Training on On-Farm Implementation of Sustainable Management Systems for Tropical Atoll Agriculture in the Marshall Islands

Training on On-Farm Implementation of Sustainable Management Systems for Tropical Atoll Agriculture in the Marshall Islands

Summary

The project is basically to conduct training for trainers. However, it also includes a component for preparing materials (e.g. brochures) to be used for education, training and extension purposes.

Project implementation was delayed by departure of the original coordinator and the delay in recruitment of the new one. Furthermore the new coordinator, Dr. Nacanieli Tuivavalagi, has been heavily involved in teaching and training activities till December 18, 2006. For this reason, the implementation and completion of this project is expected to be delayed by 18 months. Accordingly, a revised workplan has been prepared and no major problem is expected from now onwards.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objectives of the project are as follows.

Firstly, to educate and train extension agents, state government agricultural staff, agricultural professionals, and members of non-profit organizations and farm associations in on-farm implementation of sustainable management systems.

Secondly, to run a 1-day brainstorming conference followed by a 4-day training workshop at 8 selected training sites all over the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Thirdly, to develop, publish and distribute sustainable farming and production guides, easy-to-understand handouts, and informative brochures in English and the local language.

Fourthly to develop and distribute a videotape on sustainable compost preparation, use and advantages of composting, and atoll soil fertility management through composting in English and the local language.

Accomplishments/Milestones

An important milestone was accomplished when official approval was given on May 16, 2006 allowing Dr. Nacanieli Tuivavalagi to take over as Project Coordinator/ Collaborator Project Director.

With regard to the project as a whole, a revised workplan has been prepared. This is to be confirmed or finalized in the meeting of the Project Team scheduled for January, 2007.

With regard to the first objective, potential topics to cover in the training and potential trainees have been identified. This is to be confirmed or finalized in the meeting of the Project Team scheduled for January, 2007. Once training topics are confirmed, the remaining work will be to prepare materials to be used in the trainings.

With regard to the second objective, potential topics for conference and workshop have been identified. The eight training sites have been identified in the original proposal; however, due to recent developments, these training sites are being reconsidered. This is to be confirmed or finalized in the meeting of the Project Team scheduled for January, 2007. Once topics for the conferences and workshops are confirmed, the remaining work is to prepare materials to be used in the conferences and workshops.

With regard to the third objective, potential topics and contents of guides, handouts and brochures have been identified. Furthermore five staff of the Land Grant Program were invited to a short course on Adobe Photoshop – through our collaboration with the DSAP (Development of Sustainable Agriculture in the Pacific) Project of SPC (Secretariat of the Pacific Community). The remaining work is to prepare the guides, handouts and brochures – and these should start by February 2007.

With regard to the fourth objective, content of the video has been prepared. This is to be confirmed or finalized in the meeting of the Project Team scheduled for January, 2007. The remaining work is to actually make the video production in collaboration with a local studio. Work on these should start by February 2007.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The project will increase knowledge, create awareness and develop skills of 80 participants, 10 participants from each workshop site, in sustainable atoll agriculture systems. The project will make participants capable to organize training, teach the farmers and provide technical assistance, and apply gained knowledge and skills in the field. Ultimately the project will develop positive attitudes, zeal for learning techniques and farming aspects and change the behavior of the participants. Developed sustainable farming and production guides, easy-to-understand handouts, informative brochures, and videotape will not only increase awareness and knowledge of the participants but also serve as important source of information and will increase awareness and knowledge of the whole farmers’ community that will help in developing sustainable atoll agriculture system, an economically viable system.

Collaborators: