Issue #194

We start this issue by sending a message of support to our broadcasting partners, staff and their families in Mali. We are thinking of you and hoping you are all safe during this difficult time of political unrest.

This week we present two stories about farmers who have tried something different and seen the benefits. It is not always easy to change our ways, and, for farmers especially, some encouragement is needed that the new method is worth the risk.

From Burkina Faso, we hear from farmers who have tried adding “microdoses” of chemical fertilizer to planting holes at planting time. They have seen huge increases in yields and are understandably happy. We also hear the other side of the story – one farmer did not have the means to try microdosing, and is now facing a food shortage.

Our second story is from Burundi where some coffee farmers are now growing mushrooms. They have quickly learned this new skill, and have formed groups to help with accessing information and markets. This new opportunity is a good alternative to relying on declining coffee yields from aged coffee bushes.

Our script of the week is chosen from our most recent script package. It focuses on compost making and is based on Farm Radio International’s Participatory Radio Campaign activities in Ghana.

-The Farm Radio Weekly team

Tags: Ghana, mushroom

2 Comments - Post your comment »

Amidou Kafando is a farmer in Loumbila, 25 kilometres from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Mr. Kafando is happy. Despite the lack of rainfall, he has enough maize and millet to feed his family of 15 until the next harvest. This is not true for all farmers in Loumbila. Mr. Kafando owes his good yield to the practise of fertilizer microdosing. He has been using this technique for two years.

The soil is not fertile in M. Kafando’s region. But microdosing has allowed him to increase his yield while keeping his input costs affordable.  He explains that before the microdose, he could not harvest more than 200 kilograms of millet on one hectare.  His harvests did not allow him to fulfill his needs for the year. Now, he can harvest 800 kilograms of millet from one hectare.

Mahamoudou Sinaré is a farmer in Nagréongo, a neighboring town. His yields have also increased since he started microdosing his fields. He says: “From one hectare we harvested fifteen 100 kilogram bags of millet. Yet when the fertilizer was not used well, it was difficult to have 20 bags from three hectares. ”

Microdosing is a technique that uses minimal chemical fertilizer for maximum effect. Instead of spreading fertilizer across the entire field, farmers place a small amount  in each seed hole before planting. This significantly reduces the amount of fertilizer used.  But it demands extra labour, as farmers must place fertilizer in the individual planting holes.

Around 130,000 farm households throughout Burkina Faso use the technique. Each year, farmers attend a training  on microdosing organized by AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa). Facilitators teach farmers how to use the technique on test farms.

The satisfaction of farmers who use microdosing contrasts with the dismay of those who do not. Loumbila and Nagréongo received insufficient rains in the 2010-2011 growing season. Many farmers are facing food shortages. Ablassé Kafando is one of them. He also farms in Loumbila, but he did not use the microdose technique. He explains: “With one hectare of sorghum, I harvested around 200 kg. Because of financial difficulties, I have not been able to acquire enough fertilizer to use the micro-dose technique. But I also doubted it would work.” The practice of microdosing reduces input costs for some farmers, but a 100 kilogram bag of chemical fertilizer still costs 35 US dollars. This is too costly for many small-scale farmers.

The recent increase in chemical fertilizer prices has put this input out of reach for many farmers. But Amidou Kafando has a suggestion. He and two of his brothers pool their cash to buy inputs. They share the fertilizer in equal parts among them. He says, “The microdosing has helped increase our yields. But without this arrangement, we would have had difficulties.”

Post your comment »

Thomas Miburo is a farmer living in Kabarore in northern Burundi. He used to grow coffee but he now finds happiness in the cultivation of edible mushrooms. His life has improved since he made the switch. With the money he makes from selling mushrooms, Mr. Miburo can buy the things he needs. He explains: “I never miss soap. I can buy fish or meat to eat with fufu (mashed cassava).”

Mr. Miburo is not the only one who is content with the results of mushroom cultivation. Juvénal Nyandwi also grows mushrooms. He purchased three goats and a bicycle after growing mushrooms for eight months. These farmers first learned about growing mushrooms in November 2010. It was introduced by a local NGO known as ADISCO.

Libère Bukobero is a coordinator with ADISCO. He explains the swift and impressive success of the producers: “The mushroom does not require a large area [to grow]. Its growth cycle is short  and farmers are usually assured of a good harvest.”  He says that one kilogram of mushroom spores can produce 12 kilograms of mushrooms within two months. Farmers can start to harvest after three weeks, when the first mushrooms are ready. In the local market, a kilo sells for between one a half and two and half US dollars.

