Friday

Organization of the "train the trainers" meeting in Nadi, Fiji, 17 to 20 April 2018

By R. Bourdeix, K Mapusua and V. Kumar
A Training on Coconut Production and Seeds Systems in the Pacific Region will be organized from 17 to 20 April 2018, Tanoa International Hotel, Votualevu Road Nadi Airport, Nadi, Fiji


This « train the trainer » meeting is conceived for extention officers, researchers, communications officiers and decision makers involved in coconut production, seed systems. All coconut stakeholders can submit a demand to participate free this training by writing at : agripro2018@gmail.com, as long as they take in charge the budget of their travel and accommodation.

Main expected outcomes
  • Extentions officers, coconut researchers and communication officers are trained in main coconut agricultural techniques and in communication techniques with coconut farmers. This include the questions of choice of planting material, nursery techniques, planting techniques, traditional and organic management of coconut plantation; and diffusion of information to farmers. 
  • A method of assessing the efficiency of replanting coconut development project is set up. This includes the estimation of numbers of: 1) seednuts produced, 2)  germinated, 3) released to farmers, 4) planted by farmers 5) surviving in farmers field after one and five year, 6) cause of death of seedlings; 7) characterization of farmers and constitution of farmers database including geographical information systems; and 8) Does the new production really benefit the coconut industry, or do farmers use the coconut only for own consumption and feeding animals.
  • The question of incentives for boosting coconut production is deeply discussed and recommendations are provided at the end of the meeting. 
  • Participants are trained to several communication tools helping to boost replanting. An international coconut varietal contest is launched in order to identify best farmers varieties and enhance communication with and among coconut farmers.
  • Media (TV, Radio) associated to this meeting will enhance communication with stakeholders of the coconut value chain and improve their skills, in link with the CIDP website dedicated to Coconut planting material for the Pacific Region (https://replantcoconut.blogspot.com).
Planning of the meeting
Day 1: Tuesday 17th April 2018

8:30-9:00 REGISTRATION
9:00-9:30 Opening Session
                       Welcome (SPC & CIRAD)
9:30-9:45 COFFEE/TEA BREAK - GROUP PHOTO SESSION
9:45-12:15 Plenary session (N. Hussein)
Introduction of participants (roundtable)
Overview of the CIDP project (N. Hussein)
Overview of the CIDP component on Coconut Production and Seeds Systems, the new website and expected outcomes of the meeting (R. Bourdeix)
Presentation of the “Coconut Google group” and registration of participants (R. B)
Open discussion/questions/revision of the program of the meeting if needed
12:15-13:30 LUNCH BREAK
13:30-15:00 Plenary session (R. Bourdeix)
Nomenclature and types of coconut varieties (R. B)
The world catalogue of conserved germplasm
How to download and extract data from the Coconut Genetic Resources Database
Coconut reproductive biology and its consequences (R. B)
Methods for coconut breeding and their efficiency (R. B)
Parent palm selection in farmer’s fields, traditional and modern (R. B)
A new idea : plant more palms and cut the less productive ones (R. B)
15:00-15:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
15:15-17:30 Plenary session (R. Bourdeix)
The necessity of giving varietal choice to farmers (R. B)
Use of genetic markers at nursery stage to select good varieties (R. B)
The simpler way for farmers to produce hybrids (R. B)
Turning a coconut plantation to a seed garden producing both Tall, Dwarf and hybrids (R. B)
Seed gardens by assisted pollination with emasculation of female parents (R. B)
New possible designs for seed gardens without emasculation (R. B)
Discussion and conclusion

Day 2: Wednesday 18th April 2018

8:00-8:30 Wrap up of the previous day. Plenary to present the objectives of the day (R. Bourdeix)
8:30-10:30 Field demonstrations at Lega Lega Research Station (V. Kumar)
Transfer to Lega Lega Research Station
Seedbed and nursery (V. K)
Video making and short training on video making (R. B)
10:30-11:00 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
11:00-13.00 Field demonstrations at Lega Lega Research Station (V. Kumar)
Planting technique (V. K)
Staking/picketing coconut palms (V. K)
Leaflet sampling methods for DNA or mineral analysis (R. B)
Back to Tanoa Hotel
13:00-14:30 LUNCH BREAK
14:30-16:00 Plenary Session (R. Bourdeix)
Planting designs for pure coconut plantation (R. B)
How to manage with old unproductive palms? (R. B)
Estimation of manpower required for planting (R. B)
Road map for replanting (R. B)
16:00-16:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
16:15-18:00 Plenary Session (R. Bourdeix)
Foliar diagnosis methods for assessing coconut fertilization requirements (R. B)
Building a road map for good management of coconut plantations (Group Exercise)
Validating follow-up forms for management of coconut plantations (Group Exercise)
19:30-21:00 SOCIAL COCKTAIL

Day 3: Thursday 19th April 2018

8:30-9:00 Wrap up of the previous day. Plenary to present the objectives of the day (R. Bourdeix)
9:00-11:00 Plenary Session (V. Kumar)
Organic management and agriculture in the Pacific Region (S.Hazelman)
Organic management of coconut plantations (V. K)
Discussions and preparation of recommendations
11:00-11:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
11:15-13:00 Plenary Session (V. Kumar)
Planting designs for intercropping (V. K)
Intercropping coconut palms at young age (R. B)
Intercropping coconut palms at the adult age (R. B)
13:00-14:30 LUNCH BREAK
14:30-16:15 Plenary Session (R. Bourdeix)
New tool for estimating coconut production and seednuts requirements (R. B)
Application of the Excel tool to participating countries (Group Exercise)
Databases of farmers and parent palms (R. B)
Open discussion on how to boost coconut replanting
16:00-16:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
16:15-18:00 Plenary Session (R. Bourdeix)
The Kobotool box software for collecting fields data (R. B)
Practical use of tablets and mobile phone to collect fields data (R. B)
Preparation of a regional coconut varietal contest using Kobotoolbox (R. B)
Short training on how to edit and release 2-3 minutes technical movies (R. B)

Day 4: Friday 20th April 2018

8:30-9:00 Wrap up of the previous day. Plenary to present the objectives of the day (R. Bourdeix)
9:00-11:00 Plenary Session (N. Hussein)
 Where farmers can find good coconut seednuts? (Group Exercise)
 Brainstorming on incentives for boosting coconut production (N.H.)
 Drafting recommendations on incentives
11:00-11:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
11:15-13:00 Plenary Session (R. Bourdeix)
Communication aspects for boosting coconut agriculture and value chain (R. B)
Short training on how to add information to the website (R. B)
Short training on how to advertise in social networks (R. B)
Open discussion about communication aspects
13:00-14:30 LUNCH BREAK
14:30-16:15 Plenary discussion (N. Hussein & R. Bourdeix)
Brainstorming on priority research needed for boosting coconut production (R. B)
Brainstorming on other priority actions for boosting coconut production (N. H)
Preparation of main recommendations from the meeting
16:15-16:30 COFFEE/TEA BREAK
16:30-17:30
Brief presentation of the recommendations of the meeting
Closing ceremony

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