
FARMER A:
Has your cassava been growing for more than nine months?
FARMER B:
Yes, I planted it 11 months ago.
FARMER A:
Excellent! It’s now ready for harvest!It’s time to find a buyer!!
FARMER B:
Ok! So if it’s more than nine months old it’s ready for harvest. How else can I tell that my cassava is ready to be harvested?
FARMER A:
Check the soil! If the roots have broken through the soil surface, your cassava is ready to be harvested!
A + B:
YES! Time to harvest cassava!!!
NARRATOR:
If you want to harvest your cassava, it is important that it has been nine months or more since you planted it. Also, look at the soil. If the roots have broken the soil surface, you can harvest good quality roots that are large and healthy!
EPISODE 21
DURATION
4 MINUTES
TITLE
SORTING AND GRADING
CAST
ACHI (KUMDIDIMO’S WIFE), KUMDIDIMO AND MR. JUMA, A CUSTOMER
LOCATION
ON KUMDIDIMO’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRD SOUNDS. SOUNDS OF WALKING THROUGH CASSAVA FIELD AT APPROPRIATE MOMENTS.
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. MY NAME IS AKILI. KUMDIDIMO HAS HARVESTED HIS CASSAVA AND A CUSTOMER IS VISITING HIS FARM. BUT THERE IS TOTAL CONFUSION! HIS WIFE ACHI WANTS TO SELL BY ONE METHOD, BUT KUMDIDIMO IS EAGER TO SELL QUICKLY AND GET SOME CASH! WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WILL THE CUSTOMER BUY KUMDIDIMO’S CASSAVA OR NOT? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT!
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(WHISPERING TO ACHI) Achi, my wife! Who is this person?
2. ACHI:
(LAUGHING OFF-MIC, THEN IN LOWER VOICE)My husband, stop being jealous! (ON-MIC) You need to understand that if you harvest cassava, you must have a market. You must have a buyer! Shhhh … Here comes our customer …
3. KUMDIDIMO:
Hey … Welcome, Mr. Juma.
4. ACHI:
(TO THE CUSTOMER) Yes, you are welcome. You’ve come to the right farm …
5. MR. JUMA:
(SPEAKING CAREFULLY, TRYING TO TRICK KUMDIDIMO AND ACHI AND BUY CASSAVA FOR A LOW PRICE) Mmmh … Let me look around a bit … (PAUSE AS HE LOOKS AROUND THE FARM AND SAYS OFF-MIC) HMMM … HMMM … DISAPPROVINGLY AS IF HE’S SEEN SOMETHING THAT HE DOESN’T LIKE. SOUND OF WALKING THROUGH CASSAVA PLANTS) … (OFF-MIC) You know, your cassava doesn’t look very good … But I am willing to buy it just to help you out. (PRETEND HEARTY LAUGH) As a matter of fact, I’m feeling quite generous today! (PRETEND LAUGH) I will take your whole cassava crop if we can negotiate a good price!
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(EAGERLY, SPEAKING IN LOW VOICE TO HIS WIFE) My wife, this is a good start for our cassava business! Let’s take the money! (SPEAKING TO THE CUSTOMER VERY EAGERLY) How much will you give us?
7. MR. JUMA:
(SOUND OF CUSTOMER OPENING WALLET ON-MIC) Ok, let’s see, I can give you …
8. ACHI:
(INTERRUPTING, SPEAKING SLOWLY AND CLEARLY) No no, I totally disagree! You must understand that this cassava is very high quality! There is nothing wrong with it. I’m not ready to sell at a garbage price. You better leave. Don’t worry – others will come and buy our cassava.
9. MR. JUMA:
(PRETENDS TO BE SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED) Oh no, madam … don’t expect anybody to come to the farm to buy your cassava. You’ll have to bring it yourself to the market now. (ARROGANTLY) And for your information, the first person you’ll meet when you come to the market is me!
10. ACHI:
(BOLDLY AND CLEARLY) I’m not afraid … Even if I harvest before selling my cassava, I’m not going to sell it in bulk. I will grade and sort my cassava and sell it at the grade price. That price will show the true value of my cassava!! Medium-sized roots for the market. Big and small roots to eat at home or sell for processing … No more discussion!
11. MR. JUMA:
(BREATHES DEEPLY, THEN SPEAKS QUICKLY) Ok, forget about all that…. How much do you want for the whole cassava crop?
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(EAGERLY WANTS THE MONEY, SPEAKING IN LOW VOICE) Achi, tell him to give us all the money he has! Then we can close our business with a profit!
13. ACHI:
(SPEAKING TO CUSTOMER SLOWLY AND CLEARLY) I told you that I’m not selling in bulk or on the farm!! I must harvest and grade according to size and quality. I know that the market and the processing centres accept roots only when they’re been harvested 24-36 hours before … If you can’t give me the grade price, come back in a few days. Then can we talk about business.
14. MR. JUMA:
(ANGRY) It seems you are not in business at all, madam! (SOUND OF HIS FOOTSTEPS STOMPING OFF)
15. KUMDIDIMO:
(ANGRY) Now you have lost us a sale, woman! What do you think you’re doing?
16. ACHI:
(SHARPLY) Kumdidimo, we must be smart! First we grade. Listen! Traders and consumers need medium-sized roots. People who process high-quality cassava flour need big roots. To make chicken feed, you use small roots. For fresh cassava, for boiled cassava, and for roasted and fried cassava chips, you need medium-sized because they’re easy to peel! You have to know this in order to get a good price! (SHOUTING) I am not going to get nothing for this cassava!! Understand?
17. NARRATOR:
ACHI REFUSES TO SELL CASSAVA IN BULK. SHE WANTS TO GRADE FIRST, THEN SELL. BUT WHAT ABOUT KUMDIDIMO? WILL HE AGREE? WILL ACHI AND KUMDIDIMO FIGHT ABOUT THIS? THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN? WELL, WHATEVER HAPPENS, DON’T MISS OUR NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 22
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
PLANTING LEGUMES FOR IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY
CAST
MESOZI, KUMDIDIMO.
LOCATION
MESOZI’S FARM. DAYTIME.
SFX
BIRDS, COWS, CHICKENS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK. THIS IS YOUR FRIEND AND NARRATOR, AKILI. EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL! BOTH MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO HAVE HARVESTED THEIR CASSAVA, SORTED AND GRADED IT AND MANAGED TO MAKE A SALE. BUT MESOZI IS BACK IN HER CASSAVA FIELD ALREADY! KUMDIDIMO CAN’T BELIEVE IT! IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FIELD THAT SHE LOVES?
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(COMING ON-MIC, JOKING)Mesozi, haven’t you had enough of your cassava field? What are you doing here? (PAUSE, THEN CURIOUSLY)What do you have in your hands?
2. MESOZI:
(CONTINUING TO WORK, IN A TIRED VOICE) Do you think a farmers’ job is ever done? No, Kumdidimo, I must take care of my soil. Some of us can’t afford to buy a lot of fertilizer, you know.
3. KUMDIDIMO:
Fertilizer? What do you mean? I don’t understand.
4. MESOZI:
(PATIENTLY) Look at what I have in my hands. (PAUSE AS SHE SHOWS HIM)
5. KUMDIDIMO:
Cowpeas. (STILL PUZZLED)You’re planting cowpeas?
6. MESOZI:
Yes! (PATIENTLY) You know that cowpeas are legumes, right?
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(STILL PUZZLED) Yes … But …
8. MESOZI:
(LOSING PATIENCE) Honestly, Kumdidimo – you call yourself a farmer? Listen!! (PAUSE) If I plant cowpeas right after I harvest my cassava, they will add nitrogen to my soil and make it more fertile. They are a substitute for the fertilizer I can’t afford.
9. KUMDIDIMO:
(THOUGHTFULLY) So cowpeas add nitrogen to the soil … Hmmm …
10. MESOZI:
Yes, and they suppress weeds. And you can feed them to your animals – goats, chickens, even cattle. Actually, you can use many types of legumes – crotalaria, pigeon peas, other legumes…. All those legumes add nitrogen to the soil.
11. KUMDIDIMO:
Couldn’t you just grow them in the same field as your cassava? I mean, intercrop them with cassava?
12. MESOZI:
Yes, Kumdidimo. That is a good idea and many people do that.
13. KUMDIDIMO:
But, Mesozi, why did you choose cowpeas?
14. MESOZI:
Many reasons, Kumdidimo. Because the pods and the young tender leaves are edible, and my family will have more food to eat. … (QUIET VOICE) And … because I grew up eating cowpeas. They were my father’s favourite dish.
