Zimbabwean farmers opt for traditional crops to mitigate climate impacts

STORY: Zimbabwean farmers opt for traditional crops to mitigate climate impacts DATELINE: Oct. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: Harare CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of food sold by local citizens 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Shona): SARAH KAMHUNGA, Farmer 3. various of food sold by local citizens 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PATIENCE SHUMBA, Program officer, Zimbabwe Small-Holder Organic Farmers Forum 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): HILDA MANDITSVARA, Crop production specialist, Department of Agritex, Ministry of Agriculture 6. various of food sold by local citizens STORYLINE: The 2023 Zimbabwe National Food and Seed Festival concluded on Saturday in the capital city Harare. Farmers brought organic seeds to the two-day fair. In Zimbabwe, some farmers are shifting back to planting traditional crops such as millet and sorghum which are more drought-tolerant. SOUNDBITE 1 (Shona): SARAH KAMHUNGA, Farmer "When we adopted traditional small grains, we were satisfied because we could harvest enough grain to consume and sh

Chinese Juncao technology contributes to global poverty alleviation

STORY: Chinese Juncao technology contributes to global poverty alleviation DATELINE: June 19, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:59 LOCATION: FUZHOU, China CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the symposium 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KORAROME FREDA, Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration, Papua New Guinea 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): HILDA TARISAI MANDITSVARA, Agricultural extension specialist in Zimbabwe STORYLINE: Agriculture experts attending a symposium in China's Fuzhou have spoken highly of China's Juncao technology for helping people in developing countries shake off poverty. The three-day symposium on Juncao industry development, which concluded on Monday, aimed to boost international cooperation on Juncao technology. Juncao, which in Chinese literally means "mushroom" and "grass," can be used, as its name suggests, to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms, as livestock feed or as a green barrier to control soil erosion and stop desertification. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KORAROME FREDA, Eastern Highlands Pro