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Pohnpei Cooperative Extension Service

PCC Engineer visits Pohnpei to design the new COM Land Grant Central Office

Palau Community College (PCC) Engineer Devine Claire Ragundi is in Pohnpei from January 7-11, 2024. She met with Executive Director Stanley Lorennij and other COM Land Grant Central Office staff regarding the design and cost for a new COMLG Central Office building in Kolonia at the existing site or at the COM-FSM National campus. She will prepare designs and a rough estimate of the cost of the new office at the two locations chosen for the COMLG Executive Director. Devine also had meetings with COM-FSM President Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono and Director of Maintenance Mr. Francisco Mendiola at the COM-FSM National campus in Palikir, Pohnpei FSM, regarding another office location at the COM_FSM National campus in Palikir. The COMLG Executive Director will, in turn, present these designs for discussion at the COMLG Board meeting at Majuro on 16-17. The COM LG Executive Director expresses gratitude and thanks to PCC President Dr. Patrick Tellei for letting COMLG avail the services of PCC Engineer Devine C. Ragundi

Devine Claire Ragundi, PCC Engineer with COM Land Grant Executive Director, Stanley Lorennij at COM Central office in Kolonia, Pohnpei

Current COM Land Grant Central Office location in Kolonia (Site-1)

Survey and discussions at COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir (Site-2)

COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir site view -1

COM-FSM National Campus, Palikir view -2

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets Hon. Daniel Edgar, District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy visit to meet Hon. Daniel Edgar, District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State, at the Nett District Government Office. The Executive Director thanked the Hon. District Administrator for the Nett District Government’s continued support of the COM Land Grant Aquaculture Hatchery and demonstration farms at Nett Point. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, also attended the meeting. 

From left to Right: Stanley Lorrenij, COM Executive Director Hon. Daniel Edgar (District Administrator, Nett District Government, Pohnpei State), Dr. Manoj Nair, Director, and Chief Scientist Aquaculture at the Nett District Administrator’s office in Nett on October 31, 2023.

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.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. Marvin Yamaguchi

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy call to the Speaker of the Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. Mr Marvin Yamaguchi, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, on October 23, 2023. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director of Aquaculture COM Central office, accompanied the Executive Director at this meeting

From left to Right: Stanley Lorrenij, Hon. Marvin Yamaguchi (Speaker of Pohnpei State Legislature), Dr. Manoj Nair, and Honl Speaker’s secretary. Pictured at the Speakers Chambers during a courtesy call on October 19, 2023.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Governor of Pohnpei State, Hon. Reed Oliver

COM Land Grant Executive Director Mr. Stanley Lorennij paid a courtesy call to the Governor of Pohnpei State, Hon. Reed Oliver, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei, on October 19, 2023. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director of Aquaculture COM Central office, and Mr. Hubert Yamada, Director of Resources and Development, were also present at this meeting

Pictured from left to Right: Dr. Manoj Nair, Stanley Lorrenij, Hon. Reed Oliver (Governor of Pohnpei), and Hubert Yamada (Director, Resources and Development). Pictured at the Governor’s office during a courtesy call on October 19, 2023.

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the Administrator, Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA), Pohnpei State, Mr. Dakher Abraham

COM Land Grant Executive Director Stanley Lorennij meets the administrator of the Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture, Pohnpei State, Mr. Dakher Abraham, on October 16, 2023, at his office in Kolonia, Pohnpei. During the courtesy call, the COM Executive Director discussed with the Administrator the commitment of the COM Land Grant Aquaculture program to fulfill the needs of Pohnpei State. He offered full cooperation to the efforts of the OFA to further develop aquaculture in Pohnpei State. Dr. Manoj Nair, Director and Chief Scientist of Aquaculture, also attended the meeting.

Executive Director Stanley Lorennij (left) with OFA Administrator Mr. Dakher Abraham (right) 

Stanley Lorennij takes over as the new COM Land Grant Executive Director.

Mr. Stanley Lorennij took over as the full-time COM Land Grant Executive Director from acting interim executive director and VP COM-FSM Land Grant Steven Young Uhk on October 1, 2023. Earlier, Stanley Lorennij was the VP of CMI Land Grant in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. The position fell vacant when long-time Executive Director Dr. Singeru Singeo retired in March 2023.

Interim COMLG Executive Director Steven Young Uhk (left) and New COM LG Executive Director Stanley Lorennij at the COMLG employees welcoming party at Hideaway Restaurant in Kolonia, Pohnpei

Focus on Food Helps Solve Climate Change

Steven Young-Uhk
Director, Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM

A paper co-authored by Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai (Research Scientist at Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM, Yap Campus) released today by the journal Nature Food presents a new global food system approach to climate change research that brings together agricultural production, supply chains, and consumption. When these activities are considered together, they represent 21 to 37 percent of total human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, the paper notes. It says that this new approach also enables a fuller assessment of the vulnerability of the global food system to increasing droughts, intensifying heatwaves, heavier downpours, and exacerbated coastal flooding. Food system responses thus play a major role in both adapting to and mitigating climate change, the authors assert.

The authors of the paper worked together on the Food Security chapter of the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Climate Change and Land. They represent a wide range of food systems from around the world, from major commodity and livestock producers to smallholder farming systems.

“The global food system approach represents a significant advance in helping producers and consumers plan effective and well-integrated climate change responses,” said Cynthia Rosenzweig, the lead author and head of the Climate Impacts Group at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Concurrent with the paper, FAO is releasing today new emission statistics for the period 1990-2017 that provide the shares of agriculture and related land use in total emissions from all economic sectors, for all countries (http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/EM).

“To address sustainable development and climate challenges, the food system approach helps countries implement a range of context-specific responses on adaptation and mitigation,” said Cheikh Mbow, one of the co-authors and director of Future Africa.

“The food system is under pressure not only from climate change but also from non-climate stressors such as population growth and demand for animal-sourced products. These climate and non-climate stressors are impacting the four pillars of food security. Diversification of fo

Food system components
Food system components, linkages, and outcomes

od system by establishing integrated production systems, broad-based genetic resources and balanced diets incorporating plant-based foods can reduce risks from climate change,” said Dr. Muru.

To respond to climate change via their food systems, countries can now move beyond supply-side mitigation in crop and livestock production, which has been the traditional approach, to encompass demand side strategies, mainly dietary changes.