15. KUMDIDIMO:
Ahhh, I understand. (JOKING) So the hard heart of Mesozi can be moved …
16. MESOZI:
(ANGRY) Kumdidimo, you are so tactless! Please leave! Go back to your wife!
17. KUMDIDIMO:
(PROTESTING) I didn’t mean anything …
18. MESOZI:
(INTERRUPTING) I am working hard today, Kumdidimo. Please don’t bother me!
19. KUMDIDIMO:
What …?
20. NARRATOR:
Why is Mesozi so short-tempered? I thought she and Kumdidimo were getting along well! maybe kumdidimo is now jealous of achi?? well, even though their relationship might be strained, Mesozi has taught Kumdidimo something by planting cowpeas right after she harvested her cassava. Will Kumdidimo do the same thing? And will they work out their argument? Tune in to next episode to find out.
EPISODE 23
DURATION
1 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PROCESS CASSAVA
CAST
AG OFFICER
LOCATION
STUDIO
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. AKILI HERE AGAIN WITH YOU! KUMDIDIMO’S WIFE REFUSED TO SELL HER CASSAVA ON THE FARM OR IN BULK. THAT WAS A BIG CHALLENGE FOR KUMDIDIMO. BUT WHAT ABOUT MESOZI? SHE HAS DONE SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT! MESOZI HAS DECIDED TO PROCESS MOST OF HER CASSAVA TO INCREASE ITS VALUE. WHAT WILL OUR EXPERT AG OFFICER SAY TODAY ABOUT PROCESSING CASSAVA? STAY TUNED!!!
AG OFFICER:
Cassava is the second most important crop for food security in Tanzania. It has many benefits. But, to take maximum advantage of these benefits, and to make the most money from your crop, you must make sure it is well-processed. Then you must take advantage of its many uses! Processed cassava flour can be used for many different purposes. High-quality cassava flour is used to make many different kinds of snacks.
And cassava is even used in industry! For example, cassava glue is used in many types of manufactured goods. And cassava starch is in great demand to make many different kinds of products!
So, cassava farmers, if you want to get the maximum income from your cassava, it’s important to do three things. First, process your cassava. Second, make high-quality cassava flour. And third, make sure you get a good price!
And cassava is even used in industry! For example, cassava glue is used in many types of manufactured goods. And cassava starch is in great demand to make many different kinds of products!
So, cassava farmers, if you want to get the maximum income from your cassava, it’s important to do three things. First, process your cassava. Second, make high-quality cassava flour. And third, make sure you get a good price!
EPISODE 24
DURATION
4 MINUTES
TITLE
HOW TO PROCESS BITTER CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI, KUMDIDIMO, MANDIGA, AND AG OFFICER
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S HOME. INSIDE. MORNING.
SFX
BACKGROUND NOISES – A COCK CROWING, SOUND OF FARM ANIMALS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. MY NAME IS AKILI. ALL YOU CASSAVA FARMERS IN THE AUDIENCE PROBABLY KNOW THAT THE MOST POPULAR WAY TO PROTECT CASSAVA FROM WILD ANIMALS IS TO PLANT BITTER VARIETIES AROUND THE EDGE OF THE FARM, AND SWEET VARIETIES INSIDE. WHEN THE ANIMALS TASTE THE BITTER VARIETY, THEY RUN AWAY. BITTER CASSAVA IS DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS UNLESS THE CASSAVA IS TREATED FIRST. SO CASSAVA FARMERS NEED TO PROCESS THEIR CASSAVA TO EXPEL THE POISON. THIS EPISODE TEACHERS US HOW TO PROCESS BITTER VARIETIES SO WE HUMANS CAN EAT THEM! OUR FRIENDS HAVE GATHERED THIS MORNING AT MANDIGA’S HOME. LET’S LISTEN …
1. MANDIGA:
(SOUND OF CHEWING, THEN SPITTING WITH A SLIGHTLY DISGUSTED NOISE) Mmmh … Kumdidimo, do you mean that all these cassava plants you brought over are bitter? You didn’t bring any sweet ones today?
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(LAUGHING)Mandiga, don’t eat those ones. Sorry, these are all bitter cassava. My wife has taken the sweet ones to market. But someone is coming today to teach us how to process the bitter ones so that they will be safe to eat.
3. MANDIGA:
(A LITTLE SHARPLY) Yes, I know, I was the one who invited this person. (SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS COMING ON-MIC) Welcome, Mesozi … (WHISPERS TO KUMDIDIMO) The person has come …
4. KUMDIDIMO:
(BREATHES DEEP)…Oooh!
5. MESOZI:
(COMING ON-MIC) Good morning, Mandiga. (SOUND OF THEM ALL SHAKING HANDS AND GREETING EACH OTHER)
6. KUMDIDIMO:
And here is the Agricultural Officer. Good morning, sir.
7. AG OFFICER:
Good morning, everyone.
8. MANDIGA:
(PULLS UP A CHAIR) Please, have a seat with us. I’m happy that you have come. As I told you before, I would like to know how to process bitter cassava, please.
9. AG OFFICER:
(SOUND OF CHAIR SCRAPING ON FLOOR AS HE SITS, THEN CLEARS HIS THROAT) Good question, Mandiga … The bitter variety of cassava is the one that contains much more of the toxin.
10. MANDIGA:
(HAPPILY) Just tell me how. This cassava here is too bitter, I tell you!
11. AG OFFICER:
There are some recommended ways to remove these toxins from cassava, especially from the bitter variety.
12. MANDIGA:
(VERY DIRECT) Mmmh … How?
13. AG OFFICER:
You need a method to get the poison called cyanide out of bitter cassava. So, with bitter cassava, you need to use two tools: a grater and a presser.
14. MANDIGA:
Ok, a grater and a presser. How do you start?
15. AG OFFICER:
There are four steps: peeling, grating, squeezing and drying.
16.MANDIGA:
Peeling, grating, squeezing and drying. OK. Explain, please.
17.AG OFFICER:
First, you peel the root as soon as possible after harvest. Second, you grate the root. Third, you use the presser to squeeze all the water out of the cassava mash. And finally, you let the pressed cassava mash dry in the sun.
18: MANDIGA:
What about getting the poison out?
19. AG OFFICER:
Drying the mash in the sun allows all the poisonous cyanide to evaporate. The more you peel and grate it and squeeze the water out of the cassava mash, and then expose it to the sun, the more the poisonous cyanide gas evaporates, so that your cassava is safe to eat!
20. MANDIGA:
Ok, let me see if I understand … First, I peel the root. Right after harvest. Then I grate it, and then I press the water out of the mash with a presser. And then I let the bitter cassava mash dry in the sun. (PAUSE, A LITTLE SURPRISED) Is that all there is to it?
21. AG OFFICER:
(CHUCKLES) Yes, Mandiga. You got it! That’s all there is to it. After the cassava is dry, you can mill it into flour. It’s a good idea to make the flour as soon as possible after the cassava has fully dried. Then it will be both safe to eat and the best quality.
22. KUMDIDIMO:
(Surprised) That’s so simple. And yet the toxins from cassava kill people!
23. AG OFFICER:
(LAUGHS) Yeah, the toxins are harmful.
24. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHING) I like what I‘ve learned today! (SUDDENLY SHY) Thank you, Officer … (LAUGHING AGAIN AND TEASING) But I’m not sure that Kumdidimo understands … he doesn’t seem serious. (BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER)
25. KUMDIDIMO:
(DEFENSIVE) Aaah! Stop it, Mandiga. I’m serious … I want to learn and I don’t want joking!
26. MESOZI:
(ANGRY) Mandiga, what are you talking about?
SFX
ANGRY MUTTERING AND SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS STOMPING OFF; FADING OUT
27. NARRATOR:
THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER HAS TAUGHT THEM ALL HOW TO REMOVE TOXINS FROM CASSAVA! SO … TO MAKE SURE BITTER CASSAVA IS SAFE TO EAT, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PEEL IT WELL, THEN GRATE IT, SQUEEZE OUT THE WATER AND LEAVE IT IN THE SUN UNTIL IT’S DRY! THEN IT’S SAFE TO EAT. AND TO MAKE CASSAVA FLOUR! SO WHY AREN’T OUR FRIENDS HAPPY? WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE THREE? WHY ARE THEY ALWAYS FIGHTING? MANDIGA SAYS SHE LIKES WHAT SHE’S LEARNED. THEN WHY WAS SHE NASTY TO KUMDIDIMO? AND HOW DO YOU PROCESS SWEET CASSAVA? SO MANY QUESTIONS! BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT TILL NEXT EPISODE FOR THE ANSWERS! DON’T MISS IT!
EPISODE 25
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
HOW TO PROCESS SWEET CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
MESOZI’S HOUSE. INSIDE. MORNING.
