South Pacific Agricultural News—Institute for Research, Extension & Training in Agriculture Span

IRETA

SPAN Vol. 41, No. 7 July 2016 ISSN 1015 - 950

SAFT at Laucala Campus won FBE Open Day Best Display Prize for 2016

he School of Agriculture and Food Technology’s (SAFT) 2016 Open Day booth was buzzling with activi- ties and students were drawn from exhibits to exhibits trying to capture the different aspects of agri- T culture in the limited time period that they were able to go through the marquee. This year, the theme of the SAFT’s Laucala Camp Booth was “Connecting the SAFT’s Agriculture Programme to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as one of our major employers”.

The invitation was extended to the MoA and a number of Divisions: Crop Extension, Crop Research, Land Re- source Planning and Development and Animal Health and Production.

Continued on page 2...

Tafuna 1st Ward Youth ACIAR-USP Scholar- SAFT at Laucala Cam- Nusi Maualaivao Visit to SAFT and ships ...pg 10 pus won FBE Open Day IRETA ... pg 4 farm at Salei- Best Display Prize for moa ...pg 8 2016... pg 2 Strengthening Multi- CALL OUT for Sectoral Management of USP Labasa Campus AG273 and AG471 JOSPA Papers ...pg 11 Critical Landscape in Open Day & Solomon field trip to Ah-Liki Project trips ...pg Islands 38th Independ- Poultry and Pig 5 - 7 JULY IMAGES ...pg 12 ence Celebration ...pg 3 Farm ..pg 9

Editor in Chief : Mohammed Umar Publications Officer : Dolly Autufuga Email : [email protected] South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 2 SAFT at Laucala Campus won FBE Open Day Best Display Prize for 2016

All were able to present their work to 2,060 students from 40 Secondary schools around Viti Levu, who went through the marquee. Both students and teachers, including some USP staff, walked away with the SAFT’s brochures along with MoA’s brochures for raising simple vegetable plots at home. The highlights, as usual, were our animals. Pigs were brought from Koronivia Livestock Research Station while the Fiji Fantastic Sheep were transported all the way from Nawaicoba Quarantine Station in Nadi. Secondary school stu- dents were fascinated with these animals and were keen to interact with and know more about them.

The 2016 USP Open Day saw the School of Agriculture and Food Technology evolved from a two table booth, usually put alongside one of the major FBE Schools, to a 40 by 30 feet space that required two marquees. People talked posi- tively about SAFT’s presence at Laucala, praising the effort that was put towards this year’s open day.

SAFT at Laucala plans to go bigger and better next year and introduce some very engaging activities that will involve stu- dents while at the same time attract their interests towards agriculture. Plans have started for next year Open Day, to include the rest of major employers both in the government and private sectors.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes to Director Crop Ex- tension (Mr. Jone Sovalawa), Director Crop Extension (Dr. Apaitia Macanawai), Director Animal Health and Production (Mr. Tomasi Tunabuna), Deputy Secretary Agriculture Devel- opment (Mr. Uraia Waibuta) and respective MoA staff who contributed towards our Open Day booth, especially those staff who spent the whole day with SAFT presentations.

SAFT at Laucala also wants to thank the strong leadership and support of SAFT’s Head of School and every SAFT mem- ber that has been supporting them. South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 3 USP Labasa Campus Open Day

he USP Labasa Campus Open Day was held on the 29th of July 2016 at the Macuata Judicial Grounds in Labasa. The Open Day was graced with the presence of 25 sec- T ondary schools from the three provinces in the northern division of Fiji. Secondary schools from as far as Savusavu, Bua and Udu Point participated at this annual event with the total student numbers estimated to be in excess of 2,200. The distant schools were pri- oritised for the morning session of activities.

