CREES News
NMC-CREES to host banana workshop - 3/10/2009
The Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services program will be conducting a two-day Banana Workshop on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The workshop, which is open to the general public, will highlight the disease management, maintenance, and care of the varieties of bananas in the CNMI.
The workshop will also host University of California at Davis professor Dr. Ivan Buddenhagen as the guest speaker. Buddenhagen, who holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Oregon State University, has dedicated most of his long career to promoting plant disease resistance and management as well as production and crop improvement of bananas and other tropical crops.
The Banana Workshops will be held on Saipan at the Pacific Islands Club on March 16-17, on Rota at the As Paris Restaurant on March 18-19, and on Tinian at Classroom D at the NMC-Tinian Campus on March 20-21. A registration fee of $5 is required to attend both days of the workshop session, which will run from 8am to 4:30pm each day. The workshop sessions will consist of presentations in the morning and a field trip to banana farms for a hands-on experience in the afternoon for both days.
For more information about the Banana Workshop or other CREES events and programs, log on to www.nmcnet.edu or www.crees.org or call 234-5498 ext. 1707. (NMC)
Farmers, students learn about farming advances - 3/10/2009
The Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services' workshop on Soil & Water Conservation through Innovative Farming Techniques held earlier this week at the NMC-CREES Experimental Farm in As Perdido drew a crowd of 66 participants, as well as 82 students from William S. Reyes Elementary School.
The workshop, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Services, was aimed at introducing farmers to new methods of raising production and profitability while conserving natural resources. NMC-CREES had been working on developing and refining these methods over the last three years, and the workshop provided the outlet to present many of the findings.
“We chose to present the workshop at our Experimental Farm to give the farmers a hands-on experience with our methods,” says program leader Lee Bowen, who is contracted by NMC-CREES as an agricultural consultant. “Farmers seemingly enjoyed the informal setting.”
The farming techniques the participants learned about were contour farming with vetiver hedge rows, micro irrigation, no-till farming, mulching, alley farming, and tree/shrub intercropping. All of these techniques have the goal of not only conserving water and soil in the CNMI, but also of helping the farmer save money on fertilizer and labor.
Arnold Route, NMC-CREES' Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator, introduced the farmers to his Botanical Pesticide project and gave out neem trees with which the pesticide is made.
The highlight of the program was the Sweet Potato Taste Tasting, which gave the farmers a taste of sweet potato varieties NMC-CREES is attempting to introduce to the CNMI.
According to Dr. Dilip Nandwani, NMC CREES plant pathologist, the taste sessions are important to collect data on which sweet potato variety would be the ideal one in regard to marketability and taste.
“The public has to decide which ones they like most,” Nandwani adds.
In her welcome speech, NMC Community Programs and Services Dean Felicitas Abraham praised NMC-CREES for their ongoing efforts to host workshops that help our farmers maximize profits and, at the same, conserve the scarce resources for the enrichment of the CNMI.
NMC-CREES officials were also pleased with the interest the workshop sparked in William S. Reyes Elementary students. Eighty-two students walked to the workshop and were treated to their own special tour around the farm. After two hours, they left with new knowledge on farming and bellies full of popcorn. Additionally, the students were given two neem trees, which they plan to plant at their school's own farm plot. Bowens hoped that the students' visit “sparked the interest to become farmers or scientists in some of the students.”
Anyone not able to participate in the workshop is invited to call the NMC-CREES main office at 234-5498, ext. 1707 to make an appointment with CREES staff for a guided tour around the Experimental Farm. (NMC)
NMC staff certified as professional horticulturist - 3/10/2009
Dr. Dilip Nandwani of the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research Extension & Education Services' was recently recognized as a Certified Professional Horticulturist by the American Society of Horticultural Sciences, of which Nandwani has been a member since 2008.
Nandwani, who has been a plant pathologist and program leader for crop improvement at CREES since 2006, has led various projects and published his research in reputed international journals, such as the Journal of Environment Management and Restoration, Acta Horticulturae, and the Journal of Applied Biosciences.
His projects include the introduction of an eco-friendly plant pesticide and improved varieties of banana, taro, sweet potato, and mango. He has also conducted experiments on various tissue cultures for substantial crop propagation.
