south pacific agricultural news span · span vol. 42, no. 3 march 2017 issn 1015 - 950 span south...

SPAN Vol. 42, No. 3 March 2017 ISSN 1015 - 950

Span

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

IRETA

USP has again offered 14 scholar-

ships for Samoan students to study

agriculture at USP Alafua campus.

USPSA Alafua Student President, Mr.

Frank Omelanga, said the prayer to

officially start the program. Campus

Director, Leatuaolevao Ruby Vaa

welcomed honored guests, awarded

students, families, friends and staff

and congratulated the recipients.

Principal Officer of the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, Luamanuvae Amoreti also congratulated the students that will be receiving scholarship

awards and emphasized that they must pass all the four courses in order to receive sponsorships from the

Government of Samoa.

Continued on page 2...

USP Grants 14 Scholarships to Ag-

riculture Students ...Pg 2

Microscope Maintenance and Cali-

bration SAFT Technicians Training

Program ... Pg 3

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

New SAFT Lecturer & Staff

Profile ...Pg 6 Fluctuations in Climate &

Student Profile ... pg 9

USP Grants 14 Scholarships to Agriculture Students

ASCC Visits SAFT ... Pg 4

ACIAR-USP Scholarships ... Pg 5

SAFT Student Research

Seminars ... Pg 7

JOSPA Call for Papers ... Pg 11

News Bits ... Pg 10 USPSA Federal Council

Meeting & The biggest

commercial taro farmer

in Samoa ... Pg 8

USP Staff with guests and recipients of the Agriculture Scholarships

MARCH Images ... Pg 12

2 South Pacific Agricultural News Mar 2017

Head of the School of Agriculture and

Food Technology, Assoc. Prof, Moham-

med Umar, also spoke during the pro-

gram and he gave a firm message to the

students. He said that there is no other

relationship like this with other coun-

tries where the University pays for few

courses of a particular program and if successful, its Government will continue the

scholarship. Therefore, for students that will be granted scholarships today, “you can-

not afford to fail” he said. “Use the opportunity wisely” he added and at this stage you

must decide what is more important for your future. He advised the parents and guardi-

ans present that they should first prioritize their children’s studies and everything else

comes second. He encouraged the recipients to work hard, use their time wisely and

within three years they will walk out of USP with a degree, making their parents, rela-

tives, friends and communities proud.

Senior lecturer, Mr. Ioane Malaki, who was also the Masters of Ceremonies for the pro-gram gave the vote of thanks. Mr. Malaki also gave a firm message to the awarded stu-dents and parents and students present. He said that most Samoan students do not want to study agriculture because they don’t want their hands to get dirty but the School of Agriculture is not all about that. The School of Agriculture is about using sci-ence, developing new skills and new knowledge to help our farmers improve their agri-culture products. He also added that for the students receiving awards today, “you must study hard to make your parents proud and also make us, the Samoan lecturers and staff here at Alafua campus, proud of your achievements”.

USP Grants 14 Scholarships to Agriculture Students

Speakers of the program (L-R): Campus Director Ruby Vaa, Assoc. Prof Mohammed Umar and

Principal Officer of Foreign Affairs Luamanuvae Amoreti

Recipients of the USP Agriculture

Scholarships


T he School of Agriculture and Food Technol-

ogy (SAFT) held a 5-day training at the

Crop Protection building, coordinated by

Senior Technician, Mr. Daya Perera, from the 27th

to the 31st of March, on microscope maintenance

and calibration. The trainer of the program, Mr.

Ian Faleono, former Crop Technician of the Univer-

sity at Alafua campus, trained four of the School’s

technicians, three of whom are based at the Soil Science Lab and one based at the Crop

Protection lab. The trainee did dismantling, replacing, cleaning, reassembling, check-

ing and labeling of all microscopes available at the University.

On the last day of the training, the Head of School, Assoc. Prof Mohammed Umar with Prof. Palomar and coordinator Mr. Perera held a certificate presentation for the train-ees. Head of School spoke on how important the training was for the technicians and thanked Prof. Palomar for having such a training for the technicians. He thanked Mr. Perera for organizing the training and most importantly to Mr. Faleono for his time and experience shared. Mr. Faleono thanked the Head of School and Prof. Palomar for hav-ing him come and give back what he has learnt from the past years while working for the University. He considers USP as his second family and will always be thankful for the experience he has gained. Prof Palomar also talked during the program and he was very thankful to the Head of School for approving the training because microscopes are the most important equipment for their work at the lab. The presentation of certifi-cates was then followed with refreshments.