In this border region with Rwanda, coffee used to provide the bulk of  farmers’ incomes. But the coffee bushes date back to colonial times. They produce little because they are old. In comparison, mushroom production is easy and does not require much space. Wary of mushrooms, producers had to be convinced.  That’s because, in the past, people had been poisoned by mushrooms. There were also local beliefs to overcome.  Some farmers believed you should never touch mushrooms.

Sebastien Nzeyimana is one of the farmers who took part in the training. He has joined with other farmers and they now produce mushrooms as a group. He says, “Apart from the collective land, each member received six chunks of the propagation material which they use to grow their own mushrooms.” Gradually more and more producer associations are born. They share information on spores (from which mushrooms grow), cultivation techniques and about the group. Producers do not regret changing crops from coffee to mushrooms.

Mushrooms are a healthy food with high nutritional value. Nutritionists say they are a complete food because they contain minerals, salts, proteins, and vitamins A, B, and D.  They sell well in Bujumbura, the capital. Mr. Miburo sums up the advantages of mushrooms for him, saying, ” It is an alternative crop in this region where the scarcity of land discourages any agricultural activity. We grow mushrooms inside our homes or on strips of land outside.”

Post your comment »

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has been promoting microdosing in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger (see Script 79.4 below). ICRISAT defines microdosing as “the application of small, affordable quantities of fertilizer with the seed at planting time or as top dressing 3 to 4 weeks after emergence.” This process is very precise. It is in contrast to spreading chemical fertilizer across entire fields. Many farmers cannot afford to buy chemical fertilizer in the amount recommended by researchers, so this technique enables them to make the most of the amount of fertilizer that they are able to access. ICRISAT has focused research on microdosing with chemical fertilizers – farmers could also test this practice using compost.

In West Africa, farmers found a labour-saving method for microdosing. While one farmer walks through the field making planting holes, a second follows him or her with two vessels: one with the seed and the other with fertilizer. The second farmer plants the seed, adds a three-finger pinch of fertilizer, and pushes the soil over the hole with his feet.

Farmers’ experiences and recent research have shown that, when carefully applied, small doses of inorganic/chemical fertilizer can have a strongly positive effect on crop yields. Together with extensive use of organic materials and efforts to conserve soil and water, inorganic fertilizer in small amounts can be a useful input.

For more information from ICRISAT visit:

http://blog.icrisat.org/miracles-with-fertilizer-microdosing

Here is a full case study from ICRISAT, as a pdf file: http://www.icrisat.org/impacts/impact-stories/icrisat-is-fertilizer-microdosing.pdf

Farm Radio International has produced a number of scripts on different fertilization techniques. Browse our archive at: http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/fertilization.asp

This issue pack on soil health also contains a lot of background information on how to get the best from your soil:

http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/91-9script_en.asp

Here is one script which presents micro-dosing in detail:

Micro-doses of Fertilizer Increase Yields in the Sahel (Package 79, Script 4, November 2006) http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/79-4script_en.asp

While most farmers who have tried microdosing are in West Africa, this simple technique could be used in any region. Visit your local agricultural research station to see if they have done any work on this, or know of anyone who uses the technique.

You could introduce the technique to farmers and get their opinions: Is it cost effective? Will it be difficult to implement? Will it mean a lot of extra work? Which other fertilization methods would they prefer to use?  Which other fertilization methods do they currently use? Would these methods work alongside each other? Would microdosing with compost work? Has anyone tried this?

Post your comment »

Mushroom cultivation is becoming more popular. Farmers are coming to appreciate that mushrooms are easy to grow, need little space, and can yield good harvests and profits. Consumers enjoy them in a variety of dishes and appreciate their health benefits. Many stories about mushroom growers, like the one we feature this week, show that it is a technique which most people have to learn from the beginning – it is new to them. But the success stories show that it can be mastered, and farmers can benefit, if the necessary inputs and markets are available.

Here are some technical documents and stories of further experiences with growing mushrooms in Africa:

http://www.maendeleo-atf.org/Documents/matf_mushrooms.pdf

http://practicalaction.org/mushroom-growing

http://www.new-ag.info/03-3/develop/dev04.html

AgFax has produced a number of audio pieces on mushrooms for download. At this link you will find one audio piece, with a full transcript, about women’s groups in The Gambia who grow mushrooms. It is called “Making room for mushrooms”:  http://www.agfax.net/radio/detail.php?i=357&s=b

This Farm Radio International script is adapted from an interview broadcast by Classic FM Radio in Ghana. The guest discusses his experience with his new mushroom growing business.

