FRW news in brief

    | August 18, 2014

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    1-Senegal: Cattle tracking technology

    Cattle rustling, or raiding, is a common problem for herders in sub-Saharan Africa.

    But now, rural Senegalese farmers will be able to keep track of their cattle with radio frequency identification tags and mobile phones.

    The new cattle-tracking technology is designed to deter cattle rustlers.

    To read the full article, go to: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28399336

    2-Sierra Leone: Radio public service announcements counter misinformation about Ebola virus

    The Ebola virus continues to claim lives in West Africa.

    BBC Media Action has produced a series of eight public service announcements, or PSAs, which will air on 30 local radio stations in Sierra Leone.

    The PSAs provide information on prevention, symptoms, and the importance of not eating bush meat. They also seek to dispel myths about the spread of the disease.

    To read the full article, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcmediaaction/posts/Using-radio-to-respond-to-Ebola-in-Sierra-Leone-

    3-Kenya: Harvesting rainwater with rock outcroppings

    Residents of Mutomo, a trading centre in eastern Kenya, used to trek over 100 kilometres to fetch water. But now, rock outcrops are being used to create a water harvesting and supply system.

    In a rock catchment, rainwater running off rock surfaces flows down to a reservoir sited below the catchment area via long channels of flat rocks cemented onto the rock surface.

    Since 2009, Mutomo has built 40 rock catchment reservoirs. Recently, they introduced tilapia to the reservoirs to help the community feed itself. Despite suffering from poor rainfall, the villagers now have enough water to sustain themselves until the next rainy season.

    To read the full article, go to: http://www.trust.org/item/20140728134036-1wlc9/?source=jtOtherNews2