Microscope Maintenance and Calibration

SAFT Technicians Training Program

Mr. Ian Faleono trains and supervise the technicians on Microscope maintenance and calibration

Back (L-R): Sam, Beverly, Victoria, Mr. Daya Perera (Coordinator) and

Dean. Front (L-R): Prof Palomar (Senior Lecturer), Assoc. Prof Umar (Head

of SAFT) and Mr. Faleono (Trainer)

South Pacific Agricultural News Mar 2017 4

American Samoa Community College

Visits SAFT

T he American Samoa Community College visited the School of Agriculture and

Food Technology (SAFT) on the 13th of March. The visit consisted of 14 stu-

dents, 4 staff and 3 faculties with families. The visit was firstly welcomed by

the Acting Head of School, Senior lecturer, Dr. Jagdish Bhati. Dr. Bhati talked on the

programs, activities, opportunities, researchers and practical work done at the

School of Agricutlure.

Senior Technician, Mr. Daya Perera, took the visitors tothe Soil Science Laboratories

where he showed them different equipment and machines that were available for

student use. The tour also visited Senior lecturer, Mr. Ioane Malaki at the Agricultural

Engineering building where mechanization in agriculture comes in place and in Crop

Protection building where Prof. Manuel K. Palomar showed them the different kinds

of pests in the Pest Museum. The tour lastly visited the USP-IRETA Farm with Senior

lecturer, Dr. Siaka Diarra.

The ASCC-ACNR 4-H Club students, staff and faculty thanked the School for accepting

their request to visit. All had an enjoyable and an educational experience from the

visit.

Visiting the Soil Science Laboratory

Visiting the USP-IRETA Farm (Poultry, Piggery, Cattle, Sheep & Goats)

Visit to Agriculture Engineering


ACIAR - USP 2017 Scholarships

F ive students of USP Alafua campus are currently

being sponsored by ACIAR. Mr. Viliamu Powell,

the ACIAR-USP Scholarship Officer with Ashanna

Anzey from Fiji and Gina Abarquez, Scholarship Training

Coordinator and ACIAR Officer from the University of

Sunshine Coast, Australia visited the campus and held an

introductory and basic research skills workshop for the

scholars on the 7th and 8th of March. The workshops fo-

cused on ideas that could help the students with their

studies. Some of the questions asked to the students dur-

ing the workshops were: “What are you studying?” “Why

are you doing that particular study?” “What are the im-

pacts of the research you are doing?” “What will you do

after the research?” “Are you confident with your area of

study?” The presenters strongly advised the students to

work on a project that they would enjoy, a project that

will finish within the time period allocated and to publish their work even if it’s one or

two chapters of their research.

A cocktail was held at the main Fale

on the 8th of March for the ACIAR

scholars. Mr. Viliamu Powell said that

this is the first function they have

held for ACIAR students and will hope

to continue as he visits the campus

every year. Acting Head of School,

Senior lecturer Dr. Jagdish Bhati was

given the chance to say a few words

at the function and he thanked Mr.

Powell for having such a function for

the students since the school needs

more scholarships for agriculture stu-

dents.

Mr. Viliamu Powell (far right) with ACIAR USP Scholars

During the workshops with USP and

ACIAR officers

Dinner with students and staff of USP Alafua and ACIAR officers


Name: Samuel Saulia

Post: Soil Science Lab Technician

Future Career: Establish a small business of either a restau-

rant or supplying agriculture products such as vegetables

Background: Mr. Saulia has been working for the University

for 27 years. He has two children and enjoys working at the

University. He enjoys the company of his co-workers working

with him at the Soil Science Laboratory and still strives to look for more and bet-

ter opportunities to support himself and his family.

Message: There is nothing in this world that we will get easily without hard work.

This is not an easy life and we must work hard whether you’re a student or an em-

ployee. We must try our best to the best that we can.

Dr. Abdul Kader is the new Soil Science Lecturer for the

School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SAFT), USP

Alafua campus.

Dr. Kader obtained his BScAg in 1994 and Masters in Soil Science in 2000 both from Bangladesh Agricultural Univer-sity (BAU). He received his MSc in Physical Land Resources in 2006 and PhD in Applied Biological Sciences in 2012 both from Ghent University, Belgium. He also conducted post-doctoral researches at Murdoch University, Australia. He

has 17 years teaching and research experiences at university level on Soil Sci-ence as Lecturer (2000) to Professor (2013). In addition to that he is also an Ad-junct Professor at Murdoch University, Australia since January 2016. He has taught four courses at undergraduate and two courses at post-graduate level. He already supervised 55 Master Dissertations as supervisor or co-supervisor at the Department of Soil Science, BAU and 2 at the Department of Soil Science, BAU and 2 at the Department of Soil Management, Ghent University. He is cur-rently supervising one Masters and six PhD researches including one PhD re-search at the Department of Soil Management, Ghent University, Belgium and also involved in several national and international research projects.