SFX
BACKGROUND SOUNDS – CHILDREN PLAYING, CHICKENS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY! AKILI HERE AGAIN WITH YOU. NOW THAT MANDIGA KNOWS HOW TO PROCESS BITTER CASSAVA, SHE IS VERY EAGER TO KNOW MORE ABOUT PROCESSING SWEET CASSAVA. WHO IS GOING TO TEACH HER? STAY TUNED!!!
1. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC JOKING) Good morning, Mesozi, don’t you have anything else to do than work on cassava?
2. MESOZI:
(SOUND OF PEELING CASSAVA) Mandiga, my first priority is cassava. (PAUSE) DId you know that you have to process sweet cassava differently than bitter cassava? Do you know how to process sweet cassava?
3. MANDIGA:
No. Do you mean it’s a different process than bitter cassava?
4. MESOZI:
Yes, it is a little different.
5. MANDIGA:
Ok. So how do you process sweet cassava? (PAUSE) And what is that piece of equipment you’re holding?
6. MESOZI:
Mandiga, this is a chipper. It’s used to chip sweet cassava.
7. MANDIGA:
I seem to be learning a lot from you. (HALF-JOKING, BUT A LITTLE SARCASTIC) But then, you’re so much older than I am and have had time to learn things. (SPEAKING QUICKLY) So how do you process sweet cassava, Mesozi?
8. MESOZI:
(A LITTLE SHARPLY, BUT NOT VERY CONCERNED) Mandiga, you should watch what you say! (i>CALMLY) But putting all that aside, the first thing you do is peel the sweet cassava well. Then, you use the chipper to chip it into pieces. Then you simply dry the chipped pieces in the sun until they are well-dried. Then you bring the dried pieces to the flour mill to be processed into good quality flour.
9. MANDIGA:
(INTERESTED AND EAGER) Mesozi, but we just heard about grating bitter cassava and squeezing out the liquid … Wow … so processing sweet cassava is different?
10. MESOZI:
Yes, there are two different methods. That method is for bitter cassava. You cut bitter cassava into small pieces to allow the poison to evaporate when the mash dries in the sun. But with sweet cassava, you simply chip the root and let the pieces dry in the sun. So this chipper (SOUND OF CHIPPING CASSAVA) is for sweet cassava only. And remember! It’s important to process cassava because that you get a high price for good quality cassava flour.
11. MANDIGA:
(NODDING HER HEAD) Wow! Good lesson. I have learned something today! So if I process my sweet cassava well, I get more money.
12. MESOZI:
Of course!
13. MANDIGA:
(EXCITED) Ok! That’s good news to me! (LAUGHTER)
14. NARRATOR:
MANDIGA HAS DECIDED TO PROCESS HER CASSAVA IN ORDER TO IMPROVE HER INCOME. HMMM … I WONDER WHAT SHE HAS IN MIND! TUNE IN NEXT EPISODE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS!
EPISODE 26
DURATION
1 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
USING HIGH QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR
CAST
FARMER A AND FARMER B
LOCATION
AT THE MARKET. DAYTIME.
SFX
MARKET SOUNDS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK. I’M AKILI. BEFORE WE RETURN TO KUMDIDIMO AND HIS FRIENDS, LET’S LISTEN TO A CONVERSATION THAT COULD HAPPEN ANY DAY OF THE WEEK BETWEEN TWO FRIENDS.
FARMER A:
(CLEARS HIS/HER THROAT) Mmmh … look at this, my friend. Is it wheat flour or cassava flour?
FARMER B:
(CLEAR VOICE) This is cassava flour! (PAUSE) Why do you look surprised?
FARMER A:
Mmmh! It must be imported then, eh?
FARMER B:
(CONFIDENTLY) No. it’s made right here in Tanzania! The Tanzanian people who process this flour are experts! They pay a lot of attention to the quality of the process. Like I said, they are experts!
NARRATOR:
High-quality cassava FLOUR can be used to make many different foods. Cassava flour is good for making porridge and ugali. You can mix it with maize flour or wheat flour. You can also mix it with pigeon peas to make nutritious, protein-rich flour.
Cassava flour is incredibly versatile. You can use it to make processed foods like biscuits and bread. AND … High-quality cassava flour is used to make medicines, glue, syrups and many other things.
Cassava flour is incredibly versatile. You can use it to make processed foods like biscuits and bread. AND … High-quality cassava flour is used to make medicines, glue, syrups and many other things.
EPISODE 27
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
COUNTERACTING NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
AT MESOZI’S HOUSE. INSIDE. DAYTIME.
SFX
ANIMAL SOUNDS – CHICKENS, COW
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK, LISTENER. I’M AKILI, YOUR FRIEND AND NARRATOR. DID YOU KNOW THAT CASSAVA IS USED TO MAKE MANY TYPES OF VALUABLE PRODUCTS? YOU CAN MAKE CLOTHING, MEDICINE, WOOD GLUE AND MANY OTHER THINGS! BUT WHAT IS MANDIGA IS GOING TO DO WITH HER CASSAVA? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT.
1. MANDIGA:
(CLEARS HER THROAT) Mmmh! Mesozi! Thank you for the tea. It was getting hot out there weeding your farm! (PLEASED WITH HERSELF, TEASING) But do you know what? … there are some things that even you don’t know, Mesozi! Many people are familiar with only two uses for cassava – porridge and ugali!
2. MESOZI:
(NOT RESPONDING TO MANDIGA’S TEASING) It’s true! That’s what I used to think. But I was quite wrong. I’ve learned from experts that there are many ways to add value to cassava. It can be used to make other things than the foods we are used to.
3. MANDIGA:
(PRETENDING TO BE SHOCKED) Mesozi! Do you believe everything these experts tell you? (SHYLY) Well, I mean … other than the Ag Officer we met the other day. He seemed … uhhh … trustworthy. (PULLING HERSELF TOGETHER AND SHARPLY) But can you truthfully tell me you have seen cassava being made into things other than food?
4. MESOZI:
(LIGHTLY TEASING) Mandiga … I think you like the Officer … Hmmm … perhaps Mandiga is not as distant from men as she seems …
5. MANDIGA:
(EMBARRASSED AND ANGRY) Never mind about that! We were talking about cassava. (PAUSE AND CALMER) So, have you seen cassava being made into all those things you mentioned?
6. MESOZI:
Aaah, to be honest, despite the fact that I know a little about cassava, I’ve never actually seen cassava used to make these things.
7. MANDIGA:
(SMUGLY) Ha! I knew it!
8. MESOZI:
But … (LAUGHTER) I’ve seen cassava starch made into these things. They use starch to make medicines; they use it to make clothing; they use cassava starch to make wood glue … And they use it to make alcohol.
9. MANDIGA:
Really? All those things are made with cassava?
10. MESOZI:
Well, not raw cassava. First, you have to make cassava starch. Cassava starch is used to make all those things. And that’s on top of all the types of food we get from cassava. (PAUSE) So one thing’s obvious – we need to grow a lot of cassava! And there’s a really big market for cassava!
11. MANDIGA:
(SUDDENLY UNDERSTANDING) Oooh! Now I understand why Mr. Kumdidimo divorced his wife. (TEASING, BUT A LITTLE ANGRY) But, Mesozi … don’t agree to marry him without a wedding, even if there’s only a few people at the ceremony. You have to convince him to marry you! (LAUGHING) Why struggle alone?
12. MESOZI:
(CHUCKLING) Eh! To be honest, Mandiga, you are good at gossiping! (PAUSE ONE BEAT) By the way, have you harvested your cassava? Why are you not talking about your cassava?
13. NARRATOR:
DO YOU THINK KUMDIDIMO AND MESOZI WILL GET MARRIED AND LIVE TOGETHER? HMMM … MANDIGAMIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT, EVEN IF SHE SEEMED TO BE ENCOURAGING MESOZI TO MARRY HIM! WHAT IS SHE UP TO? AND WHAT ABOUT THE AG OFFICER? DON’T MISS OUR NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE 28
DURATION
1 MINUTE
TITLE
FORTIFYING CASSAVA FLOUR WITH OTHER NUTRITIOUS FOODS
CAST
MR. JOHN MHINA, SUCCESSFUL FARMER
LOCATION
FARMER’S HOUSE. INSIDE.
SFX
PEOPLE TALKING IN BACKGROUND. FADE TO LOW WHEN FARMER SPEAKS.
JOHN MHINA:
My name is Mr. John Mhina. I’m a successful farmer and I both make and use high-quality cassava flour in my home.
