The World’s Largest Mealworm Farm

How can we feed the world – on a planet with finite resources and a growing number of people? Moreover, more of those people are eating more meat and fish – and those animals in turn need feeding, and protein, to grow. At the moment, soy and fishmeal are the main sources of protein for animal feed – but the demand for soy has been … Continue reading The World’s Largest Mealworm Farm

A Biscuit With Extra (Insect) Crunch

A Biscuit with Extra (Insect) Crunch Insects are traditional food in many African countries but young people and urban dwellers aren’t so keen on this traditional fare so the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) is trying to give it a modern twist. Listen to the story here. Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 From Our Own Correspondent on 20 June 2020. Photo ©Emilie … Continue reading A Biscuit With Extra (Insect) Crunch

Bugs for lunch

Bugs for lunch Edible insects are nutritious: they contain high levels of protein, fibre, essential vitamins and minerals. They’re also more sustainable to produce than other meats such as beef or pork. But would you eat them? I met the Welsh entrepreneurs determined to find them a place on British plates. Listen to the story here. Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 From Our Home Correspondent … Continue reading Bugs for lunch

Saving people’s sight through surgery and mapping

Trachoma is responsible for the visual impairment of some 2m people. Yet this eye infection is easily treatable and preventable by using the SAFE strategy. S stands for Surgery, A for Antibiotics, F for Facial Hygiene and E for Environmental Cleanliness. Until recently however, it wasn’t clear exactly where the disease was. A global survey found out so that SAFE can be rolled out. Listen … Continue reading Saving people’s sight through surgery and mapping

Holidaying on the French Riviera

The French Riviera is the original holiday resort – European royalty decided to spend their winters there as early as the 18th century. Today, it’s popular year-round, with French and foreign visitors alike drawn to its natural beauty, culture and fabulous weather. For more inspiration, listen to this interview. Broadcast on Dubai Eye Radio, 9 June 2014. Continue reading Holidaying on the French Riviera

The untold story of illegal migration in the Comoros

The news have recently been full of reports of African migrants dying in the Mediterranean or the Saharan on their way to Europe. But for the past 20 years, a similar tragedy has been unfolding thousands of miles away in the Indian Ocean, where desperate migrants from the Comoros have tried to make their way to the French island of Mayotte. You can listen to … Continue reading The untold story of illegal migration in the Comoros

Education: collateral damage of Madagascar’s politics

The political crisis in Madagascar has had a devastating impact on the education system: money for schools and teachers has dried up and parents have struggled to pay fees. Elections on 25 October could herald a new chapter. You can listen to the story here (starts nearly 12 min in). The piece aired on the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent on Radio 4 on 17 … Continue reading Education: collateral damage of Madagascar’s politics

Beating river blindness, one fly at a time

Africa is beginning to win its battle against the terrible parasitic river blindness infection, thanks in no small part to the painstaking work of villagers who catch the flies responsible for the disease and send them on for testing. The story first aired on the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent on Radio 4 on Saturday 4 May – you can listen to it here. Or … Continue reading Beating river blindness, one fly at a time

Of crocodiles and slave forts: domestic tourism in Ghana

Domestic visitors used to make up 40% of visitors at Cape Coast Castle, Ghana’s famous slave fort. Now it’s 70%. Domestic tourism, like everything else in Ghana, is booming. Hitting the road is now the thing to do amongst young Ghanaians: find out more about those I recently met during a trip in Ghana in this piece for the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent. You … Continue reading Of crocodiles and slave forts: domestic tourism in Ghana