00:00Across these rice fields, old cassette tapes have become belt repellents,
00:04fluttering in the wind and creating noise that keeps belts from feeding on ripening rice.
00:10Farmers say the method is cheap, accessible and effective.
00:16This is Chimpumburu, a village just outside Liloongwe, Malawi's capital,
00:22where something interesting is happening in the rice fields.
00:26But strips of old cassette tapes are tied across the fields.
00:30Shimmering and rustling as the wind blows.
00:39Farmers are turning to an unusual but clever method to protect their crops from birds.
00:48For 43-year-old farmer, Chimbalani Eliyasi, who has been growing rice for five years,
00:54the simple trick is already making a difference.
01:00The innovation is helpful.
01:02Every rice farmer is using the radio cassette tapes.
01:06We find these tapes from people who are still keeping them in our community.
01:19What was once discarded is now in high demand.
01:25Residents like Werodisogo are cashing in, selling each cassette for about 5,000 Malawi waja,
01:33or around 3 U.S. dollars.
01:39I have sold about seven tapes this month alone.
01:42Demand is high as farmers are shifting to the use of these tapes to protect their rice field,
01:47and the tapes are in short supply.
01:57It is not just the traders benefiting, farmers themselves are seeing the impact too.
02:06Rice farming is helping us a lot.
02:09Farmers are getting the needed support through the tapes.
02:11Without these tapes, farmers incur losses, which affect the food situation in their households.
02:20Experts say simple and affordable innovations like this can make a big difference.
02:26The notion of reducing the crop loss in rice fields, loss that is caused by bales,
02:36can only be achieved if farmers adopt this innovation of using cassette tapes.
02:43Very effective.
02:45Very cheap.
02:52Once forgotten, these old radio cassette tapes are now helping farmers protect their harvests,
03:00boost yields, and strengthen food security in their communities.
03:16Most important things are reducing.
03:16The disciples, they are trying to make a big difference.
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