My family uses high-quality cassava flour several times a day. We mix it with protein-rich foods like pigeon peas and other seeds, because cassava flour has a lot of carbohydrate but little protein. So, when cassava flour is mixed with pigeon peas, soya, or finger millet, we get a good-tasting and protein-rich product which is very nutritious for children, sick people, elderly people – and everyone else!
You know, a few weeks ago, my neighbour asked me what kind of food my children eat. Because my children looked so big and energetic, he said! I told him that cassava porridge is very good for children. From then on, my neighbour has been feeding cassava porridge to his children!
My family uses high-quality cassava flour several times a day. We mix it with protein-rich foods like pigeon peas and other seeds, because cassava flour has a lot of carbohydrate but little protein. So, when cassava flour is mixed with pigeon peas, soya, or finger millet, we get a good-tasting and protein-rich product which is very nutritious for children, sick people, elderly people – and everyone else!
You know, a few weeks ago, my neighbour asked me what kind of food my children eat. Because my children looked so big and energetic, he said! I told him that cassava porridge is very good for children. From then on, my neighbour has been feeding cassava porridge to his children!
NARRATOR:
HIGH QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR IS AN IMPORTANT FOOD FOR CHILDREN, FOR THE ELDERLY, AND FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. AND IT’S DELICIOUS!
MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR FOR YOUR HEALTH.
MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR FOR YOUR HEALTH.
EPISODE 29
DURATION
2 MINUTES
TITLE
BLENDING CASSAVA FLOUR
CAST
CHAIRPERSON, VILLAGERS
LOCATION
AGRICULTURAL OFFICER’S OFFICE
SFX
SOUND OF MANY PEOPLE TALKING AT A VILLAGE MEETING. THROUGHOUT THE MEETING, THERE IS A MURMUR OF TALKING IN THE BACKGROUND, WITH SOME PEOPLE AGREEING AND OTHER DISAGREEING WITH THE QUESTIONS AND THE QUESTIONERS, AS WELL AS CLAPPING, ULULATIONS, ETC.
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK! THIS IS YOUR GUIDE, FRIEND AND NARRATOR, AKILI. TODAY, WE ARE PLEASED TO BRING YOU SOME TIPS ON HOW TO BLEND HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR WITH OTHER FLOURS TO INCREASE ITS NUTRITIONAL VALUE.
CHAIRPERSON:
Ok, everyone. Quiet down (TALKING SUBSIDES). Today, our Agricultural Officer is here to answer any questions you have about high-quality cassava flour. I will now open the floor to questions. Go ahead.
SFX
Murmuring, which mostly subsides under questioner’s voice
QUESTIONER #1:
Expert, we would like to know the most important uses of high-quality cassava flour?
AG OFFICER:
High quality cassava flour can be used for exactly the same things as ordinary cassava flour. For example, you can use it to make porridge, to make snacks, or to make ugali.
QUESTIONER #2:
What is high quality cassava flour usually used for?
AG OFFICER:
Most often, it is used to make food, but it is best if you blend it.
QUESTIONER #2:
What do you mean by blending?
AG OFFICER:
Blending means adding different cereals or protein-rich foods like pigeon pea flour or soya flour to make cassava flour more nutritious and good-tasting.
QUESTIONER #1:
How much of the other flours should be added to the cassava flour?
AG OFFICER:
Not more than 10% of the total amount. If you add too much, the cassava flour would be too expensive. Remember: 10% is the recommended maximum amount.
QUESTIONER #3:
After blending, how should a farmer store the cassava flour?
AG OFFICER:
Good question. After you have mixed everything together, we advise you to keep the mixture clean and safe, and to prevent it from contact with any moisture.
SFX
Fade out talking from meeting, and under narrator’s voice
NARRATOR:
BLENDING CASSAVA FLOUR WITH OTHER CEREAL FLOURS OR PROTEIN-RICH FLOURS LIKE PIGEON PEA OR SOYA WORKS BEST IF YOU ADD JUST 10% OF THE OTHER FLOURS. FOR THE BEST QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR, IT’S BEST TO FOLLOW THIS EXPERT ADVICE!
EPISODE 30
DURATION
3 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
USING HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR
CAST
KUMDIDIMO, MESOZI, AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S HOUSE. INSIDE. LUNCH TIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF EATING AND TALKING
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY. AKILI HERE! WE’VE HEARD ALL ABOUT HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR LATELY –AND ABOUT BLENDING HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR WITH OTHER FLOURS. BUT WHAT CAN YOU USE THIS HIGH-QUALITY FLOUR FOR? I THINK MESOZI MIGHT HAVE SOME IDEAS! LET’S LISTEN AS SHE AND KUMDIDIMO HAVE A CLOSE CONVERSATION!
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(WITH LOVE) Hmmm … You haven’t finished eating yet!
2. MESOZI:
(WITH LOVE) I have eaten enough. I want to leave early to see my children; they are ready to come home from school.
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(WITH LOVE) That’s ok; I don’t mind. (PAUSE, THEN BETWEEN BITES) Can you please tell me why these snacks are so sweet?
4. MESOZI:
(LAUGHS, WITH LOVE) I used high-quality cassava flour. With high-quality cassava flour, you can make samosas, maandazi, cakes, pancakes and many other snacks.
5. KUMDIDIMO:
How about ugali?
6. MESOZI:
You can make ugali the ordinary way – without adding ten per cent wheat, maize, sorghum, or finger millet. But people who are unfamiliar with the taste of cassava flour often mix it with ten per cent other grains so it tastes better and more familiar.
7. KUMDIDIMO:
(WITH LOVE) Mmmh … (PAUSE AS HE CHANGES SUBJECT) Mesozi … why don’t you want to come and stay with me? What are you afraid of? I have divorced my wife! This house now has no woman … and it’s only you who can fill that gap. I don’t have a wife any longer! (PAUSE) And I would like you to be my wife.
8. MESOZI:
(SURPRISED) Eh?
9. MANDIGA:
(SOUND OF DOOR OPENING AND MANDIGA COMING ON-MIC) Did I hear someone say “wife”? Are you asking me to be your wife, Kumdidimo? (SHOCKED SILENCE FOR A FEW SECONDS) Well, even if your wife, Mama Achi, wasn’t here, I would have to … (FIGHTS BACK A FEW TEARS, BUT THEN SAYS HAPPILY) I would have to say “no” because I am marrying the agricultural officer! (PAUSE, THEN IN SHOCKED VOICE)… Oh wow! Mesozi is here! I didn’t see you … So … Kumdidimo … you were asking … Mesozi to marry you, Kumdidimo? (STILL SHOCKED SILENCE SO MANDIGA CHANGES THE SUBJECT AND SAYS IN A PRETEND LIGHT-HEARTED VOICE) Kumdidimo … did Mesozi make these donuts?
10. MESOZI:
(PAUSE, VERY SHY) Oh, we were just talking about high-quality cassava flour. (PAUSE, THEN NERVOUSLY) You can taste!
11. NARRATOR:
OBVIOUSLY, MESOZI KNOWS TO COOK! SHE MADE DONUTS FROM HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR. KUMDIDIMO PRAISES HER, THEN HE ASKS MESOZI THE QUESTION … WHICH HE HAD BEEN MEANING BUT FAILING TO ASK FOR A LONG TIME. BUT MANDIGA OVERHEARD THEIR TALK AND GOT IT ALL WRONG. AND NOW SHE’S GETTING MARRIED TO THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER??? THE QUESTION IS: DOES THE OFFICER KNOW HE’S GETTING MARRIED TO MANDIGA? MEANWHILE, MESOZI HASN’T ANSWERED KUMDIDIMO’S QUESTION. WILL THIS BE THE END OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP? OR A NEW BEGINNING? AND MOST IMPORTANTLY (LAUGHING), IS MANDIGA GOING TO EAT ALL THEDONUTS? … TOFIND OUT THE ANSWERS TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS, DON’T MISS NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 31
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
SELLING FOODS MADE FROM RAW CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI, MANDIGA AND CUSTOMERS
LOCATION
MANDIGA’S SHOP. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF PEOPLE AT SHOP BUYING ROASTED CASSAVA WITH CHARCOAL AND CASSAVA CHIPS. TALKING, LAUGHING, SHOUTING …
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE! AS ALWAYS, I’M AKILI, YOUR FRIEND AND NARRATOR. LISTEN!! DID YOU HEAR THAT MANDIGA HAS GONE INTO BUSINESS? AND SHE’S WILDLY SUCCESSFUL! STAY TUNED TO HEAR MORE!
1. MANDIGA:
(SPEAKING QUICKLY, EFFICIENTLY, ASKS CUSTOMER) How many cassava do you want? Chips or roasted with charcoal?
2. CUSTOMER:
Five pieces fried and two pieces roasted with charcoal.
