Notes to broadcasters: Cassava

    | June 3, 2013

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    Cassava is the third-largest source of carbohydrates – also called starches − in the world. It is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. Cassava is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, and capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava. For more information, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassava

    Once the farmer in the story had identified his market and found land to grow his cassava, he made a good profit. The following Farm Radio International resources may serve as inspiration for a radio program about cassava:

    Scripts:

    -Farmers experiment and discover: You can store cassava (Package 58, Script 9, January 2001) http://www.farmradio.org/radio-resource-packs/package-58-the-importance-of-millet/farmers-experiment-and-discover-you-can-store-cassava/

    -Woman farmer invents a cassava grinder (Package 49, Script 9, June 1998) http://www.farmradio.org/radio-resource-packs/package-49-the-power-of-co-operatives/woman-farmer-invents-a-cassava-grinder/

    -Plant high quality cassava cuttings (Package 37, Script 1, July 1995) http://www.farmradio.org/radio-resource-packs/package-37/plant-high-quality-cassava-cuttings/

    Farm Radio Weekly stories:

    -“Tanzania: Youth abandon mining to grow cassava” (FRW 23, January 2013) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2013/01/28/tanzania-youth-abandon-mining-to-grow-cassava-by-susuma-susuma-for-farm-radio-weekly-in-tanzania/

    -“Côte d’Ivoire: Women gain economic independence with new cassava varieties“ (FRW #219, October 2012) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2012/10/09/cote-d%e2%80%99ivoire-women-gain-economic-independence-with-new-cassava-varieties-ips/

    -“Tanzania: From crisis to opportunity with cassava “ (FRW 195, April 2012) http://weekly.farmradio.org/2012/04/02/tanzania-from-crisis-to-opportunity-with-cassava-by-farm-radio-weekly-in-tanzania/

    -“Uganda: Cassava Brown Streak Disease threatens yields “ (FRW 113, May 2010)  http://weekly.farmradio.org/2010/05/31/1-uganda-cassava-brown-streak-disease-threatens-yields-irin-new-vision/

    If you broadcast to a cassava growing area, you might want to produce a program focusing on one or two aspects of the crop. You could examine how farmers cope with disease, or whether cassava is a good cash crop. Or you could look at whether cassava has an “image problem” that causes people to prefer other staples like maize or rice. Try to talk to farmers and consumers as well as market traders and NGO or extension staff.