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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

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.

 

 

Island Farm – a success story

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

Island Farm (Aringel village, Dalipebinaw Municipality, Yap) was established by a Bangladeshi immigrant in early 2009 as a vegetable garden for survival. Later, more crops were incorporated with technical assistance and extension support from Yap Agricultural Experiment Station. Over the years Yap AES provided several hands-on trainings on topics ranging from nursery management, nutrient management, pest management, soil preparation and composting. This small farm is now well established and catering local markets with vegetables like Chinese cabbage, eggplant, okra, cucumber, peppers, watermelon, long beans, sweet potato, tomatoes, pumpkins etc.

Impacts achieved
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of its owners, Island Farm showed a remarkable achievement in the last few years of operation. Success (impact) was measured in terms of income generated (cost-benefit ratio) from the farming operations. Client reports a gross sale of over USD 14,000.00 each year. Once a rare commodity, fresh garden produce is now within the reach of every household in Yap.

Owner Nadim Miah shares his views:

Island Farm's owner, Nadim Miah.
Island Farm’s owner, Nadim Miah.

Small farm outreach and technical assistance program for socially disadvantaged Outer Island population in Yap

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

Ethnic neighboring island communities of Yap and its 14 atoll islets in the Western Pacific are among the most economically disadvantaged and environmentally vulnerable groups in the Federated States of Micronesia. Most climate change models and studies show that climate change effects will be disproportionately borne by these communities. Decreased rainfall and/or rising sea level trigger saltwater intrusion into traditional taro patches, low-lying forestry stands and other ecosystems in the atolls. Environmental and social pressures force communities to migrate to Yap Proper in search of better living conditions. Migrants from the atolls to Yap Proper with dreams of improving their living standards are often confronted by lack of jobs and mainstay, and remain destitute in a challenging environmental setting. This population required a survival strategy that involves growing vegetables, however, volcanic red soils predominant in the settlement pose severe challenges to the community in field cultivation. Since 2005, a comprehensive extension program has been extended to the community in volcanic soil management coupled with vegetable gardening utilizing alternate crop production practices. Despite limited resource settings and challenging soil conditions, these alternate crop production models helped atoll communities to successfully establish family-level vegetable gardens and directly participate in rebuilding their future. The sound soil management practices and alternate crop production models raised self-reliance of the displaced communities and helped to maintain a sustainable food production system. Nutrient-rich vegetables that were once beyond the family food menu of the community, now supplement their traditional diet of root crops and fish (Outreach project was supported by USDA-NIFA (Award #:2006-51200-03594) and USDA-OAO (Award #: 59-2501-10-008).

A collage of household gardens – A Real Homeland Security!
A collage of household gardens – A Real Homeland Security!

Role of biochar in improving the fertility of degraded volcanic soils in Yap

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

Volcanic red soils in Yap are highly degraded with low soil fertility. Heavy rainfall and warm climate promote uncontrollable erosion and depletion of nutrients through leaching. More stable materials rich in iron and aluminum oxide are left behind which results in soils that is acidic. Such degraded lands lack nutrients and high acidity prevents plants from growing and is, therefore, challenging to farm or grow trees. These soils either sustain forests because of lack of severe topsoil disturbance or are degraded through topsoil removal and then support mostly ferns that are adapted to harsh soil conditions. In order to reclaim such degraded lands, a good crop management program involving identification and correction of nutrient deficiencies and toxicities is required. This will not only help in establishing sustainable agriculture activities in degraded lands but also increase economic returns and reduce risks of environmental pollution. In the present research, the role of biochar as a soil conditioner for sustainable agriculture in degraded volcanic red soils of Yap (GAGIL series) is being studied using field experiments.

About 23.5 percent of Yap Proper has degraded volcanic soils.
About 23.5 percent of Yap Proper has degraded volcanic soils.

Climate-Smart agriculture

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

There is no one size fits all solution for climate change adaptation in agriculture. Climate change impacts agriculture and food security differently all over the world. Effects vary on different crops and farming systems, therefore a wide range of adaptation options are necessary. Preserving and enhancing food security requires agricultural production systems to change in the direction of higher productivity. Lower output variability in the face of climate risk and risks of an agroecological and socioeconomic nature is also essential. In order to tackle climate change and produce more food to feed the island population, an integrated “climate-smart” approach is needed. Food security and climate change are closely linked and key opportunities exist to transform the sector towards climate-smart systems that address both. Most estimates indicate that climate change is likely to reduce agricultural productivity, production stability and incomes in small islands. Developing climate-smart agriculture is thus crucial to achieving food security. One of our current Hatch Projects attempts to test science-based climate-smart agriculture practices that promote successful adaptation of small island agricultural systems to climate change and ensure food security.

Nutrient depleted soils need climate-smart practices.
Nutrient depleted soils need climate-smart practices.