Notes to Broadcasters on crisis affecting poultry industry:
Date Posted: April 21st, 2008
This story illustrates how quickly and severely a violent crisis can affect agricultural production. In this case, farmers afraid to leave their homes were unable to care for their chickens. In other instances, such as the crisis that occurred in Kenya following the December 2007 election, farmers are forced to abandon their fields. In both cases, the effect on food production continues long after peace has returned. This has implications both for food security and farmer incomes.
The following scripts provide information on how to protect livestock in case of emergency, and what kinds of crops can provide food security in times of crisis:
-“Protect your livestock in times of emergency” (Package 64, Script 3, July 2002)
-“Survival’ crops provide food during times of need” (Package 67, Script 2, June 2003)
You may wish to produce a radio show that helps farmers prepare for crises. Possible formats include a phone-in or text-in show and/or a discussion panel featuring farmers, extension workers, or other experts:
-What sorts of emergencies, such as droughts, floods, or conflicts have farmers in your area experienced in the past five or 10 years?
-What was the impact on crops and livestock?
-Did farmers take measures to reduce the impact on their food production and food security? What were the measures and what was the effect?
-Are community groups trained to respond to emergencies? What role did they play in recent emergencies? What ongoing work do these groups carry out to prepare for emergencies?
-Can farmers, extension officers, or other experts suggest strategies to prepare for emergencies?