Food system components, linkages, and outcomes
One answer to the climate crisis is on our plates. Plant-based diets reduce the amount of methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas released by ruminants. They also require less land, thus sparing areas that can be used to plant trees and store more carbon. When both these effects are combined, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas reduction achievable through dietary change is up to 8 billion tons of CO2e per year, say the authors (total anthropogenic emissions are currently about 52 billion tons per year).

Healthy and low-emission diets that are primarily plant-based can also reduce the burden of key non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, say the authors.

Access the paper, here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0031-z

Yap CRE promoted local food production methods during World Food Day 2018

Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM. 

Yap observed World Food Day 2018 on Friday, October 19th. This event was organized by Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council along with local partners. Yap CRE participated in the event showcasing a variety of locally produced fresh vegetables adopting small farm models.

World Food Day is a day of action dedicated to tackling global hunger. Held annually on 16th October, people from around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate worldwide hunger from our lifetime. The theme of this year’s event was “Our Actions Are Our Future: A #ZeroHunger World By 2030 is Possible.”

The new report, State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018 confirms that the number of people suffering from hunger has been growing over the past three years, returning to levels from almost a decade ago. Multiple forms of malnutrition are evident in many countries, including Micronesia, adult obesity is growing even as forms of undernutrition persist. Climate variability and extremes are key drivers behind this rise, together with conflict and economic downturns. The report reveals new challenges on the road to #ZeroHunger, while setting out urgent actions needed to achieve the goal by 2030. The report suggests the need to strengthen local and global food systems to help more children and families access nutritious, affordable and sustainable diets.

Since 2017, Yap CRE is partnering with Catholic Relief Services in ACT on Yap Project to support island communities and smallholders to enhance their agriculture strategies with outreach, technical assistance and extension trainings in climate adaptive techniques to make local food production more resilient to extreme weather events. The ACT on Yap Project participants joined World Food Day 2018 event by displaying and selling their garden produce. This event was also a forum to recruit interested participants to this project. We encourage everyone to engage in community gardening activities to enhance local food production and cater the needs of the island population. This would not only help to attain self-sufficiency but also reduce carbon footprints in the long run.

Whether you are a business, farmer, public servant, or simply someone who is willing to make a change, you can take action for #ZeroHunger!

What can you do to help achieve #ZeroHunger?

  • Do not waste food
  • Produce more with less
  • Adopt a more healthy, sustainable diet
  • Advocate for #zerohunger

A view of Yap CRE booth.

Vegetables on display at Yap CRE booth.

Fresh garden produce from ACT on Yap project participants on sale during the event.

Yap CRE demonstration garden.

Cocopith – An ecofriendly growing choice

Yap, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM. 

As with any garden, soil preparation is what really counts when it comes to growing successfully in containers. It’s the foundation. It’s the staff of life. In other words, selecting a right potting mix for your plants is key to success. Skimp on the soil, you will get weak, non-productive crops that require more work to maintain and are susceptible to all kinds of pest problems.

For years, Yap CRE has been promoting container gardening among communities for growing vegetables owing to some obvious challenges with native soils for field cultivation. The two predominant types of soils – upland soils underlain by volcanic material and upland soils underlain by schist – have different properties and therefore, behave differently and they need different management strategies. In our pursuit of finding a local alternative to soil, we found that coconut husk as an ideal medium for growing plants in containers. Coconut husk is made up of natural fibers called coir along with parenchymatous, spongy material coirpith that binds the fiber in the husk. Being made up of sclerified tissue, coconut fiber as such doesn’t retain much water at all. However, it does two things in the media: it creates aeration through voids it leaves in the coir, and it also gives the media optimal structure to further prevent compaction, which is important to having a healthy root zone. The pith acts like micro sponges where the moisture is stored. The fiber and the pith together make a great media with an excellent air to water ratio.

Over the years, we standardized a method to make a suitable potting mix from discarded coconut husks (click to see fact sheet). See the link for a video of preparing potting mix from coconut husk. We thank Dr. J.B. Friday of CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa for assistance with the flyer and for producing the video.

Yap CRE Outreach Programs – Cultivating Healthy Communities Through Vegetable Gardening

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension. YAP, FSM.

Yap CRE outreach programs continue to enthuse island communities and off-island visitors alike with rich array of climate-smart, nutritious vegetable production systems as demonstrated through participation in the annual cultural celebrations.

Yap celebrated 50th edition of Yap Day from February 28 to March 2, 2018. It is that time of the year when island communities get together to celebrate Yap Island’s most colorful days with traditional dances, crafts, competitions and demonstrations on local development programs.

With continued efforts to reach out to the communities through research, extension and education activities, Yap CRE’s veggie stall showcased various climate smart food production systems and low-cost urban garden models of nutritious vegetables. These climate smart food production systems were developed and tested earlier under a Hatch Project from USDA. Further, these were field tested and scaled up among community settlements across Yap under Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience (CAAR) Project funded by USAID-Pacific American Climate Fund. These vegetable production systems explicitly address climate resilient development through adaptation efforts at the community level that reduces vulnerability by securing nutrition under a changing climate. A variety of nutritious vegetables from Yap CRE demonstration gardens and CAAR Project beneficiaries’ kitchen gardens were on display and sale.

Visiting diplomats, dignitaries, national and state government officials, traditional leaders and other community members commended on Yap CRE’s outreach efforts promoting nutritious vegetables to enhance food and nutrition security of island communities. A great teamwork of CRE staff, ag interns, work-study students and CAAR Project beneficiaries brought success to our participation in Yap Day 2018 celebrations.

Dr. Muru with US Ambassador Robert Riley, US Deputy Chief of Mission Joanne Cummings, Australian Ambassador George Fraser and Japanese Ambassador Ryoichi Horie.

More views of the CRE booth.

DCM Joanne Cummings with Dr. Muru.

More views of the CRE booth.

More views of the CRE booth.

 

Integrated research and outreach on in vitro multiplication, sustainable, organic and climate-smart commercial cultivation of black pepper

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) a flowering vine of Piperaceae family, is valued for its dried berries called peppercorns, which are used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. Native to the humid jungles of the Malabar Coast of Southwestern India, the plant is cultivated in the tropics worldwide. In Micronesia, it is gaining commercial importance as an important cash crop because of premium price. Traditionally, the trunks of two cultivars of large native tree fern (Cyathea nigricans) are used as supports for black pepper cultivation. However, short life-span of these tree ferns along with the rapid decline in their population due to increasing use of tree trunks for construction, is becoming a limitation for commercial black pepper cultivation in the region.