The School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SAFT) was well represented under the Fac- ulty of Business and Economics. Student information sharing sessions together with poster and video presentations and competitions were the highlights of the SAFT booth with stu- dents being enlightened on the numerous and diverse career opportunities that exist within the scope of the programmes offered by the school. Students were also briefed about the eli- gibility and subject combinations that are required for entry into SAFT programmes. Alternative pathways of entry into SAFT programmes were also highlighted. In addition, the presence of SAFT staff at Laucala campus and the support services provided by them at other local campuses was emphasised on. Other ar- eas of deliberations included the modes of delivery of various courses, the practical components and the flexi schools.

The day’s activities concluded with a debriefing session with the Labasa Campus Director at the campus.

Solomon Islands 38th Independence Celebration

n the 7th of July, USP Alafua Solomon Island students, celebrates their country’s 38th year of Independence. O It was truly a night of excitement as Solomon Island students prepared a variety of delicious Solomon dishes and a range of cultures from the different provinces in the Solomon Islands.

The night started off with a welcoming speech from the President of the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA), Mr. Luke Kiriau, followed by keynote address from Associate Professor Mohammed Umar, Head of SAFT and Director of IRETA, who was the guest speaker of the night. Mr. Umar talked briefly on Solomon Islands achievements and men- tioned that agriculture is one of the major sectors in Solomon Islands economy.

Dinner was served after the cake cutting by the SISA President and Associate Professor Umar followed by Solomon Islands students’ cultural performances. South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 4 Tafuana 1st Ward Youth Visit to SAFT and IRETA

he Tafuna Youth from American Samoa visited the School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SAFT) and the Institute for Research, Extension and Training T in Agriculture (IRETA) Farm on the 13th of July 2016.

The Tafuna Youth, between 12 to 17 years of age from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was lead by David Crichton, first Counselor to the Bishop with other leaders of the Youth. The Youth came to Samoa on a trip to the LDS Temple for one week and decided to visit and see for themselves what is happening at the School of Agriculture.

They were welcomed by Mr. Daya Perera, Senior Technician of the Soil Laboratory and Ms Dolly Autufuga of IRETA. They watched a short video clip about what SAFT is all about and then visited SAFT and IRETA facilities after the morning breakfast provided by the school.

The young teenagers were amazed at the facilities and opportunities available in the school. They learned about Soils and different activities that are carried out in the Soil laboratory. They were extremely excited when they visited the farm. It was the first time for most of them to see sheep and goats as well chickens that are kept solely for the purpose of egg production. They observed egg grading and other activities at the farm. David Crichton and leaders of the Youth gave their thanks to the School of Agri- culture especially to the Head of SAFT for the opportunity to come and visit. According the Mr. Crichton, it was a trip they will never forget. South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 5 USP and MNRE staff survey on soil conservation and land management project on “Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Management of Critical A Landscapes (SMSMCL)” is currently being implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) here in Samoa. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen and increase the capacities of the different national land development sectors to work together in a more integrated and coherent way at addressing the land degradation and soil conservation issues of the country, and de- veloping the means to achieve the culture of sustainable land man- agement practices both at the macro and national level of land man- Taro plantation at Aleisa agement policy and planning processes and at micro or local grass- roots level of land use technologies and practices.

The consultancy services of The University of the South Pacific have been selected to lead the development of this manual and of how the manual will accompany and support local farmers’ sustainable land agriculture practices in the project target villages. USP and MNRE staff project interviewed farmers randomly and collected soil samples Chinese cabbages at Tanumalala from , Manono tai and tai on 26th – 29th of July 2016.

On the 26th and the 27th, the project team went around Upolu and on the first day, the most common crops seen were breadfruit, taro, mango, cocoa and banana from Alafua to Leulumoega. A lot of taro plots, coconut and cocoa plantations were observed from Leulumoega Mixed cropping (vegetables) at to Lefaga. A huge taro plantation was seen at Aleisa east as well as Afiamalu cocoa, banana and coffee plantations along the way.

