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COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA

LAND GRANT PROGRAM
Contact us: (691) 3202462/2728
P.O Box 1179 Kolonia,Pohnpei FM 96941
  • COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA LAND GRANT PROGRAM

Pohnpei Extension

College of Micronesia-FSM Marine Science & Aquaculture Class visits COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery

On March 19, 2024, Students from the College of Micronesia-FSM’s Marine Science & Aquaculture class, guided by science instructor Peltin Olter Pelep, embarked on a site visit to the COM Nett Point aquaculture hatchery. The students were introduced to the sea cucumber hatchery operations methods, from broodstock collection, spawning, and larval rearing, Nursery -1 in the incubator, and lectures on Nursery-2 and grow-out farming methods.

Led by the hatchery project staff members Rex, Clayton, and Balenko, the students were given an overview of the incubator’s operations and species samples via microscope for observation.

Instructor Peltin demonstrated his interest in and support for the hatchery’s efforts, especially its role in promoting sustainable practices of Micronesian marine resources. He emphasized the importance of conservation efforts to safeguard the sea cucumber species from overharvesting in the wild. Peltin encouraged his students to consider internships at the hatchery, recognizing the greater opportunity for them to gain professional skills and knowledge in sustainable aquaculture practices.

Instructor Peltin hopes to take his students to the nursery farms at Nihco Marine Park and Grow-out farms later to observe and learn about the third and fourth stages of the Program, Nursery-2 and Grow-out, respectively.

COM-FSM Marine Science Students with instructor Peltin Olter Pelep during their visit to COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery on March 19, 2024

COM-FSM Marine Science Students observing and learning the techniques of larval rearing from COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery staff

COM-FSM Marine Science Students learning the techniques of spawning from Hatchery staff and COM-FSM Marine Science Alumni Rex Edmund

Director, Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, visit COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery

 Dr. Anne McDonald and Dr. Iain Hall, Director and Visiting Researcher, respectively, at the Island Sustainability Institute, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, are in Pohnpei as part of helping Pohnpei State to finalize its Food Security Policy. The team showed interest in COM Land Grant Aquaculture Program activities and visited the  COM Land Grant Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery in Pohnpei on March 9, 2024. 

The team observed the Sandfish sea cucumber larval rearing activity and interviewed the Micronesian staff under Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture Technology Development, Rex Edmund, and Clayton Maluwelgiye about different aspects of the sea cucumber hatchery, nursery and farming program and how they work towards improving ordinary Micronesians’ livelihoods.

Dr. McDonald was impressed with the program and encouraged project staff Rex to apply for a Master’s degree program at her university for his professional development.

Pictured from left to right: Clayton Maluwelgiye, Dr. Iain Hall, Dr. Manoj Nair, and Dr. Anne McDonald at the COM Land Grant Nett Point hatchery in Pohnpei.

Blue Prosperity Micronesia and National Geographic Pristine Seas visit COM Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery to interview and film a feature on how COM Land Grant Aquaculture’s Sea cucumber farming program.

 Blue Prosperity Micronesia and National Geographic Pristine Seas conducted a  Nationwide Marine Science Expedition in the Federated States of Micronesia. As part of this exercise, A filing crew from the expedition visited the COM Land Grant Nett Point Aquaculture Hatchery and the Awak Community sea cucumber farm in Awak, U Municipality in Pohnpei on October 26, 2023. 

The team interviewed the Micronesian staff under Dr. Manoj R Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture technology development. Rex Edmund, Belenko Halverson, and Clayton Maluwelgiye on their personal and professional experiences as project staff and how they work towards improving ordinary Micronesians’ livelihoods.

Later, the team visited the Awak community farm in Awak, U Municipality, Pohnpei, interviewed community members, and observed first-hand farmed sea cucumber samples and how the project staff collected project data.

 

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Blue Prosperity & National Geographic Pristine Seas team interviewing Rex Edmund at Nett Point Hatchery. 

Blue Prosperity & National Geographic Pristine Seas team filming data collection at the Awak sea cucumber farm site. Project staff Belenko Halverson and Rex Edmund are collecting data on farmed sea cucumbers. The Awak Sea cucumber farm can be seen in the background.

Training for black pepper farmers on Pohnpei

POHNPEI, FSM.  Kazuo Ishikawa, Cooperator, Japan Volunteer.

Eighty-five percent of world black pepper production is from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil, 14% is from South Asia, Madagascar, Sri-Lanka, China, and Costa Rica. Pohnpei accounts for less than 1%.

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Workshop on black pepper attracts farmerss.

Pohnpei Cooperative Extension agents (CES) became involved in the project with only 38 existing black pepper farms.  There are now 155 farmers with an estimated crop value of $500,000 per year.   Extension agents were continued activities for the black pepper cultivation and production in Pohnpei Island by developing and airing radio programs for public awareness and by conducting demonstrations on black pepper cultivation techniques in communities around the island. Twice a month agents visit pepper farms around the island to conduct demonstrations on planting pepper, fertilizing, pruning methods, and other recommended activities.

CES staff advises new farmers on selecting farm sites, selecting fern posts as support for black pepper, and field layout. Agents encourage all pepper growers to apply more compost to improve soil fertility. CES agents identify and work with farmers who are willing and able to produce planting materials for sale and distribution.  CES staff members also conducted a survey of all pepper farms to assess individual farms in term of number of vines of different ages in the field.

A three-day workshop on black pepper production was recently completed at Pohnpei CRE facility.

Class attendees watch how to safely operate a chipper.
Class attendees watch how to safely operate a chipper.

Second day workshop was conducted in the community of Pihs madolenihmw, 19 farmers participated in the compost practice.  Before the practice extension agents explained the purpose, the importance and benefit of compost to soil and the environment.  Agents demonstrated how to start the chipper engine, advised the local materials needed, and the compost methods.