Therefore, to promote sustainable black pepper cultivation in the region, an integrated research, outreach and education project entitled, ‘Black pepper micropropagation for elite seedling production: Comparison of local practices and commercial cultivation methods’ was initiated by the Project Director Dr. Virendra M. Verma. This project is approved and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for Micronesia. This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to develop black pepper micropropagation and nursery management systems to produce and ensure the year-round availability of identical, disease-free and high-quality planting material. The objectives of the project include: finding alternative supports to overcome the limitations caused due to shortage of tree ferns, determining appropriate fertilizer type and doses, along with the development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide appropriate for Micronesia.

This project is first of its kind not only in the Micronesian region but also in the Pacific region because it is integrating and employing multiple latest tools and technologies such as plant biotechnology, horticulture, microbiology, plant physiology and plant pathology for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of black pepper. The project is utilizing plant biotechnological techniques such as in vitro cloning for uniform black pepper plantlet production, greenhouse acclimatization of cloned black pepper plantlets for elite, disease-free seedling production, automatic fertilizer injectors for uniform fertilizer application, and organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients and maintain beneficial soil microorganisms along with appropriate site-specific and climate-smart horticultural, plant physiological and integrated pest management practices. The project activities also include educating local farmers in site-specific sustainable agricultural practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial black pepper production in the region.

Successful execution of project objectives has resulted in the development of a highly efficient and reliable in vitro cloning method for multiplication and production of elite, uniform and diseases-free black pepper plantlets, and acclimatization of hundreds of cloned plantlets into uniform and diseases-free seedlings of a locally preferred and commercially important black pepper cultivar Piper nigrum cv. Srilanka through appropriate nursery management systems.

Considering the extremely limited availability of traditional tree fern supports and their very short lifespan, non-living supports such as reinforced cement-concrete standards have been specifically designed and constructed at pilot site to support the vines of fully acclimatized black pepper plants in the field. In addition, raised beds, which ensure perfect water drainage, organic fertilizers for soil amendment along with organic mulching, and automatic fertilizer injectors which provide perfect nutrition, were used for the establishment and maintenance of black pepper plantations.

Research trials for commercial black pepper cultivation have been designed, and implemented at pilot site, and data collection is in progress for analysis. The outcomes of this analysis would be ultimately used for the development and publication of a commercial cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. The project is also conducting comparative research study of local black pepper cultivation practices and sustainable commercial cultivation methods. Pilot site is being developed and would be used as demonstration site to carry out research, outreach and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial black pepper production among local farmers in the region. Recommendations for sustainable black pepper production would be provided through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days.

The overall aim of the project is to develop sustainable black pepper production systems in Micronesia by providing elite and disease-free seedlings, appropriate recommendations for commercial black pepper production such as sustainable, organic and climate-smart technology and developing skills and improving the agricultural knowledge of local farmers. Adoption of new practices such as micropropagation of black pepper for improved and enhanced productivity will ultimately help in reviving local black pepper industry. Furthermore, this project would provide opportunities for income generation and profitable self-employment to the participating farmers. In addition, the pilot site is serving as an excellent cultivation model to encourage other farmers and rural communities in successfully adopting the sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial black pepper production practices. Enjoy these photos of this project!

In vitro multiplication of black pepper seedling.

Reinforced cement concrete standards or supports.

Soil amendments with organic fertilizers.

Amended soil filled around standards.

Raised beds for crop management and disease-free seedlings.

Establishment of black pepper plants in field.

Black pepper vine training.

Black pepper cultivation and best disease management practices.

Elevated beds for perfect water drainage.

Liquid fertilizer application through fertilizer injector.

Healthy and vigorous black pepper vines – One year old after planting.

Black pepper flowering.

Black pepper fruit setting.

Black pepper vine pruning.

Ready to harvest drupes of black pepper.

Harvested drupes of black pepper.

Close-up of harvested drupes of black pepper.

Processing of black peppercorns.

Close-up of processed black peppercorns.

Close-up of processed white peppercorns.

World Soil Day 2017 – Educating youth about soils and stewardship beneath food “footprints”

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension.

The central theme “Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground,” echoed on December 5, as Yap CRE celebrated World Soil Day 2017 with activities to communicate the messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.

Soils not only produce 95% of the foods we consume, they also have a huge potential for taking carbon from the atmosphere and offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions. Keeping the soil healthy can bring a multitude of gains, from food security to sustainable livelihoods and climate benefits. For all these reasons, it’s high time we celebrate World Soil Day to impart knowledge about soil and the opportunities under our feet.

Lecture on Yap soil properties.

To mark the World Soil Day 2017, Yap CRE conducted soil awareness and training program for about 76 youth from Yap High School. The purpose of involving young people this year was twofold. Firstly, increasing the participation of youth in agriculture is an important means of improving food security, youth livelihoods and employment. Secondly, high rates of migration, high levels of youth unemployment and increasing dependence of imported food prompts to encourage youth participation in agriculture activities as emphasized in Pacific youth in agriculture strategy. Educating youth about soil and its role in supporting life on this planet Earth is crucial.

About 76 young people participated in 3-days training program that involved lectures on soil properties, soil profile, soil organic matter, soil classification and soil management strategies for sustainable agriculture. Field activities involved studies about soil profile and soil organic matter and types and properties of soils prevalent in the region. In addition, World Soil Day 2017 message was also spread to youth and others.

Youth pose for photo after studying soil profile.

In vitro mass-scale, disease-free pineapple seedling production: Research and multiple demonstrations on sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill), a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, is the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family.

Pineapples are delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries for their distinct and unique taste and miraculous health benefits. The health and medicinal benefits of pineapple include the ability to improve respiratory, digestive and immune systems. Pineapple consumption cures coughs and colds, strengthens bones, improves oral health, boosts eye health, increases heart health and blood circulation, reduces inflammation, fights off infections and parasites, prevents cancer, and also helps in losing weight (Szalay, 2014).

‘Pineapple micropropagation and commercial cultivation to enhance productivity in Micronesia’, is an integrated research, outreach and education project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. According to Dr. Virendra M. Verma, the project director of this project, enhancing pineapple production in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) will help in overcoming the regional agricultural challenges primarily, the non-availability of disease-free and uniform seedlings, shortage of trained agricultural professionals, and limited acquaintance of farmers with sustainable, commercial cultivation practices. By providing a means of sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of pineapple, this project will create opportunities of income generation for local farmers, and will ultimately result in improved food self-sufficiency, and nutritional security in the region.

