Wednesday, January 9, 2008
WISARD Project Server - project# 2988
Development of the agricultural programme at the University of Asmara (CAAS-UoA). Funding, -, ALTERRA ( WUR: DLO: Alterra - Research Institute for the Green ...
WISARD Project Server - project# 2988
Development of the agricultural programme at the University of Asmara (CAAS-UoA). Funding, -, ALTERRA ( WUR: DLO: Alterra - Research Institute for the Green ...
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme
Problem overview:
Awareness and visions: Countries that receive major income from agricultural need efficient agricultural practicing techniques otherwise problems of low productivity might occur from deteriorating environmental condition, such as poor soil quality. This is why the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme has been set up, to look agricultural practices in the region.
Training and educational initiatives: Training programmes have been successful in other countries in increasing productivity of the agricultural industry. The Pacific island region is also trying to improve its productivity and in the same time promote sustainable agricultural practices through the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme.
Background:
In terms of employment, agriculture is the major economic activity in all the Pacific islands. At present, increasing populations and inefficient subsistence garden techniques have lead to constant encroachment of farms onto marginal land areas unsuited to agriculture but essential for the protection of watersheds and biodiversity. There is an urgent need throughout the region to improve subsistence gardening techniques to increase productivity and reduce soil erosion and infertility.
The Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme is the region's premier technical support, co-ordination and networking body. Headquartered in Suva, Fiji, the project has 18 professional officers and 13 support staff. There are subsidiary offices in Phonpei, FSM, Honiara, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa.
The major programmes include coconut and banana production and diversification, animal health and animal production, plant protection (primarily Integrated Pest Management, Biological Pest Control, and Quarantine procedures). The SPC maintains an active agriculture library, produces training manuals, and publishes a number of agricultural documents including the SPC Agricultural News, Agricultural Literature Alert, and Agriculture Alerts (on pest outbreaks). It maintains an agricultural database called PROCITE with 12,774 entries, and databases on sustainable development experts and information services. The SPC Information Service responds to requests by fax, telephone, correspondence, or email.
Government initiatives to increase local food production include integrated cultivation of fruit, vegetables and legumes with traditional mixed root crop farming systems and agroforestry. However, past training in intensive monoculture techniques, and the ready availability of pesticides and tractors, has subverted many of these attempts. The SPC and Pacific Sustainable Development Network Project actively promoted biological controls, preventative quarantine measures and integrated pest control.
The SPC also has a Community Education Training Centre (CETC), based in Suva, Fiji, that trains women community workers in sustainable development activities, including agriculture, food and nutrition, and media communication skills. CETC trainees participate in planning and implementing change in villages.
However, most farmers have serious debts and food prices have escalated rapidly in the past decade. Island farmers are more interested in paying off their loans as quickly as possible than improving local food supplies. Some farmers believe the new government attempts to promote sustainable agriculture is a ploy to let other farmers capture lucrative foreign market opportunities.
Awareness and visions: Countries that receive major income from agricultural need efficient agricultural practicing techniques otherwise problems of low productivity might occur from deteriorating environmental condition, such as poor soil quality. This is why the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme has been set up, to look agricultural practices in the region.
Training and educational initiatives: Training programmes have been successful in other countries in increasing productivity of the agricultural industry. The Pacific island region is also trying to improve its productivity and in the same time promote sustainable agricultural practices through the Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme.
Background:
In terms of employment, agriculture is the major economic activity in all the Pacific islands. At present, increasing populations and inefficient subsistence garden techniques have lead to constant encroachment of farms onto marginal land areas unsuited to agriculture but essential for the protection of watersheds and biodiversity. There is an urgent need throughout the region to improve subsistence gardening techniques to increase productivity and reduce soil erosion and infertility.
The Secretariat for the Pacific Community's agricultural programme is the region's premier technical support, co-ordination and networking body. Headquartered in Suva, Fiji, the project has 18 professional officers and 13 support staff. There are subsidiary offices in Phonpei, FSM, Honiara, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Samoa.
The major programmes include coconut and banana production and diversification, animal health and animal production, plant protection (primarily Integrated Pest Management, Biological Pest Control, and Quarantine procedures). The SPC maintains an active agriculture library, produces training manuals, and publishes a number of agricultural documents including the SPC Agricultural News, Agricultural Literature Alert, and Agriculture Alerts (on pest outbreaks). It maintains an agricultural database called PROCITE with 12,774 entries, and databases on sustainable development experts and information services. The SPC Information Service responds to requests by fax, telephone, correspondence, or email.
Government initiatives to increase local food production include integrated cultivation of fruit, vegetables and legumes with traditional mixed root crop farming systems and agroforestry. However, past training in intensive monoculture techniques, and the ready availability of pesticides and tractors, has subverted many of these attempts. The SPC and Pacific Sustainable Development Network Project actively promoted biological controls, preventative quarantine measures and integrated pest control.
The SPC also has a Community Education Training Centre (CETC), based in Suva, Fiji, that trains women community workers in sustainable development activities, including agriculture, food and nutrition, and media communication skills. CETC trainees participate in planning and implementing change in villages.
However, most farmers have serious debts and food prices have escalated rapidly in the past decade. Island farmers are more interested in paying off their loans as quickly as possible than improving local food supplies. Some farmers believe the new government attempts to promote sustainable agriculture is a ploy to let other farmers capture lucrative foreign market opportunities.
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