Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The focus of the overall study is coconut and breadfruit agroforestry. During this reporting period, there was a special emphasis on the coconut component. As a result, target audiences included (a) coconut farmers in Pohnpei State and (b) partner organizations promoting coconut development in Pohnpei State and in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) as a whole. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Aldickson Inoke, a student doing the Certificate program in Agriculture and Food Technology received training under this program. We visited his family agroforest for his hands-on training and this family agroforest also provided an opportunity for professional development for the researcher and his research assistants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been discussed with colleagues to design future research, as well as extension activities among coconut farmers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we also intend to determine the effect of tree thinning on the growth and yield of agroforestry crops; and determine the effect of spacing, irrigation, biochar, and compost on the growth of coconut and breadfruit.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Improving Indigenous Coconut and Breadfruit Agroforestry in Pohnpei, FSM INTRODUCTION This report covers activities to determine basic information and current issues and problems relating to agroforest farmers growing coconuts. The focus was on the coconut component of the agroforestry project and, in particular, there was an effort to determine the cause of low coconut production and productivity. There is now a better understanding of the causes of low coconut production and productivity in Pohnpei agroforestry which should be addressed in the next Reporting Period. METHODOLOGY The methodology was mainly by farm visits and interviewing coconut farmers. Twenty-five (25) farmers from five (5) municipalities of Pohnpei were asked questions to determine the issues and problems faced by farmers growing coconut in their agroforest farms. For this activity, there was a focus on coconuts due to the availability of a buyer (FSM PetroCorp, aka Vital) who is currently willing to buy all brown coconuts supplied by local farmers. Farmers in this study were also asked questions on composting to ascertain whether composting could be a viable option for improving soil fertility and yield of coconut trees in the agroforest. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Basic Information Number of Coconut Trees Owned: The actual number of coconut trees owned by each of the 25 coconut farmers interviewed ranged from 20 to 800, with a median of 80, and a mean of 114 trees. Main Use of Harvested, Brown Coconuts: 19 (76%) of the 25 farmers use their harvested coconuts mainly for feeding their pigs, 5 (20%) of them use their coconuts mainly for selling, while only 1 (4%) use their coconuts mainly for household uses i.e., to prepare family meals, make oil, etc. Composting: Of the 25 farmers interviewed, 4 (16%) said they know how to make a compost. Nevertheless, 24 (96%) of them are interested in attending a training workshop on how to make compost. However, only 20 (80%) of them are willing to try adding compost to their growing coconut seedlings or trees. Interest in New Plantings: 24 (96%) of the 25 farmers interviewed are interested in growing more coconut trees and also 24 of them are interested in setting up their own small coconut nursery. Issues and Problems Poor Maintenance: The main issue, mentioned 20 times by the 25 interviewees, is the poor maintenance of the agroforestry farm due to weeds, overwhelming vines and/or big trees that also result in over-shading and poor coconut growth. Poor fruiting: The second issue, mentioned 14 times by the interviewees, is "poor fruiting," i.e., trees bearing few or no fruit/ nut. Need for Seedlings: The third issue, mentioned 9 times by the interviewed farmers, is the need for coconut seedlings. Old Trees: The fourth issue, mentioned 8 times by the interviewed farmers, is that some of their coconut trees are too old and facing a decline in yield. Rocky Land: The fifth issue, mentioned 3 times by the interviewed farmers, is the rocky nature of their land. This issue is only mentioned by U farmers. Minor Issues: Minor issues, mentioned 1 time only during the farmer interviews include: (a) lack of penning of pigs, allowing them to roam freely and destroy growing coconut seedlings (mentioned by a farmer from Madolenihmw); (b) difficulty in getting harvested coconuts to the road for collection by the main coconut buyer, FSM PetroCorp (mentioned by a farmer from U); and (c) limited land area (also mentioned by a farmer from U). SUMMARY AND FUTURE PLANS In summary, this study shows that the key issues faced by coconut farmers include: (1) poor maintenance of agroforest; (2) poor fruiting of coconut trees; (3) need for coconut seedlings; and (4) old age of coconut trees. Future research and extension activities will aim at addressing both major and minor issues, but the four major issues will be considered a priority: (1) With regard to Issue 1 (poor maintenance), we will consider carrying out extension activities to address poor maintenance - eg radio programs to encourage farmers to spend 1 day a month to do maintenance work in their agroforest; (2) With regard to Issue 2 (poor fruiting), we will consider exploring causes of poor fruiting and its relationship with other factors such as poor maintenance, old age of coconut trees, etc. We also intend to try out good management practices - including production and addition of compost, and see whether there is any positive impact on yield; (3) With regard to Issue 3 (need for seedlings), we intend to collect coconut seedlings from outer islands and nearby islands under Pohnpei proper for nursery production and distribution to farmers; and (4) With regard to Item 4 (old trees), cut off old trees where appropriate and plant new coconut seedlings. However, before the above activities are carried out, we intend to: (a) Interview more coconut farmers to confirm the issues and trends found in this study, and (b) Discuss the plans with other partners, especially COM Land Grant, Pohnpei State R&D, and Pohnpei State Agriculture. CONCLUSION Coconut is an excellent crop to promote in Pohnpei for the following reasons: (a) It is easy to grow; (b) There is a local buyer willing to buy all coconuts supplied to them; Coconut is very important for the pig industry and for overall food security. It is hoped that this study will lead to greater coconut production and prosperity for the Pohnpeian farmers.