This project with multiple sites across the Micronesian region is first of its kind not only in the Micronesian region but also in the Pacific region because it is integrating and employing multiple latest tools and technologies such as plant biotechnology, horticulture, microbiology, plant physiology and plant pathology for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial cultivation of pineapple. The project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to optimize in vitro multiplication protocol and nursery management systems to produce elite and disease-free pineapple seedlings in bulk quantities in the Micronesian region. The project is utilizing plant biotechnological techniques of in vitro mass-scale cloning for uniform pineapple plantlet production, greenhouse acclimatization of cloned pineapple plantlets for mass-scale, disease-free seedling production, and organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients and maintain beneficial soil microorganisms along with appropriate site-specific and climate-smart horticultural, plant physiological and integrated pest management practices. The project activities also include educating local farmers in site-specific sustainable agricultural practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial pineapple production in the region.

Successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency and reliable, in vitro cloning method for mass multiplication and production of elite, uniform and diseases-free pineapple plantlets, and acclimatization of thousands of cloned plantlets into uniform and diseases-free seedlings of selected pineapple cultivars such as Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean and Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been started for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial pineapple cultivation at multiple sites as well as for collecting data for analysis, and the development and publication of a commercial pineapple cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. Recommendations for sustainable pineapple production are being provided through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days. Three pilot sites in the Micronesian region, specifically in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) are being developed as demonstration sites to carry out research, outreach and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial pineapple production among local farmers in the region.

This project is providing opportunities for income generation and profitable self-employment to the participating farmers. In addition, it is serving as an excellent example to encourage other farmers and rural communities in successfully adopting the sustainable, climate-smart and organic commercial pineapple production practices.

Szalay, J (2014) Pineapple: health benefits, risks & nutrition facts (Live science reference). Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/45487-pineapple-nutrition.html

In vitro cultures of pineapple.

 

In vitro multiplication of pineapple.

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapple cultivar (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapples (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean).

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapples (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian).

 

Pineapple flowering (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian thorn-less).

 

Pineapple demonstration plot.

 

Pineapple research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Hawaiian thorn-less research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Hawaiian research trials.

 

Pineapple cultivar Kosraean research trials.

Yap CRE’s climate smart food production systems feature in 2017 annual Yap Day celebrations

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension.

Yap celebrated its 49th Annual Yap Day from March 1-3, 2017. Yap Day is undoubtedly the most important celebration to acquaint everyone with the Yapese cultural milieu. It is a time of for endless enjoyments: learning about Yapese culture, history, society, and heritage on the ‘island of stone money,’ savoring local food, and acquiring traditional craft souvenirs. The most prevalent form of celebration during the Yap Day Festival is dance. This is also an occasion to highlight education activities and local development programs.

As part of its ongoing research, outreach and extension education, Yap CRE showcased various climate smart food production systems and low-cost urban garden models to impart knowledge about the importance of nutritious vegetables. This was a booth about food and nutrition security, explicitly addressing climate resilient development through adaptation efforts at the community level that reduce vulnerability by securing nutrition under a changing climate. A variety of nutritious fruit and leafy vegetables from CRE demonstration gardens and program clients, including USAID’s Pacific-American Climate Fund project on Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience beneficiaries, were on display and sale. One of the vertical urban garden models – a salad wall – attracted special attention from visitors.

This collective effort of CRE staff, agriculture interns, work-study students, and CAAR project beneficiaries received wide acclaim from visiting dignitaries including the President of the Federated States of Micronesia, U.S. Ambassador, Japanese Ambassador, delegation from the Republic of Palau, and other officials, who were delighted to see a rich display of vegetables. Our booth on climate-smart food production systems was a novelty during this year’s Yap Day.

Views of Yap CRE booth displaying a spectrum of nutritious vegetables and various production methods.

Another view of booth.

 

Yap CRE staff and students taking a stock of vegetables and attending customers.

 

USAID-PACAM Climate Adaptive Agriculture Resilience Project’s beneficiaries displaying fresh home garden produce.

 

Salad wall: A vertical grower made out of re-purposed pallets to grow nutritious salad vegetables.

Highly efficient in vitro multiplication of commercially important black pepper cultivar, and sustainable commercial cultivation in Micronesia

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Black Pepper Micropropagation for Elite Seedling Production: Comparison of Local Practices and Commercial Cultivation Methods, is a multi-state research project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that this project involves multiplication of elite and disease-free black pepper seedlings, and a comparative research study of local practices and commercial cultivation methods. The project aims towards developing sustainable black pepper production systems in Micronesia by providing elite and disease-free seedlings, appropriate recommendations for commercial black pepper production, and developing skills and improving the agricultural knowledge of local farmers. Adoption of new practices such as micropropagation of black pepper for improved and enhanced productivity will ultimately help in reviving local black pepper industry.

This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to develop black pepper micropropagation and nursery management systems to produce elite seedlings in bulk quantities to ensure the year-round availability of identical, disease-free and high quality planting material, find alternatives for tree fern supports, determine appropriate fertilizer type and doses, along with the development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide appropriate for Micronesia.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is a flowering vine of Piperaceae family, which is often cultivated for its berries that are usually dried and used as a spice. Native to the humid jungles of the Malabar Coast of Southwestern India, black pepper is currently cultivated worldwide in the tropics. In Micronesia, it is gaining commercial importance as an important cash crop. Traditionally, the trunks of large native tree fern (Cyathea nigricans), serve as supports for commercial black pepper cultivation. Two cultivars of the tree ferns are traditionally recognized, the preferred cultivar produces juice which stains red, and the other produces a greyish juice. However, the population of these tree ferns in the region is rapidly declining due to use of tree trunks for construction of traditional houses, and their short life-span.

In this project, an economically feasible, efficient, rapid and reproducible in vitro multiplication protocol was developed for a locally preferred and commercially important black pepper cultivar (Piper nigrum cv. Srilanka). Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) was used throughout the study. The cultures were initiated by inoculating shoot meristems as explants on MS medium augmented with various concentrations and combinations of cytokinins and auxins. To prevent the browning of explants, 100mgL-1 ascorbic acid was added to all media. The best culture initiation was observed on the MS medium augmented with 5µM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For further growth and subsequent multiplication, the established cultures were transferred on MS medium augmented with 1µM BAP. The number of multiple shoots produced from each explant after two subcultures varied from 8 to 20. A 16-h photoperiod with a temperature of 24oC day and night, light intensity of 40µmol m-2 s-1, and 60% relative humidity were maintained for multiplication. Developed multiple shoots were transferred on MS medium augmented with 2µM indole-3-acetic acid for rooting. Complete plantlets were transferred to soil: vermiculate (1:1, v/v) mixture in 72-cell trays and acclimatized with 68% survival rate in 10 weeks. Fully acclimatized plants were planted in the field.