3. MANDIGA:
(SHORT PAUSE AND SOUND OF WRAPPING CASSAVA WITH NEWSPAPER) Ok, here are five fried and two roasted with charcoal. Do you want me to put them together or keep them separate?
4. CUSTOMER:
Don’t worry; just put them together … add chilli pepper, please!
5. MANDIGA:
Mmmh, here is your change (SOUND OF CUSTOMER LEAVING)…Mesozi!! What can I get for you?
6. MESOZI:
(KINDLY) No problem, Mandiga, I’m not in a hurry.
SFX
SOUND OF TWO CUSTOMERS ORDERING CASSAVA
7. MANDIGA:
(RESPONDING TO CUSTOMERS) Let me check first at the stove … (PAUSE) People like cassava snacks, Mesozi!
8. MESOZI:
Congratulations on developing this business. Wow! You are doing so well! Selling cassava snacks must be a good business to be in!
9. MANDIGA:
Thank you. (PAUSE) But is this praise from your heart or are you pretending?
10. MESOZI:
(PROTESTING) No … no, Mandiga, I’m not pretending … My only advice is that you improve the store’s hygiene.
11. MANDIGA:
(ANGRY) You just can’t stop teaching, can you! (SHORT PAUSE) But what do you mean?
12. MESOZI:
Sorry, Mandiga … But for example, you take money in your hands, and then without washing them, you handle another piece of cassava. Also, you are using old dirty newspapers to wrap cassava for your customers. Why don’t you use a fork for handling your cassava?
13. MANDIGA:
(SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY) Mmmh … Good idea …
14. MESOZI:
(CONTINUING) Also, it’s good to have some kind of covering to protect your cassava from dust and bacteria. Mandiga, there are people who hide their money in their socks, and some don’t wash their socks either! So using a fork instead of your hands would be better. Money is very dirty and can carry diseases!
15. MANDIGA:
(BOLDLY, MAKING A STATEMENT) So … Mesozi, you have come to tell me to keep my mouth shut and not tell people that you’re in a relationship with Kumdidimo! (PAUSE AND MORE QUIETLY)I know about good hygiene, so your advice will be taken. (TALKING QUIETLY TO HERSELF) Hmmm … Should I tell people or not …?
16. NARRATOR:
WOW! MANDIGA IS NOW SUCCESSFULLY SELLING CASSAVA SNACKS! MESOZI ADVISES HER ABOUT HYGIENE … BUT WILL SHE TAKE MESOZI’S ADVICE? AND – MOST IMPORTANT – IS SHE GOING TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO’SRELATIONSHIP? TO FIND OUT, TUNE IN TO THE NEXT EPISODE.
EPISODE 32
DURATION
1 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
CASSAVA: A RAINBOW OF BENEFITS
CAST
TWO PRESENTERS WITH VERY DIFFERENT VOICES. FOR EXAMPLE, PRESENTER 1 COULD HAVE A LOW-PITCHED VOICE AND PRESENTER 2 A HIGH VOICE.
LOCATION
STUDIO
PRESENTER 1:
(SERIOUS TONE) Cassava is good food for the family and …
PRESENTER 2:
(INTERRUPTING, LIGHT-HEARTED, LOUD) … and the whole community!
PRESENTER 1:
(PAUSE, CLEARS THROAT AND BEGINS AGAIN IN A SERIOUS TONE) Cassava can be prepared in many different ways. You can …
PRESENTER 2:
(INTERRUPTING, PLAYING A JOKE ON PRESENTER 1 AND SINGING) boil it, boil it with meat or fish, deep fry it, roast it with charcoal …
PRESENTER 1:
(INTERRUPTING VERY LOUDLY AND FIRMLY) That’s right!! (PAUSE, THEN BACK TO SERIOUS TONE) And now, if I can be permitted to continue without interruption … (PAUSE AND SILENCE) You can also …
PRESENTER 2:
(COMING TO THE END OF HIS SONG) boil it with beeeeeans! (TALKING) I love it that way!
PRESENTER 1:
(PAUSE AND THEN STARTS SPEAKING QUICKLY) There are as many ways to prepare cassava as there are people who eat cassava! (PAUSE, AS IF DARING THE OTHER PRESENTER TO INTERRUPT, THEN CONTINUES IN SLOWER VOICE) With cassava, you can make ugali, porridge, chapattis …
PRESENTER 2:
(INTERRUPTING AND SINGING AGAIN) … samosas, donuts, kebabs, and maaaany other foods!
PRESENTER 1:
(PAUSE THEN SINGS THE LAST LINE BEAUTIFULLY) Remember that cassava is suitable for everyone – children, adults, sick people, old people – eeeeeveryone!
PRESENTER 2:
(PAUSE, THEN IN A VERY SLOW AND SERIOUS TONE) Cassava. For quality food and food security.
EPISODE 33
DURATION 3 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
HOW TO MAKE CASSAVA STARCH
CAST
MESOZI AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
AT MESOZI’S HOUSE. INSIDE. DAYTIME.
SFX
CHICKENS AND OTHER ANIMAL SOUNDS
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR CASSAVA STORY! THIS IS AKILI BACK AGAIN TO PRESENT THE NEXT EPISODE OF THE ROOT OF LIFE, ALL ABOUT CASSAVA! MANDIGA HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME CREATING HER CASSAVA BUSINESS. TO FIND OUT HOW SHE IS DOING NOW, STAY TUNED! AND YOU’LL ALSO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE CASSAVA STARCH!
SFX
SOUND OF POURING WATER, AS MESOZI FILTERS GRATED CASSAVA MIXED WITH WATER TO MAKE STARCH
1. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC) Hi, Mesozi! (ON-MIC) Sorry for being late…. (HALF-JOKING) Women have a lot to do during the daytime.
2. MESOZI:
(SOUND OF POURING A STARCH SOLUTION INTO ANOTHER CONTAINER. THE SOUND CONTINUES THROUGH HER AND MANDIGA’S NEXT SPEECH) Oh, thank you, Mandiga. Sometimes it’s good to be busy! Just have a seat … How can I help you, dear?
3. MANDIGA:
(PULLS UP A CHAIR AND SITS DOWN) I’m wondering … (CHANGES SUBJECT AND ASKS IN A CURIOUS VOICE)What are you doing?
4. MESOZI:
(HAPPY. STOPS WORKING) Mandiga, I’m preparing starch.
5. MANDIGA:
Starch? What is that?
6. MESOZI:
Starch is one of the products you can make from raw cassava.
7. MANDIGA:
(EAGERLY) Mesozi, I would like to know more about that! I came here to buy some raw cassava for my business. But before that, could you kindly tell me how to make starch?
8. MESOZI:
(SNEEZES THREE TIMES)
9. MANDIGA:
Bless you.
10. MESOZI:
Thank you. Sure, I’ll tell you more about how to make starch. First, you have to wash your cassava and peel it well. Then you wash the peeled cassava again thoroughly.
11. MANDIGA:
Ok, so the cassava has to be really clean!
12. MESOZI:
Yes! Then you grate your washed cassava and put it in a clean dish or bucket. Then you add three times as much clean water as you have cassava, and you soak it for 30–45 minutes…. Do you understand so far?
13. MANDIGA:
(VERY KEEN) I understand well, Mesozi. Soak your grated cassava in a bucket with three times as much clean water as cassava. Go on! What’s next?
14. MESOZI:
Pour the grated cassava water through a clean piece of cloth. Then leave the filtered water to settle for an hour or more. You can discard the cassava pulp caught in the cloth. Or you could dry it and add it to animal feed.
15. MANDIGA:
Ok, I let the filtered water settle for at least one hour.
16. MESOZI:
Right. Then pour the water off slowly. You will see settled material at the bottom of your container. That is cassava starch. Carefully break that into smaller pieces or lumps. Then dry it in the sun for at least six hours.
17. MANDIGA:
Ok, so after the filtered water has settled for an hour, I pour off the water slowly, and I break the cassava starch into smaller pieces. Then I dry it in the sun for six hours. Is that right?
18. MESOZI:
At least six hours …
19. MESOZI:
Then your starch is finished!
20. MANDIGA:
(HAPPILY)Thank you so much, Mesozi! I have learned something new! But can you help me the first time I do it?
21. MESOZI:
Of course! Is there anything else you want to learn? Just ask …
22. MANDIGA:
(QUIET VOICE) I know you are jealous of my marriage with the Agricultural Officer … (PAUSE AND STILL IN A QUIET VOICE) I’m sorry it will not work out with Kumdidimo …
23. MESOZI:
(SHOCKED) What? You’re married to the Agricultural Officer? What do you mean it won’t work out with Kumdidimo?
