admin | November 9, 2015
This week’s story from Zimbabwe deals with post-harvest losses. A few years ago, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimated that anywhere between 15 and 50 per cent of food harvested in developing countries, including African countries, is lost.
There are many ways in which food is lost or spoiled, including: harvesting too early or late; exposure to rain, drought and extreme temperatures; and pest and disease damage. Marketable yield is also reduced by spillage, crop damage from tools, chemical contamination, and rough handling during harvesting, loading, packing, and transportation.
These losses have serious impacts, the most direct being hunger.
This script offers seven story ideas for programs on crop storage. Each story idea is accompanied by suggestions for local research, and a few resources which may help you understand the issue and prepare radio programs. You can follow up programs on crop storage with panel discussions, guest interviews, or audience participation by phone, text-in, or live in the studio.