The creators of a new television soap opera in Bangladesh said Wednesday they were hoping it will teach farmers in one of the world's poorest nations new tricks to boost their income.
The Dhaka branch of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has produced the eight-episode drama, which will air weekly until August on a private satellite channel.
"It aims to help farmers to learn about new technology and to improve their incomes," said Zainul Abedin, of IRRI Bangladesh. "It shows how small scale changes can help."
As well as new technology, the episodes touch on food security and how to share ideas with other farmers.
"Soaps are popular in Bangladesh so we thought we could use them to transfer educational information."
Abedin said farmers could text in questions after each show and issues raised may be used in future episodes.
The show, called Jiboner Jalchobi ("Reflections of Life") follows on from the success of a similar IRRI radio drama in Vietnam, he said.
There are around 14 million rice farmers in Bangladesh, many of whom are illiterate and earn barely enough to support their families.
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