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

2008 Annual Report for EW05-004

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2005: $37,362.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2005
Region: Western
State: Federated States of Micronesia
Principal Investigator:
Nacanieli Tuivavalagi
College of the Marshall Islands

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

Summary

This project was developed mainly to address the low level of agricultural knowledge and
skills of farmers and service providers in the Marshall Islanders.
The proposal was developed by Dr. Virendra Verma who left the Marshall Islands before the
official start of the project. The new agriculture scientist, Dr. Nat Tuivavalagi took over as
Project Investigator but due to personal problems, he did not stay long – resulting in some
challenges to the implementation of the project. However, despite this and other problems, the
project was successfully concluded and the basic objectives, outputs and outcomes as spelt out
in the original proposal were achieved.
An important achievement of the project is the establishment and development of
partnerships between CRE Land Grant staff and others involved in the project. There were
discussions of the development of collaborative project proposals (between CRE Land Grant
staff and others) during the one week workshop conducted during this project. This initiative
may take longer to bear fruit ant this should be able to be evaluated in the post-project
evaluation to be conducted six months after the conclusion of the project. Nevertheless,
informal and formal evaluations carried out during the project period confirmed that this
project has “hit the nail on the head” as participants were very happy with the training
delivered. However, more work needs to be done and this report has come up with a list of
recommended follow-up activities.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The proposal had the following four specific objectives:

1. To educate and train extension agents, state government agricultural staff, agricultural
professionals and members of NGO’s and farm associations in on-farm implementation of
sustainable management systems for tropical atoll agriculture by training workshops (including
PowerPoint presentations and hands-on trainings), and field days (on-site demonstration visits
of successful trials).

2. To organize one-day brainstorming audio-visual conference on “sustainable atoll
agriculture: needs, management strategies and future potential” for the participants before the
training workshops on each site.

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

4. To develop and distribute videotape on sustainable compost preparation, use and
advantages of composting, and atoll soil fertility management through composting in English
and local language.

Project Outputs:

The proposal had the following three outputs:

1. Audience/ Participants

a. Ten (10) participants/atoll x 8 atolls = 80 participants
b. Participants include extension agents, state government agricultural staff, agricultural
professionals, and members of NGOs and farm associations.

2. Activities and Methods

a. One-day brainstorming at each of the 8 sites.
b. One-week training workshop at each of the 8 sites.
c. Set up an email account to hear problems, recommend solutions, disseminate
information and coordinate project activities.

3. Products

a. Handouts, production guides, brochures in the English and local language on sustainable
farming.
b. Partnership involving Project Team and participants.

Methods

2. Activities and Methods

a. One-day brainstorming at each of the 8 sites.
b. One-week training workshop at each of the 8 sites.
c. Set up an email account to hear problems, recommend solutions, disseminate
information and coordinate project activities.

Proposed Outcomes

The proposed outcomes for the participants and the communities were as follows:

1. Proposed outcomes for the 80 participants:

o Increased knowledge and awareness
o Increased skills
o Apply gained knowledge and skills in the field
o Able to organize training, teach farmers and provide technical assistance
o Develop positive attitudes, zeal for learning new techniques, farming aspects and behavioral
change

2. Proposed outcomes for the participants’ communities:

o Gain new source of information
o Increased knowledge and awareness
o Increase in sustainable atoll agriculture
o Increased economic viability

Accomplishments/Milestones

Achievements

The targeted communities in Majuro and outer atolls/islands were visited and the following
activities were carried out:

• Meeting (including a combination of brainstorming session and workshop presentations)
• Field demonstration of strategies (composting, nursery production, home vegetable
garden production)
• Formation of farming groups including election of leaders
• Distribution of farm implements (wheel barrow, spades, forks, machetes, rakes, pick-ax)
and seeds and other types of planting materials
• Distribution of printed materials
In addition, the following activities were carried out in Majuro:
• A one-day brainstorming session
• A one-week workshop including 3 days of powerpoint presentations and two days of field
practical sessions
The targeted communities in Majuro and outer atolls/islands were visited and the following
activities were carried out:
• Meeting (including a combination of brainstorming session and workshop presentations)
• Field demonstration of strategies (composting, nursery production, home vegetable garden
production)
• Formation of farming groups including election of leaders
• Distribution of farm implements (wheel barrow, spades, forks, machetes, rakes, pick-axe) and
seeds and other types of planting materials
• Distribution of printed materials
In addition, the following activities were carried out in Majuro:
• A one-day brainstorming session
• A one-week workshop including 3 days of powerpoint presentations and two days of field
practical sessions
Despite the problems and constraints faced, the basic/ original objectives, outputs and
outcomes were achieved as discussed below.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The impacts included training in sustainable agriculture practices to participants from the various atolls/islands, and Extension agents, state government agricultural staff, agricultural professionals, and members of NGOs and farm associations.
• Setting up of an email account to hear problems, recommend solutions, disseminate information and coordinate project follow-up activities.
• Production of Handouts, production guides, brochures in the English and local language – on
sustainable farming
. Partnership involving Project Team and participants

Collaborators:

Arwan Soson

Mr.
College of the Marshall Islands
USDA Land Grant Program
P.O. Box 1258
Majuro, MH 96960
Office Phone: 6925285034
Jabukja Aikne

Agriculture Extension Agent
College of the Marshall Islands
Majuro, MH 96960