Yap Agricultural Experiment Station

Our scientists work on projects that directly impact the people of Yap. ....

Yap CRE Researcher conferred with prestigious fellowship

April 3, 2016

Pohnpei, FSM. Jim Currie, Vice President, Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM.

Dr. Muru receives a momento from Dr. Kirti Singh, Chairman, World Noni Research Foundation.

Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension at Yap Campus has been bestowed with the Fellowship of the International Society for Noni Science for his outstanding contributions to Noni research and science during its Annual General Body Meeting held in conjunction with the 2^nd World Noni Congress at S.R.M. University in Chennai, India on 19^th March 2016. Established in 2010, the International Society for Noni Science promotes research, education and development of Noni all over the world. It may be recalled that Dr. Muru pioneered the research and extension work on Noni in Yap since 2006. Between 2006 and 2011, using Smith-Lever Funds Dr. Muru carried out an extension project on noni wherein he successfully trained a group of Yapese farmers in noni production, processing and marketing. Under a Hatch Project, he also scientifically validated the potency of noni varieties in Yap.

certificate-260 — The certificate given to Dr Muru for his work with none.

During the 2^nd World Noni Congress Dr. Muru presented a paper on ‘Noni-based agroforestry systems as an adaptive strategy in a changing climate’ that has also been adjudged for award of best oral presentation in the technical session on Crop Management. This paper will be published in the upcoming edition of the International Journal of Noni Research.

Cover image caption: Dr. Muru receives award from Dr. Kirti Singh Chairman, World Noni Research Foundation (from L to R – Prof. P.I. Peter, Chairman, Noni Biotech, Dr. Muru, Dr. Kirti Singh, Chairman World Noni Research Foundation, Dr. P. Rethinam, Editor, International Journal of Noni Research).

Cooperative Research and Extension, COM-FSM Yap Campus participated in the 2016 Yap Day celebrations

March 13, 2016

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist

COM-FSM Yap Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) staff and Agriculture students participated in the 48^th Annual Yap celebrations held at Makiy, between February 29 and March 1, 2016.

Yap Day is the biggest cultural celebration in Yap. This annual two-day event is accompanied with various cultural performances including traditional dances, traditional attire displays, stories, tattoo displays, stone money carrying, log pulling, cultural education activities, besides various stalls displaying a variety of traditional handicrafts and food items.

Yap CRE participated in the event and displayed family farming and urban gardening models, and low-cost food production systems. As it is customary, students and staff at the booth were dressed in traditional attire and promoted the importance of various local farm produce. A variety of vegetables from the CRE demonstration gardens and USDA-OAO OASDVFR Program clients were on display and sale. This includes kale, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, spinach, head cabbage, celery, bell pepper, spring onion and seedlings of eggplant, papaya, tomatoes and cucumbers. Backyard poultry farming is one of the priority areas of Yap CRE program and locally produced eggs from USDA-OAO OASDVFR Program clients’ farms were also on sale through this booth. Staff and students at the booth did their very best to give needed information to plant healthy vegetables at home and in the community.

The variety of leafy vegetables and the many growing systems on display received acclaim from many off-island visitors. Yap CRE is an active promoter of integrated family farming for food and nutrition security. Family farming is a way of life with a future and is the best way to ensure islands’ food security. It guarantees food in a sustainable manner while taking care of islands’ environment and respecting traditions and cultures. Please enjoy some images from the event!

CRE staff pose in front of the booth.

Chinese cabbage in grow box.

YAP CRE booth.

Cucumber plant in growbag with stand-alone trellis.

Head cabbage in polybags.

A view of garden produce from a youth group.

Locally-grown eggs.

Blue kale in polybags.

Tim Bigelow, a successful poultry farmer (right) and OASDVFR Program Client discusses with Steven Young Uhk, CRE Coordinator (left).

Veggies from OASDVFR Program clients gardens

Yap CRE participated in the 2015 World Food Day Celebrations

October 25, 2015

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Agricultural Experiment Station

The Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) wing of the College of Micronesia-FSM at Yap Campus participated in the 2015 World Food Day celebrations in Colonia, Yap.

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Main goal of this special day is to raise public awareness about hunger challenges and encourages people worldwide to take action in the fight against hunger. The theme of 2015 World Food Day was “Social protection and agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty,” which aimed to underline the role of social protection plays in reducing chronic food insecurity and poverty by ensuring direct access to food or the means to buy food. Social protection is a viable alternative for stimulating agricultural production and local economic activity. It provides direct income support, with an immediate impact on food security and poverty reduction. Social protection also promotes sustainable food systems, natural resource management and resilient livelihoods.