-Mushrooms for Sale (Package 68, Script 4, September 2003) http://www.farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/68-4script_en.asp

Here are some recent stories from Farm Radio Weekly, all of which tell the stories of successful mushroom producers:

-Kenya: Radio interview with woman mushroom farmer inspires others to grow mushrooms (FRW 188, February 2012) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2012/02/13/kenya-radio-interview-with-woman-mushroom-farmer-inspires-others-to-grow-mushrooms-by-sawa-pius-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-kenya/

-Uganda: Making money with mushrooms (FRW 167, August 2011) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2011/08/08/uganda-making-money-with-mushrooms-spore/

-Uganda: Mulago Positive Women’s Network discovers potential of mushroom cultivation

(FRW  57, March 2009) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2009/03/02/2-uganda-mulago-positive-women%E2%80%99s-network-discovers-potential-of-mushroom-cultivation-written-by-joshua-kyalimpa-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-kampala-uganda/

You could produce a special program or spot dedicated to exploring mushroom cultivation. First, find out how common it is in your broadcast region. Visit markets and stores and ask where they source the mushrooms they sell. Or you could ask NGOs, research stations, or the local government. These enquiries may lead you to farmers who grow mushrooms. By interviewing some farmers and talking to stores and vendors, you can develop an interesting program which looks at opportunities for growing and selling mushrooms in your community.

Post your comment »

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists is now accepting applications from journalists in developing countries to cover the United Nations General Assembly in September, 2012. The opportunity is open to radio, television, print, and online journalists. Applicants must work full-time for a media organization and have their employer’s approval to spend up to two months in New York, U.S.A.

Applicants must have a passion for international affairs and want to better their audience’s understanding of the United Nations. Four journalists are selected each year.

The Fund is not considering applications from China, Ethiopia, India, and Nigeria this year, in order to rotate recipient countries. Journalists from these countries can apply in 2013.

The application deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012.

For more information and to apply: http://unjournalismfellowship.org/node/660.

1 Comment - Post your comment »

This guide is for broadcasters interested in creating engaging debates on air. “Getting it Right: A Journalists’ Guide to Conducting Community Radio Debate” explains how to plan a radio debate, covering the editorial process, how to choose participants, and the role of a moderator.

The guide focuses on Uganda, but chapter three is relevant for all broadcasters. It emphasizes the importance of the role of the journalist in creating and shaping the agenda for debate on community radio.

To access the guide: http://www.panosea.org/resources/publications/RRD%20Debate%20Guide%20full%20Doc%20A5.pdf

2 Comments - Post your comment »

There is a unique opportunity for residents of Zambia to learn the ins and outs of Web 2.0 applications. The In Service Training Trust, in partnership with The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation EU-ACP (CTA), will host a course, called Web 2.0 Learning Opportunities, at the NRDC Campus in Chelstone, Lusaka, Zambia.

There will be three opportunities to take the course, in April, May, and June, where 25 participants will be accepted for each one. The deadline to apply for the April 16-20^th course is March 25, 2012. The deadline for the May 14-18^th course is April 15, 2012, and, finally, the deadline for the June 11-15^th course is May 13, 2012.

For more details and to apply: http://www.web2fordev.net/component/content/article/1-latest-news/156-web2lo-istt-zam

Post your comment »

Farm Radio International very often submits proposals for funding for new projects. Last week, our ICT and Radio Specialist, Bart Sullivan, found a funding opportunity which suits Farm Radio International’s latest idea for supporting African radio stations. Bart is proposing new ways for radio stations to share information and content on a cloud-based platform. Farm Radio International has submitted the idea to the Knight News Challenge, an international media innovation contest, calling it:

“Radio commons: Cloud-based telephony apps and content sharing for African radio stations.”

Please take a moment to read the proposal (it is only 400 words long!) and leave a comment or click the “like” button. If we can get the visible support of African radio broadcasters, it will assist our proposal and increase our chances of funding. The five entries with the most activity in terms of comments or “likes” will be advanced to the semi-finals.

Follow this link! Many thanks!

http://bit.ly/fri_knight_news_frw

3 Comments - Post your comment »

As a complement to our story on microdosing, our script of the week looks at another method for improving soils. It is based on experiences during Farm Radio International Participatory Radio Campaigns in Ghana. Radio Ada, a rural community radio station in the eastern part of the country, implemented a series of programs encouraging farmers adopt the practice of fertilizing their crops with compost.

This script shows how farmers and radio stations can collaborate to produce and present programs for the benefit of both. Farmers took part in the radio programs, giving interviews on air and providing lots of feedback. They were also given the opportunity to compare the cost of using chemical fertilizer to the cost of using compost. The end result was good yields and increased soil conservation – and a great script!

http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/94-5script_en.asp

1 Comment - Post your comment »