The ASHS, which was founded in 1903, is composed of scientists dedicated to the advancement of horticultural research, education, and application. Its Certified Horticulturist Programs is a peer-reviewed system that evaluates a candidates knowledge of landscape design and maintenance; production of fruits, vegetables, turf, and ornamental plants; shipping and handling of final product; propagation; monitoring and testing; diagnosing and managing plant problems and business practices.
“I am greatly honored to have gained acceptance into the ASHS,” said Nandwani. “This certification allows me to professionally grow through access to further education and training from fellow CPHs and other ASHS members.”
“His achievements bring great honor and prestige to the College community,” said NMC president Dr. Carmen Fernandez of Dr. Nandwani “His certification will surely enhance CREES' efforts in assisting the community with their agricultural concerns.” (NMC)
Tinian Mayor's Office, NMC-CREES staff attend abal - 3/10/2009
Tinian Mayor's Office staff, together with NMC-CREES traveled to Tigbauan, Iloilo, in central Philippines to attend the specialized training on Abalone (H. asinine) Nursery and Grow-out Culture and Seaweed (Gracilaria) Farming.
Paticipants from Tinian were Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas, Thomas A. Fleming, John T. King, Thomas B. Mendiola, Michael H. Lizama and Richard S. Lazaro. Director Ross Manglona and Michael Ogo from NMC CREES were also present at the training, which was held from Feb. 14 to 24, 2009.
The weeklong abalone training took place at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. Specialized doctors from different fields of aquaculture trained the CNMI participants in the following fields:
* Hatchery, nursery, and grow-out culture of the tropical abalone;
* Seaweed Farming;
* Hatchery operation: egg collection, counting, incubation, monitoring of larval development;
* Harvest, counting of veliger larvae for stocking;
* Post larval rearing, Preparation of diatom slurry and feeding;
* Financial Feasibility and market potential;
* Sorting and packing of abalone juveniles for transport;
* Stocking and feeding of juveniles in cages;
* Sampling of abalone in grow-out cages; and
* Monitoring and feeding of abalone in cages.
The workshop was composed of both lectures and hands on training. The trainees from Tinian experienced the actual process of raising abalone from the larvae stage to harvest. (PR)
Farmers take steps to prevent reliance on imports - 3/10/2009
The newly formed Farmers Support Group has organized the CNMI's first agricultural summit, driven by the goal to prevent too much reliance on imported food items and to boost the local economy.
The two-day summit started yesterday at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort and the participants will wrap up the activity today with representatives of government agencies to discuss their roles.
The FSG is composed of the Saipan Municipal Council represented by its vice chair, Ray Camacho, NMC-CREES headed by director Ross Manglona, and Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz.
Camacho explained that the main objective of the summit is to expand the agricultural sector not only among the farmers themselves but with the involvement of the business sector, the Chamber of Commerce and the Korean Association, which owns most of the retail businesses.
“We are doing this to create a venue for dialogue to be able for everyone to work together,” Camacho said.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who delivered the welcome address, assured the government's full support to the FSG.
Camacho said some members of the Legislature attended the opening and shared their willingness to entertain ideas that can be developed into law.
“After the summit, we will gather everything that we have accomplished during two days and put them into action plans,” Camacho said.
He said that they want to establish a way of preventing the further intrusion of agricultural products into Saipan, which will give the opportunity for local farmers to expand.
Some of the expected outcomes of the summit include agricultural industry plans, review and address of policy and procedural changes, resources for grants, industry improvement plans, personnel training and professional development and technical assistance programs.
Century Insurance president David Sablan gave the opening remarks while NMC Community Development Institute director Dave Attao discussed the purpose and the ground rules for the sessions.