24. MANDIGA:
Bye! (SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS GOING AWAY)
25. NARRATOR:
SO MANDIGA HAS LEARNED HOW TO MAKE STARCH. BUT STILL, THERE ARE PROBLEMS BETWEEN HER AND MESOZI. DOES SHE KNOW SOMETHING WE DON’T? IS IT NOT GOING TO WORK OUT BETWEEN MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO? DID KUMDIDIMO SAY SOMETHING TO MESOZI? AND IS MANDIGA REALLY MARRIED TO THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER? TUNE INTO NEXT EPISODE TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
EPISODE 34
DURATION
1 MINUTE
TITLE
USES OF STARCH
LOCATION
SCHOOL ROOM
CAST
TEACHER, SCHOOL CHILDREN
SFX
SOUND OF SCHOOL CLASS, 12-YEAR OLD BOYS AND GIRLS, LOTS OF TALKING
TEACHER:
Ok, class, quiet down. I’m going to give you a quiz!
STUDENTS:
Groans, some say “oh no,” etc.
TEACHER:
Don’t worry. We’ll do the quiz all together out loud. Who can guess what the quiz is on?
GIRL:
(AFTER A FEW SECONDS, SHYLY) Cassava?
TEACHER:
Right! This will be easy because we’ve been learning all about cassava the last few weeks. So … Who can tell me what cassava starch is used for?Just speak up if you know the answer …
BOY:
To make gum.
TEACHER:
Right! Very good. What else?
GIRL:
To make medical packaging.
TEACHER:
From our future nurse!
CLASS:
Laughter
TEACHER:
Let’s get two more uses.
BOY:
To make biscuits?
TEACHER:
Yes! Cassava starch has so many uses. Just one more!
GIRL:
Well, my Daddy says that cassava starch is very good to him.
TEACHER:
(CURIOUS)Why does he say that?
GIRL:
He gets money from growing cassava … and (PAUSE)
TEACHER:
(IN AN ENCOURAGING VOICE)Yes …
GIRL:
And he says that cassava starch is made into beer – for everyone to enjoy!
TEACHER:
(Laughing) That’s right. Cassava is good for us all! Good work, class!
STUDENTS:
CHEERING
EPISODE 35
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
CASSAVA AS LIVESTOCK FEED
CAST
MESOZI, MANDIGA AND AGRICULTURAL OFFICER
LOCATION
AT MESOZI’S HOUSE. INSIDE. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUND OF TALKING AND DRINKING TEA
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR STORY! AS ALWAYS, I’M AKILI. NOW THAT MANDIGA HAS LEARNED HOW TO MAKE STARCH, SHE IS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MANY OTHER THINGS ABOUT CASSAVA. TODAY SHE WILL LEARN ABOUT USING CASSAVA FOR ANIMAL FEED. BUT DOES MANDIGA KNOW SOME SECRET ABOUT MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO? AND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH HER AND THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER? STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT!
1. AG OFFICER:
(SWALLOWING, A LITTLE NERVOUS) I really appreciate that you are adapting the knowledge you learned about cassava farming, Mandiga. (JOKING) And now you are celebrating the fruits of the advice you received from an Agricultural Officer!
2. MANDIGA:
(A LITTLE SHY AND UNCOMFORTABLE) Yes … through cassava I’m now a good entrepreneur.… I buy cassava from Mesozi, I sell it, and I earn money.
3. MESOZI:
(LAUGHS) But you could have done that long ago, Mandiga! If you would have stopped gossiping!
4. AG OFFICER:
(CLEARS HIS THROAT) Well … changing the subject, did you know that cassava can be used for animal feed?
5. MANDIGA:
(SIGHING, THEN SHARPLY) Mmmh no! I disagree with that … I understand that cassava is very dangerous for animals. For example, if a cow eats cassava, its stomach swells.
6. AG OFFICER:
(A LITTLE TAKEN ABACK WITH HER PASSION) Well … yes … but listen carefully, Mandiga … if cassava is eaten by itself, it causes problems for animals, like you mentioned. So cassava should be mixed with maize or other grains. But this should be done with an expert’s advice. And don’t forget that cassava isn’t just used to feed cattle – cassava can also be part of goat and chicken feed.
7. MESOZI:
(CURIOUS) So how should you mix cassava with other grains?
8. AG OFFICER:
(SLOWLY) First, you must slice the cassava into small pieces. Then it can be mixed. Don’t worry – mixed cassava is good for your animals. Cassava can replace some part of the grains in livestock feed.
9. MANDIGA:
How do you mix it? In what proportions?
10. AG OFFICER:
For cattle, you can mix it 80:20, so 20% cassava and 80% other grains. Same for chickens. You can substitute 20% of their maize feed with cassava. And, you can also feed cassava peel to pigs.
11. MANDIGA:
(AS SHE TAKES TEA, EMPHATICALLY) Now I agree with you … if it is mixed in those proportions and cut into small pieces! But officer … please … it seems as if Mesozi already knows all this! It seems that she knows everything! (ACCUSING) When did you teach her? In the afternoon? (SHOUTING) At midnight?(SHE GETS UP QUICKLY AND KNOCKS OVER HER CHAIR IN HER RUSH TO LEAVE)
12. MESOZI + AGRI. OFFICER (BOTH):
( AS SHE LEAVES) Why are you leaving …? Wait … Finish your tea.
13. NARRATOR:
WHY IS MANDIGA ALWAYS MYSTERIOUSLY LEAVING? AND WHY WAS SHE ACCUSING THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER? SOMETHING IS REALLY BOTHERING HER … (PAUSE) ON THE OTHER HAND, HER BUSINESS IS STILL GOING WELL! IS SHE GOING TO USE THIS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIVESTOCK FEED IN HER BUSINESS? AND WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO? TO FIND OUT, DON’T MISS THE NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE 36
DURATION
2 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
RECORD KEEPING FOR CASSAVA FARMERS
CAST
KUMDIDIMO AND MANDIGA
LOCATION
AT MESOZI’S HOME. INSIDE. EVENING.
SFX
COW MOOING IN BACKGROUND
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR CASSAVA STORY! I’M AKILI, YOUR FRIEND AND NARRATOR. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR CHARACTERS TODAY? DID YOU KNOW: EXPERTS SAY THAT, IF YOU DON’T KEEP GOOD RECORDS, YOU COULD LOSE ALL YOUR WEALTH AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT? DO YOU THINK YOU NEED TO KEEP RECORDS FOR CASSAVA? FOR THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, STAY TUNED.
1. MANDIGA:
(SOUND OF DOOR OPENING, COMING ON-MIC, SURPRISED) Kumdidimo! I am bringing Mesozi some cassava snacks. But what are you doing at Mesozi’s home this late? (SUSPICIOUS) Or will you sleep here tonight?
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(CALMLY) What is wrong, Mandiga? I’m working.
3. MANDIGA:
(UPSET) Do you mean that you are now married to Mesozi? Ooh – without any celebration?
4. KUMDIDIMO:
(CALMLY, PREOCCUPIED WITH WHAT HE’S DOING) No, I’m doing record keeping. I’m writing down my income and my expenses since I started growing cassava – from the beginning right up to today. I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of growing cassava!
5. MANDIGA:
(WONDERING, SUSPICIOUS) But to whom are you writing these pages and pages of cassava expenses? He – or she! – will want to monitor and control your money! Be careful, Kumdidimo! Mesozi wants to control your money! (Pause) Or are you writing a divorce note to Mama Achi?
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(A LITTLE FRUSTRATED, BUT MAKING AN EFFORT TO REMAIN CALM) No, Mandiga … this has nothing to do with a divorce paper … It is just expenses! I am writing it for my own benefit. Keeping records helps a farmer understand if you are making money or making a loss. It helps you understand how much you spend on a particular crop. Then, you can plan how much to spend and how much to save for the future. Do you understand?
7. MANDIGA:
(DEEP BREATH) I understand…. But, Kumdidimo, what makes you stay with Mesozi? … Mesozi is everything to you! And there are so many other women in the village … Talk to them …
8. KUMDIDIMO:
(IRRITATED AND EXASPERATED) What are you talking about, Mandiga? I don’t understand you …
9. NARRATOR:
MANDIGA IS SO SUSPICIOUS ABOUT MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO. WILL HER SUSPICION DRIVE KUMDIDIMO TO FIND ANOTHER WOMAN? WILL KUMDIDIMO SUCCEED WITH HIS CASSAVA RECORDKEEPING? DON’T MISS NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE 37
DURATION
2 MINUTES
TITLE
PROMOTING YOUR CASSAVA PRODUCTS
CAST
MESOZI, CHAIRPERSON AND VILLAGERS
LOCATION
UNDER THE BIG TREE
SFX
PEOPLE WHISPERING AND MID-MORNING SOUNDS OF ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND CHILDREN IN BACKGROUND
NARRATOR:
GREETINGS! I’M AKILI, YOUR NARRATOR AND GUIDE TO THE ROOT OF LIFE. VILLAGERS WHO GROW AND EAT CASSAVA ARE ALL CASSAVA STAKEHOLDERS! WHAT CAN THEY LEARN FROM MESOZI’S LIFE WITH CASSAVA? TO FIND OUT, LISTEN TO THIS!
