Resource Pack 76
"The United Nations (UN) has designated 2006 as the Year of Desertification, marking ten years since the UN Convention to Combat Desertification came into force. Poverty is a main contributor to environmental degradation. Two-thirds of African lands are vulnerable to desertification and over 70% of African agricultural drylands are already degraded, making Africa the continent most severely affected by desertification."
Resource Pack 74
Through years of practiced observation farmers have developed traditional ways to forecast environmental changes. By using indicators such as the flowering time of certain trees, the direction and speed of the winds, and even insect behaviour, farmers monitor and predict changes in their surroundings. These types of ‘grassroots indicators’ are often an informal early warning system for drought and desertification.
Resource Pack 73
The impact of HIV and AIDS on food production and rural households in sub-Saharan Africa is undeniable. AIDS generally hits people in their most productive years, between the ages of 15 and 49. People become too sick to farm and feed themselves and their families. Significant losses in food production also result from deaths in families, and time taken to attend funerals and other mourning rituals.
Resource Pack 72
The eleven scripts published in the September 2004 package cover different aspects of pest control: everything from deciding when an insect becomes a pest, to possible solutions to weed and insect pests in certain crops, and the potential dangers of applying chemical pesticides. The messages woven throughout the scripts are similar: learn about pests; use that knowledge to decide what control methods to use; use many different methods at the same time; and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides.
Resource Pack 71
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we decided to canvass our partners directly to help set the theme for the June package. We were surprised how many responses we received requesting information about specific crops, as well as water management and rainwater harvesting techniques. It seems fitting that our anniversary package represents somewhat of a return to our “roots”: providing simple, affordable and sustainable farming techniques and water harvesting solutions that will help to increase food security.
Resource Pack 70
The five radio scripts sent to partners with this newsletter are produced from previously published Network material. They focus on different aspects of women’s contribution to food production and good nutrition, and are intended to stimulate discussion about the vital role that women play as farmers, food providers, and caretakers of their families and communities.
Resource Pack 69
Radio plays a vital role in raising awareness of global issues. It also has tremendous power in shaping children’s lives. As a broadcaster, you can help to advance child development by producing documentaries and dramas that teach and entertain, and help make a world fit for children.
Resource Pack 68
The scripts in this package present farmer success stories, examples of experimental methods and information about the importance of protecting traditional knowledge.
Resource Pack 67
Most communities are affected by conflict of some kind. Your community may not be affected by armed conflict, but it is probably affected by local disputes. For example, many communities are involved in conflict over natural resources, such as land or water. Broadcasters have a role to play in conflict prevention, analysis, resolution and rebuilding. Following are some of the issues that are important to discuss on your radio programs to help your listeners, especially farmers and refugees, address and overcome conflict.