On Day 2, huge plots of nonu plantations were seen at Siumu village where it is grown as cash crop. The main crops seem to repeat from the villages of Sagafou to Lotofaga. Lepa has a huge coconut plantation and going inland there was a vanilla plantation. Coastal area started from Lepa to Saleaumua. On one side is the sea and the other side is the cliff. This is Vanilla plantation at Lepa the area most affected by the Tsunami in 2009. Samusu to Afulilo, was mainly found of Tree fern and Paradise Palm which is one of Samoa’s native plants. Lemafa area showed good pasture lands for running cattle on one side. On the other side there is steep land where taro is grown. This practice affects land stability and is highly susceptible to soil erosion unless soil conservation structure is put in place. Falefa to Fusi showed more of developed lands with houses and church buildings. Coastal area then continues from Fusi to Moata’a with same crops such as coconut, breadfruit, banana, etc.

Nonu fruits delivery Farmer interviews Soil Sampling South Pacific Agricultural News July 2016 6 SMSMCL Project Trip to Manono

anono tai is one of the beautiful islands of Samoa with sandy soil and beaches. The “Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Management of Critical Landscape in Samoa (SMSMCL) Project” visited the island of Manono tai for soil sampling and inter- M th view local farmers on the 28 of July 2016. Two MNRE staff joined Associate Professor Mohammed Umar and Prof. Anabella Tulin on this trip.

Manono tai consists of four villages; , , Lepuia’i and . Most of the families have little land for agriculture but were still able to grow root crops, tree fruits and vegetables. Plantations of breadfruit, cocoa, banana, pineapple, pawpaw, pandanus and ornamentals etc were seen spread throughout the island. Basically every agriculture farm in Manono tai was organic but the only problem was water, according to local villagers. Sandy soils and rocky coastal area was mainly ob- served on the island.

The island was peaceful with no cars and dogs, and the people were very friendly.

South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 7

SMSMCL Project Trip to

polima tai is Samoa’s fourth largest inhabited island. Apolima tai was the last island to visit on the 29th of July also part of the “Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Management of A Critical Landscape in Samoa (SMSMCL) Project” by USP and MNRE.

Soil sampling and farmer interviews were conducted by USP and MNRE project staff at the is- land of Apolima tai. There were only 11 families on the islands with each family having planta- tions at their backyards. Plantations ranged from coconut, banana, cocoa, taamu, taro, panda- nus, papaya, breadfruit etc. Mixed cropping and inter-cropping agriculture methods were no- ticed and being practiced by the people. Common vegetables seen on the island were laupele and eggplant. On the eastern side of the island, it showed very good soil with no rocks which is good for agriculture. To the western side of the island, the soil was very loose and rocky. The light house is also located on this side, which from the top gives an incredible view of the is- land. Five cattle were seen on island with few pigs. According to the farmers and local villag- ers interviewed, they had no problem with water or electricity. They transport all their needs by boat and enjoy the peaceful life they have.

The people of Apolima tai were very friendly and hospitable. After taking a few soil samples for analysis and conducting the farmer interviews, the group was treated to a wonderful lunch prepared by Tama and his family. The group returned home appre- ciating the people of Apolima tai and all the ag- riculture practices they were practicing on is- land and would like to thank the people of Apolima tai for the hospitality shown while vis- iting their shores. South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 8 Nusi Maualaivao farm at Saleimoa

rof. Manuel Palomar of SAFT with student Selina Oikali visited the Nusi Maualaivao farm at Saleimoa on the 29th of July upon P request due to infections on Mr. Maualaivao’s Cocoa plantation.

Mr. Maualaivao owns a 20 hectare in Moa Estate, Saleimoa. His farm comprises of coconuts, black coffee, rambutan trees and others, growing within cocoa plantation. He was complaining of cacao pod rot found on several cocoa trees including cocoa seed- lings. Prof. Palomar and Mr. Maualaivao

Professor Palo- mar surveyed the area, inter- vi e we d M r . Maualaivao and brought speci- mens to the Alafua lab for exami- nation and problem identification. After examinations, the cocoa black pod rot was tentatively identified as caused by the patho- gen called Phytophthora. It is said that once black pod rot has infected a cocoa field, its eradication may be difficult although its control may be easier.