New SAFT Lecturer

STAFF Profile


organic amendments, uptake of nutrients to

sustain the growth of the indicator crop on a

short period of time and to correlate the crop

growth and N-use efficiency parameters of the

indicator crop to the amendments.

Comments/Suggestions were made by the

SAFT faculty to improve the methodology of

the proposals.

O n March 8th, 10th and 15th, AG383 stu-

dents presented their ‘Research Proposal

Presentations’. Projects in Animal Science

consisting of 5 groups with 23 students are su-

pervised by Dr. Siaka Diarra. For Crop Science,

6 groups consisting of 24 students are super-

vised by Mr. Falaniko Amosa. Dr. Jagdish Bhati

is supervising 2 groups consisting of 7 students

for Agribusiness. The other projects include

one group of 4 students in Food Technology

supervised by Prof. Lutgarda S. Palomar, one

group of 4 students in Agribusiness supervised

by Dr. Sonny Lameta and one group of 3 stu-

dents in Soil Science supervised by Dr. Sanjay

Anand.

During the presentations, the lecturers gave the students very helpful feedback especially in areas that needed clarification and improve-ment.

AG383 Research Proposal

Presentations

Masters and PhD Student

Research Seminars

T hree graduate students (two MAgr and one

PhD) presented their research proposals.

Avinesh Dayal Das presented the effects of tal-

low and enzyme supplementation in the utiliza-

tion of cassava peel meal by broiler chickens.

During cassava processing for food and indus-

trial uses large quantities of peels are produced

which have limited uses in most cassava pro-

ducing countries at the moment. This by-

product still remains underutilized in Fiji where

it is often left in refuge dumps, thus constitut-

ing an environmental risk. Since tallow is read-

ily available in Fiji for livestock feeding, it may

be worth investigating the effect of tallow and

enzyme supplementation on the utilization of

cassava peel meal by broiler chickens.

The PhD student, Ashika Devi, aims to investi-

gate the effect of feeding copra meal with or

without exogenous enzyme in the growth, egg

performance, nutrient digestibility, fatty acid

composition and cholesterol content of poultry

meat and egg. The study came in place when

findings of existing studies in the feeding of

copra meal to poultry have only focused on

growth, egg performance and nutrient digesti-

bilityand the effect of feeding copra meal in

the composition of poultry meat and egg is not

documented.

Around two-thirds of Samoan households still

practice subsistence agriculture based onor-

ganic ideologies. An alternative to chemical fer-

tilizers in improving soil fertility is the applica-

tion of organic matter. There are a lot of lo-

cally available organic amendments in Samoa,

however most local farmers do not fully under-

stand the real potential of some of these locally

available organic amendments such as mucuna,

gliricidia, erythrina, grasses and taro leaves and

petioles. Therefore, this study by Master stu-

dent, Charlie Suburban, aims to investigate the

N-release pattern of selected composted


T he USPSA Federal Council Meeting was held on the 27th – 29th of March, 2017 at USP

Alafua Campus. The USPSA Federal Council is the highest governing Student Body and

main student representatives for the Students’ Association in USP. The Council was formed

to enhance and protect the general welfare and the academic, social and cultural interests

of all students engaging in study at USP. The Council meets twice a year and again they

meet to deliberate on student matters, formalize procedures, and discuss financial matters

and reports from Presidents of different Student Associations or branches. The Opening

Ceremony was held at the Main Fale on the 27th of March. Minister of Education, Sports &

Culture, Hon. Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Mr. Richard Coll;

Campus Director, Leatuaolevao Ruby Vaa; Head of SAFT and Director of IRETA, Assoc. Prof

Mohammed Umar with Rev. Opeta Ioapo, members of the Council, staff and students of USP

Alafua participated in this program.

The Council meeting ended on the 29th of March with a farewell dinner. Senior lecturer, Mr.

Ioane Malaki, first spoke at the event and he was thankful to USP saying that these young

leaders of the University will one day become future presidents and ministers. Assoc. Prof

Mohammed Umar, Head of School and Director of IRETA, emphasized the role of student as-

sociations in making student needs known to uni-

versity management. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Rich-

ard Coll, also added on the role of student associa-

tions and was thankful for the time spent at Alafua

campus. The USPSA Alafua Student Committee pre-

sented gifts and certificates to all the participants.

USPSA Federal Council Meeting

The biggest commercial taro farmer in Samoa

Peter Tulaga Eliesa, 36 years old farmer, is touted as the biggest

commercial taro farmer in Samoa. He currently farms 120 acres

at Fiaga and his original farm is located at his home in Alisa.

He sought to lease land for his expansion and was promptly given

a challenge by the Hon. Prime Minister Tuileala to prove that he

can plant 50 acres at Fiaga within a year. Peter excitedly took up

the challenge and achieved the target in half a year. He was then

granted another 70 acres. Peter and his team of four continue to

plant at a rate of 1000 tabula per person per day. "We work 24/7

and we also plant at night under flood lights", says Peter.