Publications
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Progress 07/01/19 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:All three groups of target audience were reached - (a) farmers practicing agroforestry, (b) extension agents, and (c) students. In addition, a new group (fourth) of target audience has been identified and also reached - i.e., people interested in agroforestry for environmental reasons e.g., people who support agroforestry for its positive effect on reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gases and global warming. Farmers were reached during extension farm visits and workshops. At this site (COM, Pohnpei), the researcher occupies the same building with extension agents and both groups (research and extension) are fully aware of ongoing research and extension activities. And there has been much in-house discussion on agroforestry, particularly on ways to improve the local agroforestry system. Students reached included those that were involved in this research project as part of their internship or project/ practical requirement. During the period under review, there were five relevant workshops conducted in Pohnpei where there was an opportunity for this Researcher and/or his Research Assistants to make presentations and initiate discussions on how to improve the local coconut/ breadfruit agroforestry in Pohnpei. The workshop topics were on Agroforestry, Soil Restoration, Breadfruit Production, Coconut Industry, and Climate Change. All groups of target audience were reached during these workshops - farmers, extension agents, and students. Changes/Problems:There are no major changes/ problems in approach for this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES This project provided intern/practical students as well as the two Research Assistants an opportunity for hands-on training on how to conduct research. The project also provided an opportunity for our two Research Assistants to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and present it in front of a "big" audience. The project also provided justification for one of our two Research Assistants to attend a 2-month training in Sri Lanka on various aspects of coconut production. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Project also provided justification for the Researcher to visit and learn from a similar research activity currently progressing in Samoa. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to the farming communities via two main ways - through extension visits to the farming communities, and via workshops held in town where farmers' representatives are invited. Students involved in the research gain access to results first-hand while other students, as well as extension agents, gain access to research results workshops - as well as via Research/Extension weekly meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, the focus will be on addressing the second and third objectives of the project, and this will involve field trials and experimentation. The second objective of this project is: To determine the effect of tree/shrub thinning on growth and yield of agroforestry crops including traditional crops, cover crops and crops newly introduced to address health issues. And the third and last objective of the project is: To determine the effect of spacing, irrigation, and biochar on growth of coconut and breadfruit.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The main objective of the project is to find ways and means of improving the local, coconut and breadfruit agroforestry system in Pohnpei. The Researcher, his Research Assistants, and student helpers visited numerous agroforests to study the current system and explore potential"weaknesses" and determine possible areas for improvement. We also conducted surveys to determine the views and perception of local people with regard to agroforestry. This project has three specific objectives under one main goal. During the period under review, the main goal and first objective were addressed. The main goal of the project is: To study agroforestry systems in Pohnpei, FSM with focus on coconut- and breadfruit-based practices, and explore ways for its improvement for food security, health, climate change adaptation and economic development. The project's first specific objective is: To explore and document current agroforestry systems in terms of practices, crop yields, functionalities, the various coconut and breadfruit varieties grown and their effect on agroforestry productivity, and the trees, shrubs, crops involved, and other plants that could play a (more) useful role in agroforestry. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; Four major activities were carried out. Firstly, visits were carried out to various agroforests to study, explore, investigate and document the current system. Secondly, visits to various sites (agroforests and uncropped savannahs) were carried out to explore possible sites for field trials. Thirdly, surveys were undertaken to determine perception of the local people towards agroforestry. Fourthly, an off-island visit to Samoa was taken for a number of reasons including the opportunity to observe first-hand the progress of an on-going coconut and breadfruit agroforestry experiment. 