Considering the extremely limited availability of traditional tree fern supports and their very short lifespan, non-living supports such as reinforced cement-concrete standards have been specifically designed and constructed at the project’s pilot site to support the vines of fully acclimatized black pepper plants in the field. In addition, raised beds to ensure perfect water drainage, organic fertilizers for soil amendment along with organic mulching, and automatic fertilizer injectors to provide perfect nutrition, were used for the establishment and maintenance of black pepper plantations.

The successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency in vitro multiplication method for the mass production of elite, diseases-free seedlings, and the acclimatization of hundreds of tissue-culture raised plants of selected black pepper cultivar through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been done for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial black pepper cultivation at multiple sites. The development and publication of a commercial black pepper cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers, is also underway. To carry out research, extension, and education activities of the project, two sites in Micronesia will be developed as demonstration sites. At these sites appropriate recommendations will be provided for sustainable black pepper production through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days, which will encourage and promote sustainable commercial black pepper production among local farmers in the region.

To disseminate the scientific and technical knowledge gained from the project further, Dr. Verma has participated as a prominent speaker and resource person in various conferences. His contributions specifically informed abiotic and biotic stress management for sustainable pepper production in Micronesia, and served as a guiding source for other black pepper producing countries.

In-vitro cultures of black pepper.

Acclimatized black pepper plants in nursery.

Reinforced cement concrete standards.

Soil amendments with organic fertilizers around reinforced cement concrete standards.

Soil amendments with organic fertilizers.

Raised bed for perfect water drainage and in vitro multiplied disease-free seedlings.

Establishment of black pepper plants in field.

Dr. Verma contributing valuable scientific and technical knowledge with other black pepper producing countries.

Honoring Dr. Virendra M. Verma as main technical and prominent resource person.

Yap CRE celebrated World Soil Day 2016

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension.

Soil and land degradation is not only a physical or biochemical issue but also linked to socio-economic aspects. Poor and displaced atoll communities in Yap are the most affected by soil and land degradation as they are the ones usually occupying degraded land. Thus, achieving food security and eradicating extreme poverty requires dealing with the complexity of land degradation. Through USAID funded ‘Climate Adaptive Agriculture Resilience Project’, we empower and provide outreach, technical assistance and extension education to displaced atoll communities in volcanic soil management practices to effectively grow a variety of crops in degraded landscapes in Yap.

To commemorate and in support of World Soil Day 2016 (http://www.comfsm.fm/myShark/news/item=1681/mod=09:23:02), Yap CRE conducted two workshops on soil conservation using agroforestry practices. The objectives of these workshops were to impart the knowledge and importance of soils to the humanity and their relationship to sustainable development and food security. Over 50 community members including participants of USAID Project from community settlements in Ruu and Makiy attended this event. Using posters, hands on displays and PowerPoint presentations we educated communities the importance of soils from multiple perspectives. Later, community members from all age groups participated in a tree planting drive across the Makiy settlement (http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/world-soil-day/wsd2016/events/en/).

First 3 winners, last photo, who planted highest number of saplings in one day received gifts of food baskets containing local produce.

And the competition winners are: (from left to right) – Begonia Lemairam, Williana Ilemangshiy and Rose Latachibemang. Bravo!

 

Development of Salt Tolerant Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) through Tissue Culture

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station, Kosrae.

Salinity and drought still remain the major abiotic stresses, which limit and pose a threat to agricultural production in many parts of the world including Micronesia. Dr. Virendra M. Verma’s research project entitled, “In Vitro Selection for Salt Tolerance in Sweet Potato,” is one effort to counteract these abiotic challenges, and contribute in sustainable agricultural production in Micronesian region. Approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), this project focuses on developing salt tolerant varieties of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.). The project director of this project, Dr. Verma, shared that both plant biotechnology and breeding methods were employed for the selection, assessment, and development of salt tolerant Sweet Potato varieties. Sweet Potato, a common food crop in Micronesia, was selected as the focus crop for this project because of its ‘typhoon-proof’ nature. Even after a typhoon(s), the storage roots of sweet potato remain protected under the ground, and can be used to reestablish the crop. Considering the local climatic conditions and socio-cultural demand for Sweet Potato in Micronesia, the development of salt tolerant varieties of the crop in the region, is of great significance.

Spread over a million square miles of the Western Pacific Ocean with a total land area of only about 271 square miles, the Federated States of Micronesia is made up of 607 small islands. Agriculture is an important industry that could greatly help in the economic development and growth through bringing food self-sufficiency in the region. However, current agricultural programs in Micronesia, are mostly at subsistence level, and economic development is largely dependent on the outside world. Serious damage caused by natural calamities such as wave surges, salt water flooding, and drought, continually pose challenges for the local farmers. Moreover, lack of technical know-how and changing life style along with the food habits of islanders, leading to an increase in the consumption of imported foodstuff; have led to an overall decline in local agricultural production in the region.

With the effects of global climate change and the increasing occurrence of natural disasters, farmers must be made aware of, and trained to adopt preventative measures to minimize impact of these disasters on their agricultural operations. Of all the cultivated root and tuber crops, sweet potato is probably the best at adapting quickly to new conditions. But still, its growth and development can be affected by adverse environmental conditions such as frequent wave surges and salt spray. Salinity, an abiotic stress that combines elements of water deficiency and sodium toxicity resulting in lost crop yield and arable land, is among the most serious and widespread of agricultural problems on the Micronesian islands. Hence, the focus of this project is to develop salt tolerant varieties of sweet potato.

Sweet potato ranks seventh in the world among food crops with respect to annual production, and it is the fifth most important food crop in developing countries. It is a highly functional low calorie food that contains various key nutrients. Every sweet potato contains high levels of starch, along with abundant vitamins (B-carotene, B1, C and E), minerals (Potassium) and dietary fiber (such as cellulose and pectin). To meet the ever-increasing demands of this nutritionally-rich and culturally-preferred food crop, there is crucial need to increase its agricultural production.