Peter is currently supplying eight taro exporters. He sells around 300 x 20 kilo bags of taro on a weekly basis. A 20 footer container usually requires up to 750 bags of taro which can equate to 10,000 taro. Peter and his team plants 30-40,000 taro for the container to ensure they can meet the demand.

Source: http://mysassysamoa.blogspot.co.nz/?m=1

Peter Tulaga at his Taro

Plantation

Participants of the meeting

http://mysassysamoa.blogspot.co.nz/?m=1


Fluctuations in Climate

Name: Calvary Tuala-Tamalelagi

Student: 2nd year Agriculture student and also the Samoan Asso-

ciation President (2016-2017)

Goals: As President of the Samoan Student Association, overall

goal is to get a 50% pass rate of Samoan students.

Background: Mr. Calvary Tuala-Tamalelagi is the fourth of eight

children. His parents are Pastor and Mrs. Tuala-Tamalelagi. He enjoys studying at USP

Alafua campus because of its diversity and being an agriculture student has helped him

appreciate the environment more.

Message: To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To find his will is the

greatest discovery and to do his will is the greatest achievement you can have in your

life.

W hile changes in average climate conditions can have serious consequences by

themselves, the main impacts of global climate change are felt due to fluctua-

tions in climate variability and weather extremes. The 2015-2016 El Nino weather phe-

nomenon, for example, is one of the most intense and widespread on record. Agricul-

ture, food security and nutritional status of more than 60 million people were affected

by various El Nino-induced conditions including droughts, floods and extreme hot and

cold weather.

In the Pacific Region

In 2016 alone, the region experienced drought induced by the recent El Nino and the

strongest tropical cyclone on record, Tropical Cyclone Winston. In February 2017, the

FAO Early Warning - Early Action (EWEA) team went to Solomon Islands to develop the

Pacific Region regional cyclone early action plan and a drought early action plan tai-

lored specifically for the country. The plans aim to harness existing early warning

structures in the Pacific, such as rainfall outlooks. Early warnings system will equip the

FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands, based in Apia, Samoa, to act early. By

preventing or mitigating such disasters we can safe-

guard assets and livelihoods of communities in the

Pacific and build resilience to natural disasters.

Drought early action plans are currently in the mak-

ing for the Republic of Marshall Islands and Federal

States of Micronesia.

Source: http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/news/en/

Student Profile

http://www.fao.org/asiapacific/news/en/


Interesting regulated pests in banana consignment

A recent consignment of bananas from Ecuador was found to have small insects

associated with the wooden pallets when the door was opened for inspection.

Samples were obtained of these insects and the container was given a knock down

spray to prevent insects moving while the sample banana cartons were unloaded

and taken to the inspection room. Once the bananas had been inspected and lo-

cated the insects found were sent for ID.

There were insects and two types of mite present in the

samples: Tarsonemus confuses, a regulated pest, Acari: Tar-

sonemidae and Tyrophagus communis Mites and eggs Acari:

Acaridae, Non regulated. The insects associated with the

pallets were Coleoptera: Endomychidae. This insect is also

known as the handsome fungus beetle and is a regulated

pest. Because the wood packing treatment rate is higher

than the rate for bananas, the bananas were treated first at

MPI rate FVT6 followed by a supervised unpack of the con-

tainer after which the pallets were treated at the MPI ISPM

15 rate for wood packaging.

Source: Ports News March Newsletter 2017

Trochoideus desjardinsi

Vegetable diversification in cocoa-based farming systems in

Ghana

As part of dynamic livelihood coping strategies,

some farmers in Ghana’s cocoa belt have diver-

sified away from traditional cocoa production to

other high-value crops including vegetables, to

the extent of diversifying within vegetables.

This study assessed the extent of diversification

of vegetables among farmers in Ghana’s cocoa

belt and determined the factors that explain the

variability in the diversification indices. A small-

sample-size formula (http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm) that was based on an

estimated population of the sample was used to arrive at 621 farmer respondents from

the Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana. A combination of proportional and random

sampling was employed to select farmers for the interview.

Source: https://avrdc.org/

Cocoa intercropped with vegetables

http://www.surveysystem.com/sscalc.htm

https://avrdc.org/


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 20.

Please send manuscripts as email attachments to the editor at

[email protected]

Deadline for submission has been extended to 31 October 2017. Guide for authors will

be provided upon request. Refer to section on Submission of Manuscripts for additional

information 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, Apia, Samoa

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

Email: [email protected]

MARCH IMAGES


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

south pacific agricultural news span · span vol. 42, no. 3 march 2017 issn 1015 - 950 span south...

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