1. CHAIRPERSON:
Ok … ok … Attention please! At the back there – silence please! (PAUSE AS VILLAGERS QUIET DOWN) Many times, our Agricultural Officer visits us, but we are not ready to apply the lessons we are taught, especially about cassava. Today, our fellow villager Mesozi will tell us how she has benefited from applying knowledge she received about cassava from the Agricultural Officer! Mesozi, please!
2. MESOZI:
(SHYLY) Thanks, chairperson, and my fellow villagers, for giving me the opportunity to share with you my experience with cassava.
3. VILLAGERS:
APPLAUSE
4. MESOZI:
(HAPPILY) I decided to base my farming on cassava. Cassava is my main crop because cassava has everything!
5. VILLAGERS:
APPLAUSE
6. MESOZI:
Listen, my friends! You can easily process cassava in one day and get high-quality cassava flour. From high-quality cassava flour, you can make buns, chapattis, cakes, biscuits and many other things. My family makes these things and earns money selling them. My children are strong because they eat nutritious cassava porridge.
You can make cassava chips, roast cassava with charcoal – you can prepare cassava in many ways. If we make many different products, we will make more money than if we sell raw cassava just as it is.
So my prosperity comes directly from cassava … remember that! Cassava is not just a hunger crop! Cassava is also for making a good income! Thanks!
You can make cassava chips, roast cassava with charcoal – you can prepare cassava in many ways. If we make many different products, we will make more money than if we sell raw cassava just as it is.
So my prosperity comes directly from cassava … remember that! Cassava is not just a hunger crop! Cassava is also for making a good income! Thanks!
7. VILLAGERS:
APPLAUSE
EPISODE 38
DURATION
1 ½ MINUTES
TITLE
HOW TO FIND MARKETS FOR CASSAVA AND CASSAVA PRODUCTS
CAST
MESOZI AND MANDINGA
LOCATION
AT MESOZI’S HOME. INSIDE. DAYTIME.
SFX
COW MOOING IN BACKGROUND
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR CASSAVA STORY! AKILI HERE WITH YOU AGAIN TODAY. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR CHARACTERS TODAY? MANDIGA HAS A SUCCESSFUL ROASTED AND FRIED CASSAVA BUSINESS. MESOZI ADVISES HER TO FIND A BIGGER MARKET. DO YOU THINK MANDIGA WILL ACCEPT MESOZI’S ADVICE? FOR THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, STAY TUNED.
1. MANDIGA:
(SOUND OF POURING TEA)Thanks for the tea, Mesozi!
2. MESOZI:
Mmm … Mandiga, how is your cassava business?
3. MANDIGA:
It is doing well! I have many customers. Every day when I roast and fry my cassava, I sell them all! (PAUSE) Why do you ask?
4. MESOZI:
That is good, Mandiga. You need to find a bigger market, I suggest!
5. MANDIGA:
(LAUGHS) A bigger market? How would I find a bigger market? (TEASING) Do you think the Agricultural Officer is going to help me find a market as he has been helping you?
6. MESOZI:
(CALMLY, NOT REACTING TO THE TEASING) No no no, Mandiga … you have to go yourself. You take well-packaged and labelled cassava and go to different shops.
7. MANDIGA:
(IRRITABLY) You are still trying to teach me things. Why? Am I just a little girl?
8.MESOZO:
(CALMLY) Of course not, Mandiga. But I was taught things, and it’s my responsibility to help people in any way I can. (PAUSE) So, if you want a bigger market, just go in our village and in the town; you just go to the different shops and supermarkets and show them your products!
9. MANDIGA:
(REVEALING HER HEART) Listen, Mesozi … If you are together with Kumdidimo in everything you do, why shouldn’t I work with the Agricultural Officer … or is he not good enough?
10. MESOZI:
(AMAZED STAMMER) W-W-Wait … stop … Mandiga … You love him?
11. NARRATOR:
MESOZI HAS ADVISED HER FRIEND MANDIGA TO EXPAND HER BUSINESS BY FINDING MORE MARKETS. BUT IT SEEMS THAT MANDIGA’S REAL DREAM IS TO GET CLOSER TO THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER! WE’RE GETTING NEAR THE END OF OUR DRAMA … TO SEE HOW IT ALL TURNS OUT, REMEMBER TO TUNE IN FOR THE NEXT EPISODE!
EPISODE 39
DURATION:
2 MINUTES
TITLE
FINDING MARKETS FOR YOUR CASSAVA
CAST
MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO
LOCATION
KUMDIDIMO’S HOME. INSIDE. LUNCH TIME.
SFX
COW MOOING IN THE BACKGROUND
NARRATOR:
WELCOME BACK TO OUR CASSAVA STORY, THE ROOT OF LIFE! I’M AKILI, YOUR GUIDE, BUT EVEN I’M WONDERING WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TODAY! MESOZI ADVISED MANDIGA HOW TO ACCESS MARKETS FOR CASSAVA PRODUCTS. TODAY SHE IS AT KUMDIDIMO’S HOUSE … WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO SHARE? HOW ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP? FOR THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, STAY TUNED.
SFX
FADE IN EATING AND TALKING QUIETLY
1. MESOZI:
(AS SHE SWALLOWS) Kumdidimo, wow! This food is delicious!
2. KUMDIDIMO:
(SHYLY WHILE EATING) You are welcome!
3. MESOZI:
I like this dish today …
4. KUMDIDIMO:
Mesozi (PAUSE), you know how I care about you …
5. MESOZI:
(BREATHES DEEP AND STOPS EATING) I appreciate that, Kumdidimo. (PAUSE THEN CHANGES SUBJECT) Kumdidimo, I made my starch but I haven’t found a market for it.… Do you know anybody who could buy it?
6. KUMDIDIMO:
(CONTINUES EATING) Mesozi, always remember: Find the market first, then process the cassava. Or else you may find it difficult to sell your products.
7. MESOZI:
Yes, but what will I do with my starch?
8. KUMDIDIMO:
I’m here for you, don’t worry … I have a big order for starch from the pharmaceutical factory that I visited yesterday.
9. MESOZI:
(HAPPILY) So you will take my starch and combine it with yours?
10. KUMDIDIMO:
(STRONG AND CLEAR) Yes! (PAUSE) And next time we will go together to find markets in town!
11. MESOZI:
(HAPPILY) Even Mandiga wants to go with her love, the Agricultural Officer …
12. KUMDIDIMO:
(SURPRISED) What?? I mean, I know she told us she was marrying him … but I thought she was just saying that because she was jealous and didn’t want to feel left out. (QUIETLY) So Mandiga really is in love with … No! Come on, Mesozi, you’re not serious! (BOTH LAUGH)
13. NARRATOR:
KUMDIDIMO PROMISED TO INCLUDE MESOZI’S CASSAVA STARCH IN HIS BIG STARCH ORDER. AND NOW HE KNOWS ABOUT MANDIGA’S INTEREST IN THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICER! HOW WILL KUMDIDIMO REACT? AND WILL MESOZI FINALLY RESPOND TO KUMDIDIMO’S FEELINGS? DON’T YOU DARE MISS OUR NEXT AND FINAL EPISODE!
EPISODE 40
DURATION
3 MINUTES
TITLE
APPROPRIATE PACKAGING FOR HIGH QUALITY CASSAVA FLOUR
CAST
MESOZI, KUMDIDIMO, MANDIGA, AGRICULTURAL OFFICER
LOCATION
AT THE MARKET. OUTSIDE. DAYTIME.
SFX
SOUNDS OF MARKET
NARRATOR:
GREETINGS AGAIN FROM AKILI. MESOZI AND KUMDIDIMO HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR MORE MARKETS FOR THEIR CASSAVA PRODUCTS! AND THEY HAVE GOOD NEWS! BUT WHO KNOWS WHICH OTHER CHARACTERS WE MIGHT MEET TODAY IN THIS, OUR FINAL EPISODE? HERE WE GO!
1. KUMDIDIMO:
(HAPPILY) Well done, Mesozi … you did a great job with marketing today. Especially at that shop where they ordered ten more products! You are very clever!