2) Data collected: these included the following: Field Study of an Agroforest in U An agroforest in U Municipality, Pohnpei, belonging to the family of Martin Junior Rodriquez was visited for the purpose of conducting a field study. The visit agreed with other visits and farmer interviews on two very simple ways of improving the local agroforestry practice. The first is to encourage agroforest owners to allocate some time, e.g., a couple of hours or so a month to walk around their agroforest to cut unneeded vines that are overwhelming tree crops such as coconuts, breadfruit, banana, etc. Secondly, while taking a walk through their agroforest, they should identify and mark out trees that are blocking high value crops resulting in excessive shading and reduced wind movement which also tend to contribute to greater fungal pest infestation. Introductory Interview with Coconut Farmer in Nett A number of farms/ farmers were visited and interviewed to determine possible sites for field trials. One of them is this farmer in Nett: Family Information: Seven in household - Couple, father, 4 children. Couple includes man, 46, full-time farmer who started farming with parents when 8 years old, and wife, who works in town at FSM Petro Corp. Farm description: Location: Nett, Pohnpei, Micronesia. Intercropping / Agroforestry. Coconut intercropped with other local crops including Banana, Breadfruit. Farmer's preference: Would like to do monocropping of the different crops but for now he's practicing mixed planting or agroforestry. (We have not yet discussed the pros and the cons of monocropping and agoforestry with this farmer.) Problems faced? Poor yield of low-level, non-tree crops (e.g. taro) due to shading from bigger/taller plants. Comment on earnings/ income from your farm: It's fine/good. What are some of the plants you are intercropping? Coconut, Cassava, Banana, Lemons, Taro, Sakau, Sugar cane, and other local plants Which plants you mostly prefer growing? All. Name your marketable crops? Sakau, Coconut, Banana, Taro. Is the soil good for farming? Yes. Farmer & family have not experienced land slides or any other major issues with their land and soil. What would you want to improve for your farm? Learn better agricultural practices, such as the appropriate depth of planting coconuts, taro, cassava. What do you think CRE could do to help you? Good planting techniques; Increase knowledge on Coconut, Taro (e.g. Honolulu variety), Banana, and Vegetables; Vegetable gardening; Sakau Seedlings, and better cultivating techniques Is it okay if we have a community meeting at your place in the near future? Yes. You are welcome! Preferred Crops to Inter-Crop with Coconut and Breadfruit - Perception of Local People on Pohnpei Surveys were carried out to determine the views and perception of the local population with regard to agroforestry. One of the surveys aimed at finding out the local view with regard to which crop is best to intercrop with coconut and breadfruit. Results of this study, as given below, will be considered when deciding what crops to intercrop with coconut and breadfruit in field trials. Coconut Agroforestry (Inter-cropping with Coconuts): Twenty common crop varieties and species were considered by 12 interviewees (n=12). The 20 crops included five common banana varieties, three common citrus varieties, and two taro species, as well as kava, cassava, pele, Chaya, yam, pandanus, papaya, cucumber, Chinese cabbage and Chilli pepper. According to the 12 interviewees, the best crops to intercrop with coconuts are the three citrus varieties (n=6 each) and the five banana varieties (n=5,5,5,6,7), followed by kava, cassava and papaya (n=5 each). Breadfruit Agroforestry (Inter-cropping with Breadfruit): The views of thirteen interviewees (n=13) and the same 20 crops were involved in this study. According to the 13 interviewees, the best crops to intercrop with breadfruit are sakau (the clear favorite, n=11), followed by soft taro and yam (n= 9 each), and Honolulu Taro and Manila Banana (n = 8 each). 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results So far, we found out that there are a number of possible ways of improving the local agroforestry system. Some of the ways are very simple and, as a start, we are working on designing effective ways to convince farmers to carry out these simple strategies. Along this line of approach, our local Research Assistants are preparing materials to be broadcast on the radio using polite language to attract and encourage local farmers. 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. There has been much change in knowledge. In particular, we have become more aware that there are many possible ways of improving local, coconut and breadfruit agroforestry and some of these ways are quite simple. We have also become aware of the perception of the local people in terms of crops that could do well as intercrop for coconut or breadfruit. And in the next reporting period, we would like to test the accuracy of some of these perceptions.
Publications
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