The cultivation of sweet potato is becoming more and more important with each passing day as the crop has great potential as food product. It needs a few inputs and has potentially high yields, which make it an inexpensive food. In addition, it is well suited for processing into food products for people and animals alike. Considered as the crucial staple crops for ensuring food, nutritional, and economic security, sweet potatoes are placed on high agricultural priority in the Micronesian region. However, the limitations in availability of salt-tolerant germplasm, and disease-free and elite seedlings, are a major bottleneck in sweet potato production. The ability to successfully grow sweet potato for sustenance in Micronesia depends on availability of salt tolerant varieties and on skillful use of appropriate cultivation techniques.

The study undertaken in Dr. Verma’s this research project, involved the assessment and development of salt tolerance in sweet potato through in vitro, greenhouse, and field selection of tissue-culture raised plants. To establish aseptic cultures of collected sweet potato germplasm, various in vitro experiments were performed. Different concentrations of sodium chloride were used for in vitro selection of salt tolerant germplasm, which was further evaluated for salt tolerance in the greenhouse., In vitro selected germplasm of salt tolerant sweet potato was finally field evaluated at eight sites in four replications. Results based on various physiological and morphological parameters collected during this research indicate that the developed salt tolerant varieties of sweet potato performed very well at coastal sites where salt spray due to high wave surges is very frequent. The findings of this research are being disseminated locally and globally through presentations in national and international conferences. To provide local farmers and producers with guidelines for cultivating sweet potato, an extension publication in form of a book entitled, “Sweet Potato Cultivation Guide,” has been published.

Invitro cultures of salt-tolerant sweet potato.
Invitro cultures of salt-tolerant sweet potato.

salt-tolerant-sweet-potato-in-field-for-evaluation
Salt-tolerant sweet potato-in-field for evaluation.

The cultivation of developed salt tolerant sweet potato varieties in Micronesia through this research project will lead to successful production of sweet potato in the region, and contribute in sustaining traditional socio-cultural life of the Micronesian people, and thereby, play a critical role in ensuring food and nutritional security of the region.  Examples of raw and cooked test varieties are below.  Recently, many countries have embraced sweet potato as a substitute for imported carbohydrates and for attaining national food security goals. The crop is also gaining importance as a key income earner for many small-scale producers, and a foreign exchange earner for many countries. As such, there is a growing global demand for sweet potato. It is our hope that the outcomes of this research will provide current and potential farmers and producers with practical information that will assist in developing sustainable crop production systems, and increasing productivity of sweet potato in Micronesia and beyond.

Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm - cultivar 1.
Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 1.

steamed-salt-tolerant-sweet-potato-germplasm-for-taste-evaluation-1
Steamed salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 1.

 

Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm - cultivar 2.
Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 2.

steamed-salt-tolerant-sweet-potato-germplasm-for-taste-evaluation-2
Steamed salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 2.

 

Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm - cultivar 3.
Selected salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 3.

steamed-salt-tolerant-sweet-potato-germplasm-for-taste-evaluation-3
Steamed salt-tolerant-sweet potato germplasm – cultivar 3.

Yap CRE participated in the World Food Day 2016 celebrations

YAP, FSM. Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist, Cooperative Research and Extension.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization. This year, World Food Day was exceptionally celebrated on 14 October. The theme of this year’s World Food Day was “Climate is changing. Food and Agriculture must too.”  Photos of this great event are below!

One of the biggest issues related to climate change is food security. Population in the small island developing states are being hit hardest by higher temperatures and in weather-related disasters. These disasters are intensified by climate change and are increasing in frequency and intensity. Without concerted action to build resilience, many of the poorest and most vulnerable island inhabitants will struggle to generate enough food and income to feed themselves and their families.

The Cooperative Research and Extension (CRE) wing of the College of Micronesia-FSM, Yap Campus participated in the World Food Day 2016 activities with usual fervor. This year, Yap observed World Food Day along with the International Day for Disaster Reduction at Yap’s Living History Museum premises. Besides Yap CRE, Yap Interagency Nutrition Education Council (YINEC), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Waab Community Health Program attended this event. Yap State organizing committee for Food Security and Catering for the upcoming 2018 Micronesian Games also participated in the event by displaying and testing out samples of healthy menus for public comments and feedback.

As part of the celebrations, Yap CRE exhibited various vegetable cultivation models and climate-smart, low-cost food production systems. The highlight of this year’s event was the involvement of participants from USAID funded Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience Project. Participants displayed and sold various farm produce grown in their home gardens as part of this project.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) of Yap CRE displayed various value added products made from local produce such as mango jelly, pumpkin jam, native orange jelly, hibiscus jelly, breadfruit flour, breadfruit chips and banana chips. Loaves of bread, pastries and cookies made from breadfruit flour attracted special attention of the public.

Photos of World Food Day on Yap! 
View of CRE Booth. Fresh veggies attracted the attention of public.
 photo-2-350 photo-3-350
 More, fresh veggies attracted the attention of public. Some of the participants of USAID Project – Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience.
 photo-4-350  photo-5-350
Participants of USAID Project displayed and sold various small farm produce besides vegetables. Loaves of bread made out of breadfruit flour.
 photo-6-350 photo-7-350
 More, loaves of bread made out of breadfruit flour.  Pastries and cookies made out of breadfruit flour.
 photo-8-350  photo-9-350
Healthy lunch plates prepared by Food Security and Catering Committee for the 2018 Micronesian Games.  More healthy lunch plates.
 photo-10-350  photo-11-350
More healthy lunch plates.  More healthy lunch plates.
 photo-12-350 photo-13-350
More healthy lunch plates. Healthy lunch plates from YINEC.
 photo-14-350 photo-15-360

 

 

Yap CRE conducted two workshops on chicken farming and food processing

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

Yap CRE conducted a three-day workshop on chicken farming between August 3 and 5. Twenty-seven participants including extension agents, agriculture professionals, farmers, men and women attended the workshop. On the first day, participants learned about best practices on caring for a day-old chicks, feeding and caring of pullets, and laying hens. Additionally, Yap Small Business Development Center made a presentation and held discussions on the cost/benefit analysis of raising chickens for eggs in Yap. On the second day, hands-on training on local feed processing for laying hens was provided. The 3rd day of the workshop was devoted to field trip in which participants were introduced to several family chicken farms, giving them firsthand information about the layout, housing designs, types of waterers and feeders, litter materials, and different ways for nesting and roosting.

The second workshop on food processing was conducted from August 16 to 18. Altogether 44 participants including extension staffs, agriculture professionals, school teachers, business owners, food processors and farmers attended this workshop. This three-day event exposed participants to method of processing breadfruit into flour, local method of preserving breadfruit through fermentation called mar, and uses of flour in several recipes. Several products made from breadfruit flour, taro flour and banana flour were on display. Information on breadfruit including propagation methods, uses and value-addition, marketing, and nutritional and health benefits were also presented.

The Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) through the College of Micronesia-Land Grant Program supported these workshops.

A typical backyard chicken farm for the family; a fenced area to provide protection and space for birds to range and makeshift shelters for roosting, nesting, waterer and feeders.
A typical backyard chicken farm for the family; a fenced area to provide protection and space for birds to range and makeshift shelters for roosting, nesting, waterer and feeders.

 

Presentation on caring and feeding of pullets and layers during the workshop on chicken farming.
Presentation on caring and feeding of pullets and layers during the workshop on chicken farming.

 

Locally made chicken feed.
Locally made chicken feed.

 

Locally processed food items on display during food processing workshop.
Locally processed food items on display during food processing workshop.

 

Locally processed food products.
Locally processed food products.

Participants tried out locally made breadfruit flour in many cooking recipes.
Participants tried out locally made breadfruit flour in many cooking recipes.

Yap CRE researcher bags international award

YAP FSM.

Dr Muru with his award.
Dr Muru with his award.

Dr. Murukesan Krishnapillai, Researcher/Extension Specialist from the Cooperative Research and Extension, College of Micronesia-FSM Yap Campus won one of the two top prizes for Best Papers Awards during the two-day Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific Region held on July 27-28 at Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka, Fiji. This symposium was organized by the University of Fiji in collaboration with the Research and Transfer Centre “Applications of Life Sciences” of the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and the International Climate Change Information Program (ICCIP). It focused on “fostering resilience and the regional capacity to adapt” showcasing experiences from research, field projects and best practices in climate change adaptation among countries in the region and that could be replicated elsewhere. The event was held in conjunction with USAID Pacific American Climate Fund Midterm Regional Workshop on Grant Implementation Challenges, Achievements and Best Practices. The College of Micronesia-FSM Yap CRE is one of the grantees, and through their USAID funded Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Resilience project is working to make displaced atoll communities more resilient and able to respond to crises magnified by the changing climate.

Dr. Muru’s paper on “Climate-friendly adaptation strategies for the displaced atoll population in Yap” won the second prize in the Best Papers Award category. The paper will be published in the upcoming book on “Climate Change Adaptation in Pacific Countries: Fostering Resilience and Maintaining Life Quality” as part of the award-winning book series ‘Climate Change Management’ published by Springer http://www.springer.com/series/8740.

Caption for front picture:
Dr. Muru receives award from Dr. Arthur Webb, Coastal Zone Scientist at University of Wollongong’s Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, and one of the Lead Authors of IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report on Small Islands.

COM’s RMI Regent Minister Heine Visits Sea Cucumber Hatchery

KOLONIA, POHNPEI, FSM. Dr. Manoj R. Nair, Director & Chief Scientist, COM Land Grant Aquaculture Programs, Nett Point, Pohnpei, FSM.

College of Micronesia Land Grant Program (NIFA, USDA) (COMLG), Board of Regents Member & Minister of Education Republic of the Marshall Islands Mr. Wilbur Heine and College of Marshall Islands Dean of Land Grant Mr. Biuma Samson visited Pohnpei from June 5-7, 2016.

Left to Right OFA Administrator Mr. Casiano Shoniber, Dean CMI Land Grant Biuma Samson, RMI Ambassador to Washington DC Mr. Gerald Zackios,, Director and Chief Scientist COM Aquaculture , Dr. Manoj R. Nair , Minister of Education RMI and COM Board Member, Mr. Wilbur Heine in front of the COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery at Nett Point, Pohnpei State.
Left to Right OFA Administrator Mr. Casiano Shoniber, Dean CMI Land Grant Biuma Samson, RMI Ambassador to Washington DC Mr. Gerald Zackios, Director and Chief Scientist COM Aquaculture, Dr. Manoj R. Nair , Minister of Education RMI and COM Board Member, Mr. Wilbur Heine in front of the COM Land Grant Nett Point Hatchery at Nett Point, Pohnpei State.

The main purpose of the visit was to visit the COM Land Grant Aquaculture Program at the COM Land Grant Nett Point hatchery. The COM Land Grant hatchery at Nett Point is currently developing site specific aquaculture technologies for economic development of FSM and Palau. The main focus currently is on sea cucumber aquaculture. The targeted species is the commercially important sea cucumber species Holothuria scabra commonly called sandfish and locally called “Langon” in Pohnpeian language. The sea cucumber farming tehnology being developed and trialed is based on hatchery produced sea cucumber juveniles.

Minister Wilbur Heine wanted to actually see the work being undertaken hands on by the local staff under the supervision of Dr. Nair. Minister Wilbur Heine and Dean Biuma Sampson had discussions with Dr. Nair to explore the possibility of coming over and establishing a sea cucumber hatchery in Majuro at the CMI Arrak Campus aquaculture facility and train Marshallese staff at COM Land Grant Nett Point hatchery on sea cucumber. These staff are expected to run the hatchery in Majuro when finished and up and running.

During the visit at Nett Point, Minster Wilbur Heine and Dean Biuma Samson also had the opportunity to meet the new Adiminstrator of Pohnpei State Government Office of the Fisheries and Aquaculture (OFA) Mr. Casiano Shoniber. The Minister Wilbur Heine and Dean CMI Land Grant was accompanied by Former Secreteriat of Pacific Community (SPC) Northern Region Chief and the new Republic of the Marshall Islands Ambassador to Washington DC, Mr Gerald Zackios.

Development of Salt tolerant giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Schott) and soft taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) through tissue culture

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station.

Salinity and drought still remain the major abiotic stresses that limit as well as pose a threat to agricultural production in many parts of the world including Micronesia. The research project entitled, “In Vitro Selection for Salt Tolerance in Taro,” focused on developing salt tolerant varieties of giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii (Hassk.) Schott), and soft taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott). Approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), this project incorporated both plant biotechnology and breeding methods for the selection, assessment, and development of salt tolerant taro varieties. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that since taro is grown in lowland swamp areas across Micronesia, the crop is especially vulnerable to damage from saltwater. Considering the traditional and cultural importance given to giant swamp taro and soft taro as the most important staple food crops in the Micronesia region, the availability of salt tolerant taro varieties through this research project, is of great significance.