2. MESOZI:
It is not a matter of being clever. It’s because I’m confident the products are high quality and have good packaging. So many people have good products … but the problem is how the product is packaged to attract the customer.
SFX
SOUND OF DOOR OPENING AND MARKET SOUNDS, AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE SHOP INTO THE MARKET STREET
3. KUMDIDIMO:
(ROMANTICALY) I agree with that, Mesozi … it’s probably the packaging. (PAUSE) But I think that this is the right time to tell you that I love you!
SFX
SHOCKED SILENCE FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN …
4. MESOZI:
Mandiga, is that you?
5. MANDIGA:
(COMING ON-MIC. COUGHING. SEEMS UPSET BUT SPEAKING QUICKLY, SOUNDS LIKE SHE’S ABOUT TO CRY, SOME WORDS ARE STAMMERED) Hello, Mesozi. Hello, Kumdidimo … I heard what you said. It’s true that packaging attracts the customer, as well as good labels that show where the product is made … (ON-MIC) … and you should always give your contact information! Then anyone who wants your product can get it easily through your contact … Look at Mesozi, she is pretty, she has good packaging, you might say. But she has no husband … and you divorced your wife … what are you both waiting for? (ON THE EDGE OF TEARS AND SPEAKING QUICKLY) Now, you don’t have to worry about me … because, even though I am not going to marry the Agricultural Officer like I pretended (SOB), that’s ok. I am not lonely … I will just have more time to do my … (CRYING) my … my … cassava business … (A LITTLE BITTERLY) I don’t want to get married anyway …
6. AG OFFICER:
(CLEARING HIS THROAT. HE HAS QUIETLY WALKED UP BEHIND HER) Well, I for one would like to get married! I have wanted to get married since the first moment I saw you, Mandiga.
SFX
SILENCE AS MANDIGA IS COMPLETELY SPEECHLESS FOR A FEW SECONDS
7. MANDIGA:
(AS IF SHE CAN’T BELIEVE IT) Oh … Agricultural Officer … Are you … are you sure … I mean … I mean … (ALMOST SHOUTING, HAPPILY) Yes, I will.
SFX
EVERYBODY LAUGHS
8. MESOZI:
(MORE QUIETLY) And I will too, Kumdidimo. (VERY HAPPY) Mandiga, we have can a double wedding!!
SFX
HAPPY LAUGHTER AND CHEERING
NARRATOR:
WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT? WHAT CASSAVA HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER, MAY NO-ONE BREAK APART! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BRIDES AND GROOMS! AND DON’T FORGET! IF YOU WANT A GOOD MARKET, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD PACKAGING AND LABEL YOUR PACKAGE WELL!
WE SAW HOW KUMDIDIMO AND MESOZI AND MANDIGA BENEFITED THROUGH CASSAVA … WHAT ABOUT YOU? … CONTACT US HERE AT THE STATION TO FIND OUT ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CASSAVA, THE ROOT OF LIFE. OK, I HAVE TO GO NOW. THEY’RE PLANNING THE WEDDING! HMMM … HOW ABOUT A NICE CASSAVA FLOUR WEDDING CAKE?
FADE OUT SFX OF MARKET
(PAUSE) THIS IS AKILI, YOUR NARRATOR, THANKING YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE ROOT OF LIFE. IT’S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO KUMDIDIMO, MESOZI, MANDIGA AND ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS. I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY, MAYBE LAUGHED AND NODDED KNOWINGLY AT OUR CHARACTERS’ CRAZY BEHAVIOUR! AND I HOPE YOU HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP YOUR FARMING AND YOUR LIFE. IT’S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO GUIDE YOU IN THIS JOURNEY. BUT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END AND NOW I MUST TAKE MY LEAVE. GOODBYE AND BEST OF LUCK FROM ALL OF US HERE.
WE SAW HOW KUMDIDIMO AND MESOZI AND MANDIGA BENEFITED THROUGH CASSAVA … WHAT ABOUT YOU? … CONTACT US HERE AT THE STATION TO FIND OUT ALL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CASSAVA, THE ROOT OF LIFE. OK, I HAVE TO GO NOW. THEY’RE PLANNING THE WEDDING! HMMM … HOW ABOUT A NICE CASSAVA FLOUR WEDDING CAKE?
FADE OUT SFX OF MARKET
(PAUSE) THIS IS AKILI, YOUR NARRATOR, THANKING YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE ROOT OF LIFE. IT’S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO KUMDIDIMO, MESOZI, MANDIGA AND ALL THE OTHER CHARACTERS. I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY, MAYBE LAUGHED AND NODDED KNOWINGLY AT OUR CHARACTERS’ CRAZY BEHAVIOUR! AND I HOPE YOU HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP YOUR FARMING AND YOUR LIFE. IT’S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO GUIDE YOU IN THIS JOURNEY. BUT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END AND NOW I MUST TAKE MY LEAVE. GOODBYE AND BEST OF LUCK FROM ALL OF US HERE.
SFX
FADE IN SOUND OF THE FOUR CHARACTERS TALKING AND LAUGHING AMIDST THE SOUNDS OF THE MARKET. FADE OUT AFTER 15 SECONDS.
END
END
Information sources
Further references and information on cassava
As these AgTips show, cassava is easy to grow and tolerates drought and heat well. For many years, its popularity had waned and many people, especially urban dwellers, thought of cassava as a crop to be eaten only in desperate times. In short, cassava had an image problem. But in Tanzania, for example, efforts have been made to promote cassava as a cash crop, and not just as a food security crop. National projects, extensive research and activities such as “National Cassava Week” have all aimed to improve the image and popularity of cassava as a healthy and “climate-smart” food choice. Recent research shows that cassava may be an important crop in the future. Scientists predict that, if temperatures in Africa rise as expected, cassava will outperform other staples. According to researchers, if diseases such as wilt, cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease can be successfully tackled, cassava will become one of the best “climate change resilient” crops. This is a good reason to promote cassava in regions where rainfall is becoming less predictable, and where AgTips can contribute to these efforts. For more information on this research, see:
-Africa: Cassava Could Help Farmers Cope With Climate Change – Study http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281289.html and
-Africa: ‘Rambo Root’ Could Beat Climate Change – Study: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281304.html
On the AgFax site, you can hear and download a recent audio file called “Cassava the drought beater”: http://www.agfax.net/radio/detail.php?i=445
In addition, scientists are constantly working to develop disease-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties. The two main cassava diseases in Tanzania are cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic virus. New disease-resistant varieties have recently been released in Tanzania. See: http://in2eastafrica.net/tanzania-new-disease-resistant-cassava-varieties-released/
Read the press release from IITA:
-New cassava varieties that withstand deadly viral diseases released in Tanzania: http://bit.ly/ZKXzmm
Cassava in the news
Some countries, such as Nigeria, are actively promoting cassava in processed products:
-Jonathan to Nigerians: Eat Cassava bread: http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/44870-jonathan-to-nigerians-eat-cassava-bread-confectioneries.html
Zimbabwe and Rwanda have also recently unveiled investments to promote cassava:
Zimbabwe: Delta finance cassava farming: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/national-report/12421-delta-finances-cassava-farming.html
Rwanda: Rwf 6billion cassava factory opens: http://allafrica.com/stories/201204170187.html
SAB Miller has developed a beer made from cassava in Mozambique (http://allafrica.com/stories/201111020754.html), and has recently announced plans to expand its operations in Africa: http://thecitizen.co.tz/magazines/31-business-week/21624-brewer-to-invest-25bn-in-five-years.html
And in other news:
-DRC Cassava farmers reap rewards from new methods http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/04/drc-cassava-farmers-reap-rewards-from-new-methods/
-Tanzania: From crisis to opportunity with cassava http://weekly.farmradio.org/2012/04/02/tanzania-from-crisis-to-opportunity-with-cassava-by-farm-radio-weekly-in-tanzania/
More information on cassava
The following links offer more background and technical information on cassava:
-A website about a cassava project established by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Nigeria: http://www.cassavabiz.org/index.asp
-Agronomic characteristics, with variety lists, pest and disease management and many photos: http://www.infonet-biovision.org/default/ct/114/crops
Cassava can be processed into many food products. Once cassava flour has been made, it can be processed into cakes, pancakes, bread, pastry products and donuts. Read more here: http://practicalaction.org/cassava-processing
We acknowledge the technical assistance of Mary Mtoi and Mohamed Majani, cassava farmers from Mkulima, Tanzania; Upendo Mndeme, Ministry of Agriculture; and John Msemo from Kibaha Agricultural Research Institute, in developing these AgTips.