Alternative Pesticides Workshop on Rota - 3/25/2009
The workshop on the “Organic Farming in the Marianas” was conducted at the Northern Marianas College, Rota on March 16, 2009. The workshop was attended by several farmers. Dr. Gadi V.P. Reddy, Chemical Ecologist and Entomologist, and Technical Advisor for this project from the University of Guam, presented on “Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) Production”. Mr. Alejandro Badilles, Coordinator, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from the Northern Marianas College, Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service (NMC-CREES) and Local Advisor for this project highlighted the importance on IPM practices for the invasive species in Micronesia. Mr. Francisco M. Atlig, Producer and recipient of this Farmer Rancher Grant thanked and described his experiences while executing this project and the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) for funding this grant and farmers for attending the workshop. This grant project aimed to provide an alternative to pest and nematode control in vegetable production in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Rota. The planting of Neem trees on farm land will provide readily available organic solution to pest problems. (NMC)
Workshop participants look for pest infestations
CTSA Director impressed with CNMI Aquaculture - 3/27/2009
Dr. Cheng-Sheng Lee, director of the Center for Tropical and Subtropical Aquaculture (CTSA), visited NMC-CREES Thursday, March 26 for an inspection of the progress of aquaculture in the CNMI.
NMC-CREES Director Ross Manglona and Aquaculture Specialist Michael Ogo led him through the NMC aquaculture facility to show the status quo, grow-out trials with tilapia, shrimp and abalone and to discuss future plans. Dr. Lee was impressed with what CREES could accomplish so far, and what they will do in future to extent the research facility.
Dr. Lee stressed out the viability of aquaculture in the CNMI. The geographical isolation of our islands warrants disease-free cultured fish. While other fish culturing countries are fighting an expensive battle against bacteria and viruses, the CNMI could brand their products as disease free with a minimal investment in bio-security. At the same time, the CNMI is very close to the biggest markets for sea food – South East Asia. According to Dr. Lee, “there is a huge economical potential the CNMI can tap in”.
After the tour over CREES' research facility, the group visited several of CREES' clients in Fina Sisu, Navy Hill, Palms Ressort, San Roque and Chinatown. On these locations, Dr. Lee was shown several designs of fish tanks, ranking from low-cost back yard operations to more sophisticated ventures. He was amazed that Palms Ressort, where CREES had released some 80,000 fries, uses the shrimps as a tourist attraction in their artificial lagoon.
A visit to YMBM was used to show Dr. Lee the fabrication of filter systems designed by CREES. These filters are built locally for about the quarter of the price for an imported system. Michael Ogo sees this as a “perfect example of how the whole CNMI economy can take advantage from the multiplier effect a strong aquaculture industry is able to deliver”.
All in all, Dr. Lee was very impressed with the growing aquaculture in the CNMI, and, especially, with the efforts NMC-CREES is undertaking to make aquaculture a viable industry.
CTSA is one of five regional aquaculture centers in the United States established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The regional aquaculture centers integrate individual and institutional expertise and resources in support of commercial aquaculture development. CTSA was established in 1986 and is jointly administered by the Oceanic Institute and the University of Hawaii.
Each year, the CTSA program is developed by its Industry Advisory Council and Technical Committee. This cooperation reflects the Center's linking of commercial and scientific expertise. Industry Advisory Council members represent aquaculture enterprises as well as agriculture concerns, financial institutions and government agencies. (NMC)
Research Assistant Bill Joseph shows grow out container for abalone to Dr. Cheng Sheng Lee
Rota Abalone Workshop results in Business Start-up - 4/20/2009
Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Service (NMC-CREES) Aquaculture Specialist Michael Ogo conducted a workshop on “ Grow-out Requirements for Abalone Production in Rota” on April 9 at the NMC Tatachog Campus. 14 participants attending the workshop learned about biology of abalone, feeding requirements, water quality management, system maintenance, and the economic of abalone farming.
For Michael Ogo, this workshop was a success as “4 famers have decided to pool their resources together and start an abalone farm”. The four farmers are looking into negotiating with the Rota Municipality to lease idle aquaculture tanks in Tatachog for this purpose.
Abalone is an edible mollusk that is a highly priced delicacy in Asia. In addition to their use as food, their highly iridescent shells have traditionally been made into buttons, inlays for furniture or music instruments or jewelry. Pearls from abalone are popular in New Zealand and Australia and very expensive rarities.
Abalone have been mass-produced in China and Japan since the 1950's. A disease has reduced the Chinese abalone stock, thus giving a chance for the CNMI to push into the market. (NMC)
Workshop Participants (Picture by M. Ogo)