Recommendations of sanitation, use of any copper- based fungicides through protective spraying, col- lecting of all infected black pod rot and bury or ster- ilize soil for seedlings in poly bags were presented to the farmer for consideration.

South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 9

AG273 and AG471 field trip to Ah-Liki Poultry and Pig Farm

tudents of AG273 and AG471 with course coordinator, Senior Lecturer of SAFT, Dr. Siaka Diarra went on a trip to the Ah-liki Poultry farm at Tanumapua and the Pig S farm at Tafaigata on July 27th 2016.

Charlie Westerlund, a well-known business man in Samoa and owner of the farm has the aim of reducing chicken imports by 50%. Samoa is said to import 60 containers of chicken meat every month and Charlie has tried to cut that amount in half by having home grown chicken products and by products. The Tanumapua farm houses the poultry egg production as well as huge plantations of pineapple and cabbages. Recently, Char- lie established a slaughter house to slaughter old layers and dressed for market pur- poses. He also owns the small piggery farm at Tafaigata.

Students were able to visit the brooding house, rearing house, laying house and the ab- attoir and egg packaging house as well as the pig farm. This field trip required the stu- dents to look at house orientation and structure for pig and poultry, manure manage- ment, site selection, roads accessibility, well drained land, water and feed supply, ab- attoir and egg packaging for poultry production. South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 10

ACIAR –USP Scholarships - 2017 Intake NOW OPEN

The Faculty, in collaboration with major donors, offers scholarships in Agriculture, For- estry and Fisheries.

Donor: The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research

ACIAR is an Australian Government statutory authority that operates as part of Austra- lia's Aid Program within the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It contributes to the aid program objectives of advancing Australia's national interest through poverty reduc- tion and sustainable development.

From this year, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, will be providing ad- ditional support to the scholarship scheme, through a twining arrangement with USP. 2017 scholarships are now being advertised. Details of the scholarship can be found here ACIAR-USP Scholarship conditions. Note that scholarship preference will be given to those who are eligible for direct entry into the Master's by research program at USP (i.e. student who has completed a USP PG diploma or equivalent with a GPA of 3.0)

HOW DO I APPLY?

All applicants are to fill in the forms and send them in hard copy via registered mail to: ACIAR Scholarship Officer, Research and Graduate Affairs Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment The University of the South Pacific Private Mail Bag, Suva, FIJI

Electronic copies of applications will also be accepted if emailed to Mr. Viliamu Powell with the subject line "ACIAR Scholarships 2017". Applications are to ARRIVE NOT LATER THAN 15 October 2016.

FOR POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA STUDIES (please note that it is not necessary to send in a research proposal if you are applying for PG Diploma studies).

For further information, visit http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=gascholarship or con- tact: Mr. Viliamu Powell Graduate Assistant Officer, Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Islands email: viliamu.powell(at)usp.ac.fj Phone: (+679) 3232804

South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 11

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Journal of the South Pacific Agriculture (JOSPA) is a peer reviewed Agricultural journal which publishes research articles, critical reviews, general papers and short communications in tropical agriculture. It has highly qualified editors and a transparent peer review system which normally takes about 6 to 8 weeks from submission of manu- script to the decision with reviewers’ comments. We are inviting contributions relevant to agriculture in the tropics for JOSPA’s Volume 19.

Please send manuscripts as email attachments to the editor at [email protected]

Deadline for submission will be 21 October 2016. Guide for authors will be provided upon request. Refer to section on Submission of Manuscripts for additional informa- tion required on submission.

For technical enquiries, please contact the Managing Editor:

Sunil Singh (PhD)

The University of the South Pacific

School of Agriculture and Food Technology

Alafua Campus, , Samoa

Tel: (+685) 21671 Ext 272; Fax: (+685) 22347

Email: [email protected] South Pacific Agricultural News Jul 2016 12 JULY IMAGES

Editor in Chief : Mohammed Umar Publications Officer : Dolly Autufuga Email : [email protected]