Nelly Bassily | December 21, 2009
There are many examples of resourceful farmers and community groups taking something that is considered “waste” and turning it into something useful – and even profitable. Earlier this year, FRW looked at how farmers in Nigeria are transforming cassava scraps into goat feed: “Cassava ‘waste’ is good food for goats”, and how Ugandan farmers are turning banana peels into chicken feed: “Community group turns banana peels into inexpensive animal feed”. FRW also explored how urban farmers in Kampala collect household scraps and transform them into compost: “Turning trash into treasure,” and how banana peels are being turned into an innovative fuel source: “Handmade banana briquettes could replace firewood.”
The following program ideas may help you explore how people in your area are putting food scraps or other “waste” products to good use:
-Host a call-in/text-in show in which listeners share ways they have put food scraps to use.
-Prepare a news story about an innovative farmer who uses food scraps as feed.
-Record a field interview with a farmer who offers a step-by-step guide on how to compost food scraps.
-Invite farmers or other experts to an on-air discussion of the many uses of food scraps. Allow time for listeners to call in with questions.
For more information on compost, see the following Farm Radio International scripts:
–Farmers can earn income producing compost (Package 80, Script 3, March 2007)
–Dr. Compost talks about compost piles (Package 61, Script 6, October 2001)
–Make compost in pits (Package 61, Script 7, October 2001)
–Make compost as your vegetables grow (Package 47, Script 1, January 1998)
–You can make compost in two to three weeks (Package 47, Script 2, January 1998)
–Where to find compost materials (Package 33, Script 9, July 1994)
You may also be interested in these Farm Radio scripts, which provide more examples of alternative feed sources for livestock:
–Trees provide fodder for livestock (Package 74, Script 5, March 2005)
–Alternative feeds for poultry and pigs (Package 51, Script 5, February 1999)
–A farmer practices zero-grazing (Package 51, Script 3, February 1999)
–Groundnut (peanut) hay is good feed in the dry season (Package 34, Script 10, October 1994)
–Improve straw for livestock feed (Package 34, Script 4, October 1994)
–Good cow feed for all seasons (Package 30, Script 6, October 1993)