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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

Yap Extension

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

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

COM-FSM Yap Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) staff and Agriculture students participated in the 48th 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 590-350

CRE staff pose in front of the booth.

Blue kale in polybags_1 590-350

Chinese cabbage in grow box.

Chinese cabbage in grow box 590-350

Chinese cabbage in grow box.

CRE booth 590-350

YAP CRE booth.

Cucumber plant in growbag with stand-alone trellis 400

Cucumber plant in growbag with stand-alone trellis.

Head cabbages in polybags_1 590-350

Head cabbage in polybags.

A view of garden produce from a youth group 590-350

A view of garden produce from a youth group.

Product of Yap-Eggs from OASDVFR Program clients backyard poultry farms 590-350

Locally-grown eggs.

Purple kale in polybags 590-350

Blue kale in polybags.

Tim Bigelow, a successful poultry farmer (right) and OASDVFR Program Client discusses with Steven Young Uhk, CRE Coordinator (left) 590-350

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 590-350

Veggies from OASDVFR Program clients gardens

Backyard chicken farming in Yap

COLONIA, YAP, FSM.  Steven Young-Uhk, CRE Coordinator, Yap Cooperative Research and Extension.

There is a growing trend in Yap for backyard chicken farming. More and more households in Yap are doing backyard poultry farming using imported breeds and combination of local feed materials and commercial feed to produce eggs for consumption and selling the surplus for extra income. Through one-on-one intervention and farm visits, Yap CES has been providing technical assistance and advice on a wide range of poultry topics including type of breeds, importation and quarantine requirements, brooding and caring for chicks, feeding, watering, and general health care.

A recent extension survey on backyard chicken farmers in Yap revealed that these households are raising from 4 to 21 chickens per family (average of 11 chickens) and producing 3-19 eggs per day. Some families sell their eggs at a price range of $3.75 to $4.25 per dozen and/or $0.40 to 0.50 per fresh or boiled egg. The chicken coop designs are simple using a variety of low-cost materials such as bamboo, wire, or plastic fencing, thatch or old roofing tin for the roof, and dry litter materials for the flooring.

Raising chickens in the backyard offer many advantages to the households. This include: i) Hens will provide the family a steady supply of fresh healthy eggs, considerably healthier than their store bought counterparts, ii) Surplus eggs may be sold for extra family income, iii) Children can learn a lot from raising chickens and many people keep chickens as pets. Additionally chicken manure and bedding materials are good for the family garden.

A type of simple housing for the chickens.
A type of simple housing for the chickens.
Imported breed of chickens that families in Yap are raising for eggs.
Imported breed of chickens that families in Yap are raising for eggs.
Collecting fresh eggs for the family.
Collecting fresh eggs for the family.

 

 

 

Yap Extension speaks at St. Mary’s on a variety of topics

COLONIA, YAP, FSM, Martin Ruwniyol, 4-H Extension Agent, Yap Cooperative Extension Services.

4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol in the classroom giving a lecture on nutrition.
4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol in the classroom giving a lecture on nutrition.

Yap CES 4-H Program conducted a Guest Speaker Program at St. Mary’s School from January to May 2013 in collaboration with Public Health, Yap State EPA, Youth Services Office and Our YAP, a youth organization. This extension activity falls under Planned Program – Families, Youths and Communities – and Knowledge Areas Human Development and Family Well-being (KA802) and Youth Development (KA806). Thirty-seven 8th graders attended and completed this program in which they were able to learn various topics on good nutrition and health. Class sessions comprised of lectures, group discussions and tests to assess student learning outcomes. Collaborating agencies gave lectures on food sanitation, water quality, food safety, personal hygiene etc. The 4-H agent was also the guest speaker during the graduation ceremony held on May 31, 2013 during which certificates of completion and special awards were given to the program participants. Beginning next academic year, Yap CES is planning to extend the Guest Speaker Program to other elementary schools in Yap as part of the youth extension program. Yap CES wishes to thank the Principal Timothy Moon, 8th Grade teacher Louisa Ilyaw and collaborating agencies for their assistance in this program.

 

4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol during the 2013 St. Mary’s Graduation Ceremony as a Special Guest Speaker and also to give out awards of completion to students.
4-H Extension Agent, Martin Ruwniyol during the 2013 St. Mary’s Graduation Ceremony as a Special Guest Speaker and also to give out awards of completion to students.