This year, Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council organized World Food Day celebrations in Colonia, Yap. As part of the celebrations, Yap CRE participated in the event. Under its NIFA Planned Program ‘Global Food Security and Hunger,’ Yap CRE’s projects and programs are focused on social protection and contribute directly towards the post-2015, new Sustainable Development Goal 1 – End poverty in all its forms everywhere, sub goal 1.3 – Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. During this event, Yap CRE exhibited various urban vegetable garden models and low-cost food production systems, distributed brochures, fliers and booklets on vegetable gardening and sold a range of vegetables such as Bok Choy, Chinese cabbage, Mesclun, Swiss chard, kale, Kang Kong, spinach, lettuce, tomato, sweet pepper, eggplant and okra raised in our demonstration gardens. Eggs produced locally by our Outreach Project clients were also on display and sale. CRE staff also conducted cooking demonstrations as part of outreach activities under the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Healthy dishes from local vegetables such as Kang Kong, bird nest fern, Chili pepper leaves, pumpkin tips with local seasoning like coconut oil, Ambarella leaves, basil leaves and taro starch were on display and tasting. The event attracted many people including visitors and we are enthused by the overwhelming response shown by the local community.

More pictures of this event can be viewed at:

https://app.box.com/s/hn07xjpsrr39pd5d9ygzk2iu3p71js6z

gov-yap — Hon. Tony Ganngiyan (right), Governor of the State of Yap visits the booth.

Training on Climate-smart agriculture methods: Chuuk, RMI, Palau

October 25, 2015

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Agricultural Experiment Station

Two Researchers from the College of Micronesia-FSM Cooperative Research and Extension conducted a series of training workshops on ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture’ between May 3 and May 13 under the Professional Development Program of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Workshops were conducted at the College of Marshall Islands, Majuro, College of Micronesia-FSM at Chuuk Campus and at the Palau Community College. Purpose of these workshops was to educate and train extension agents, agriculture professionals and farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices. Altogether 51 participants (10 in Majuro, 14 in Chuuk and 25 in Palau) participants including extension agents, agriculture professionals, farmers and staff of various government agencies attended this workshop. The workshops were facilitated by Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai (Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Campus) and Dr. Virendra Verma (Researcher/Extension Specialist, Kosrae Campus). The training workshops covered the following six topics: i) What is smallholder farming, ii) Climate change impacts that you can expect, iii) Climate change impacts on smallholder farming, iv) Improving soil fertility and farm productivity, v) Climate-smart adaptation strategies and, vi) Climate-smart agricultural adaptation strategies. Training sessions were supported by a training manual and several online brochures/training guides. Pre-and post-evaluation results show that participants gained knowledge and awareness on the topics discussed to serve the communities in a better way.

Dr Verma presents information for the Chuuk farmers and Land Grant staff.

Palau participants get updated on what might be necessary as the climate changes.

Yap CRE participates in the World Food Day Celebrations

October 30, 2014

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Yap Agricultural Experiment Station

Yap Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) and College of Micronesia-FSM Yap Campus Agriculture students participated in the 2014 World Food Day celebrations in Yap.

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The 2014 World Food Day theme – Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth” – has been chosen to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farmers. It focuses world attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas. The UN General Assembly has designated 2014 “International Year of Family Farming.” This is a strong signal that the international community recognizes the important contribution of family farmers to world food security.

This year, Yap State observed the World Food Day along with 2014 International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 17, at Colonia Community Center. The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration, Yap Office in association with Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council.

Yap CRE is an active promoter of integrated family farming for food and nutrition security. Family farming is a way of life with a future and is the best way to ensure islands’ food security. It guarantees food in a sustainable manner while taking care of islands’ environment and respecting traditions and cultures.

As part of the celebrations, Yap CRE participated in the event and exhibited various urban farm models and low-cost food production systems, displayed posters on chicken farming and distributed brochures and pamphlets on family farming and safe food handling procedures, raising awareness of the issues behind successful family farming and their role in ensuring food security. Some of our vertical urban garden models attracted special attention of the public. Ag students exhibited and sold a range of fresh garden produce and plants grown as part of their course work.