Pohnpei, FSM. Jim Currie, Vice President, Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM.
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 2nd World Noni Congress at S.R.M. University in Chennai, India on 19th 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.
During the 2nd 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).