Giant swamp taro and soft taro, members of the family Araceae, are ancient crops that are grown throughout the humid tropics for their edible corms, leaves and petioles as well as for traditional uses. Nutritionally, taro is rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. The corms of taro are superior to potatoes in nutritional value, containing a higher proportion of proteins, calcium and phosphorus. The vitamin B content in taro corms is equivalent to that of cabbage and twice that of potato. Taro also contains greater amounts of vitamin B-complex than whole milk. In corms, the main bulk starch is present in very fine grains which make them easily digestible. The corms can be boiled, roasted, fried as chips or cooked in curries. The young leaves and petioles of soft taro are also used as food and cooked like any other green vegetable. The cooked leaves of soft taro have the same nutritional value of spinach.

Salinity, an abiotic stress that combines elements of water deficiency and sodium toxicity resulting in lost crop yield and arable land, is among the most serious and widespread of agricultural problems on the Micronesian islands. Giant swamp taro and soft taro are among the most important staple food crops in the region. Cultivated for local consumption as well as for export, these crops contribute significantly to the regional socio-economic growth and provide livelihood to almost all island people. Considered as the crucial staple crops for ensuring food, nutritional, and economic security, taros are placed on high agricultural priority in the region. However, the limitations in availability of salt-tolerant germplasm, and disease-free and elite seedlings, are a major bottleneck in taro production. Therefore, the efforts to develop salt-tolerant plants are of immense importance to increase crop productivity. In recent years, tissue culture based in vitro selection has emerged as a feasible and cost-effective tool for developing and/or screening salt tolerant germplasm.

The research study undertaken in Dr. Verma’s project involved assessment and development of salt tolerance in giant swamp taro and soft taro through in vitro, greenhouse, and field selection of tissue-culture raised plants. To establish aseptic cultures of collected taro germplasm, various in vitro experiments were performed. Different concentrations of sodium chloride were used for in vitro selection of salt tolerant germplasm. This in vitro selected germplasm was further evaluated for salt tolerance in the greenhouse, and was finally field evaluated at eight sites in four replications. In vitro selected germplasm of salt tolerant taros performed very well at coastal sites. Results based on various physiological and morphological parameters collected during this research are presented in international conferences, and a manuscript is under preparation to be published in peer-reviewed and reputed scientific journals.

The cultivation of the developed salt tolerant taro varieties in the Micronesian region through this research project would not only lead to the successful production of taro but would also contribute for the food and nutritional security of the region, and thereby, play a critical role in the preservation of traditional socio-cultural life of the Micronesian people.

In vitro cultures of salt tolerant soft taro.
In vitro cultures of salt tolerant soft taro.

Salt tolerant soft taros in field for evaluation.
Salt tolerant soft taros in field for evaluation.

 

In vitro cultures of salt tolerant giant swamp taro.
In vitro cultures of salt tolerant giant swamp taro.

Salt tolerant giant swamp taros in field for evaluation.
Salt tolerant giant swamp taros in field for evaluation.

High efficiency micropropagation of pineapple for mass-scale elite seedling production

KOSRAE, FSM. Dr. Virendra M. Verma, Researcher and Extension Specialist, Kosrae Agricultural Experiment Station

Pineapple Micropropagation and Commercial Cultivation to Enhance Productivity in Micronesia, is a multi-state research project approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) for the Micronesian region. The project director of this project, Dr. Virendra M. Verma, shared that this project focuses on enhancing pineapple production in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) because non-availability of disease-free and elite seedlings, shortage of trained agricultural professionals, and limited acquaintance of farmers with commercial cultivation techniques have significantly restricted pineapple production in the Micronesian region. The ultimate aim of this project is to create opportunities of income generation for local farmers through providing a means of sustainable commercial pineapple cultivation, and thereby, improve food self-sufficiency, and nutritional security in the Micronesian region.

This project is of great significance as it is specifically designed to optimize micropropagation protocol and nursery management systems to produce elite and disease-free pineapple seedlings in bulk quantities in the Micronesian region. The project utilized biotechnological techniques for micropropagation and greenhouse acclimatization of tissue-cultured plants. The project activities also include educating local farmers in sustainable agriculture practices, and providing appropriate recommendations and training for commercial pineapple production.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merrill), a tropical plant with edible multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries, is the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae family. The project involved undertaking a research study to develop an economically feasible, efficient, rapid and reproducible multiplication protocol for two local commercially important pineapple cultivars (Ananas comosus cv. Kosraean and Ananas comosus cv. Hawaiian). A highly efficient in vitro multiplication method for both cultivars was developed by using apical and lateral meristems. Murashige and Skoog, 1962 medium (MS) was used throughout the study. The cultures were initiated on MS medium augmented with various combinations and concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The medium augmented with 4.5µM BAP and 2µM NAA proved best for culture establishment. For further growth and subsequent multiplication, established cultures were first transferred on MS medium augmented with 9µM BAP and 3.5µM NAA, and later on the MS medium without any growth regulators. The number of multiple shoots produced from each explant after two subcultures varied from 18 to 35. A 16-h photoperiod with a temperature of 25oC day and night, light intensity of 80µmol m-2 s-1, and 60% relative humidity were maintained for multiplication. Many micropropagated shoots formed roots while they were still on the multiplication medium. However, maximum rooting was observed on MS medium augmented with 0.5µM NAA and 0.5µM BAP. Rooted plants were transferred to soil: compost (10:1, v/v) mixture in pots and acclimatized with 93% survival rate. Hundreds of fully acclimatized, tissue-culture produced pineapple plants are ready to be planted in the field.

Successful implementation of this project has resulted in the development of a high efficiency micropropagation method for mass production of elite, diseases-free seedlings, and acclimatization of hundreds of tissue-culture raised plants of selected pineapple varieties through appropriate nursery management systems. Preparation has been started for designing, implementing and conducting research trials for commercial pineapple cultivation at multiple sites as well as for collecting data for analysis, and the development and publication of a commercial pineapple cultivation guide to specifically suit the needs of local farmers. Recommendations will be provided for sustainable pineapple production through training workshops, hands-on trainings, farm visits, and field days. Three pilot sites in the Micronesian region, specifically in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) will be developed as demonstration sites to carry out research, extension, and education activities of the project to encourage and promote sustainable commercial pineapple production among local farmers in the region.

Acclimatization of pineapple plantlets in greenhouse
Acclimatization of pineapple plantlets in greenhouse.

Acclimatized pineapple plants in nursery.
Acclimatized pineapple plants in nursery.

 

Acclimatized pineapple plants ready for field transfer.
Acclimatized pineapple plants ready for field transfer.

 

 

 

Yap CRE Researcher conferred with prestigious fellowship

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. 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 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.

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

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).