Pacific PestNetPO Box 5406Raiwaqa Post OfficeSuva, Fiji

30 May 2002

infoDev Work Program AdministratorThe World Bank1818 H Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.E-mail: infodev@worldbank.org

Dear Sir/Madam

Title: Linking farmers to crop protection networks (Solomon Islands)

Please find attached a project proposal for Solomon Islands. The project will providefarmers with instant access to information to better manage agricultural pests anddiseases. Solomon Islands has been going through a difficult time in recent years, andbecause of civil unrest the economy is in disarray. Research services no longer exist: themain research station was destroyed in August 2000, and although there is a districtextension service, its resources are so depleted that it can do little to respond to farmers’needs. We believe that new approaches to agriculture extension are needed, and that thispilot project could be of benefit to Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries.

Four NGOs will collaborate: one regional, Pacific PestNet (an online Q&A service with375 members); and three based in Solomon Islands - the Planting Material Network (afarmers' group with 400 members), Kastom Gaden Association (emphasis on village foodsecurity) and the People First Network, a project of the Rural Development VolunteersAssociation (community focused information and communication technologies).

Using a robust modem attached to a HF radio transmitter, an e-mail link will beestablished at a KGA sub-office on Malaita. This will allow farmers to access the adviceand information that PestNet can provide on any aspect of plant protection, and mostother aspects of agriculture. Malaita has been chosen as it has the highest populationdensity of Solomon Islands, has received more than 20,000 displaced persons due to theethnic tension, and because KGA has been working with farmers in the area on their plantprotection problems, assessing local remedies. The pest problems have been exacerbatedby the recent influx of people.

An already established PMN farmers’ committee will oversee this project, meetingregularly to ensure effective and efficient implementation. Pest surveys will be carried outin the project area, and management options tried by farmers and monitored by KGA andPMN members. The existence of the service in the villages throughout the rugged terrainof the remote project area will be promoted, extension and training materials developedand people will be encouraged to use the service for general plant protection queries. The

level of acceptance by the communities will be monitored regularly by KGA/PMN andPestNet visits. Near the end of the project, a meeting will be held with representativesfrom other Pacific Island countries to share experiences, and to see if the lessons learnedmerit replication elsewhere in Solomon Islands and the region.

The four volunteer moderators of Pacific PestNet who started the service two and a halfyears' ago have each spent 20-30 years working in Pacific Island countries. PestNet hasbeen acclaimed by governments, and by international and regional organisations, for itshelp to plant protection and quarantine services. We believe that it has a greater role toplay than backstopping government agencies, important as this may be. PestNet can usecurrent communication technologies, provided by PFnet, the networks of community-based organisations such as the PMN, and the community development experience ofNGOs such as KGA, to put farmers in touch with the expertise of its members.

The project has been reviewed by several research organisations and developmentassistance agencies, both regional and international. The Secretariat of the PacificCommunity, a regional organisation assisting countries with agricultural development inthe Pacific, has agreed to collaborate and provide a significant contribution (US$37,331).This is in recognition that the concept of an e-mail service to remote communities inSolomon Islands has great potential there and in other countries. The SPC plantprotection extension officer will work closely with the organisations involved inimplementing the project.

In addition, a contribution of SBD57,000, approximately US$12,000, has been offered tothe project by the AusAID Community Peace and Restoration Fund. In kind contributionsare US$5,690. In addition, PestNet will continue to run the service free of charge, whichis estimated at US$3,1500 annually, in terms of time and equipment. This has not beenincluded in the budget, as it is part of the core service of PestNet, and difficult toapportion. PestNet will also edit, without cost, a manual on crop pests as conceived bySolomon Island farmers, adding technical input.

The total budget of the project is US$105,086 of which US$50,215 is requested frominfoDev.

We believe this to be an exciting proposal, and we hope the World Bank will think so too,by supporting this proposal and working with us to make a difference to the lives ofpeople of north Malaita, Solomon Islands, and demonstrating the potential of the systemestablished in other isolated communities of the Pacific Islands.

Yours sincerely

PestNet ModeratorsMat Purea (Samoa)Wilco Liebregts (Fiji)Bob Macfarlane (New Zealand)Grahame Jackson (Australia)

Proposal form for infoDev-Funded Project

Proponents are asked to submit this form electronically as a file attached to an email or as a file on a3.5 inch pc-formatted diskette mailed to infoDev. The file should be in Microsoft World or a RTF.While no particular graphical form is required for an infoDev proposal, it should contain theinformation requested below.

infoDev MISSION“To promote innovative projects on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT)

for economic and social development with a special emphasis on the needs of the poorin developing countries”

1. Project Title (maximum 12 words):

Linking farmers to crop protection networks (Solomon Islands)

Proposal ID number (to be completed by infoDev):2. Date of Proposal: May 2002

PROPONENT INFORMATION

3. Proponent Contact Information:wName: Wilco LiebregtsOrganization: Pacific PestNetAddress: PO Box 5406, Raiwaqa Post Office, Suva, FijiPhone Number: (679) 3322 607Fax Number: (679) 3322 607Email: Ecoconsult@is.com.fjWebsite of organization: http:// www.users.bigpond.net.au/grahame/Pestnet/index.html

(under construction)4. Project Cost:

4.1 Total project cost (in $US): 105,086

4.2 Funding Requested from infoDev (in $US): 50,215

4.3 Project Duration (one year, two years, three years or more): 2 years

5. Participating/partner organizations:Please elaborate on the role of each intended partner in the project. Please give contact information,including email addresses and website when available.Letters of commitment by the participating organizations are recommended.

1) Kastom Gaden Association, PO Box 742, Honiara, Solomon Islands Tel/Fax (677) 39551, e-mail:tonyj@solomon.com.sb

2) Planting Material Network, Honiara Contact Point, KGA Kastom Garden Trust, Burns Creek, POBox 742, Honiara, Solomon Islands

3) People First Network, c/- SIDAPP, Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development, POBox G35, Honiara, Solomon Islands Tel (677) 26560, Fax (677) 26458, e-mail:rdva@pipolfastaem.gov.sb; http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb/

CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECT

6. Category:Please choose from the following ONLY ONE of the most relevant category for the proposed project:(if necessary you may choose a second, but please mark as primary and secondary). InfoDev will notconsider anything beyond the primary and secondary categories:

Telecommunications InfrastructureDevelopment

[ ]

Internet Infrastructure Development [ ]Education [ ]Health [ ]E-Commerce [ ]

[ ]Environment [ ]Government [ ]Other (please explain) [ √ ]Agriculture. The project aims to evaluate if

agriculture development in remote island areas can behelped by bringing farmers into a worldwide emailnetwork providing advice and information

7. Grantee Type of Organization:

Please indicate the type of organization that would carry out the proposed project:Academic/Research Institution [ ]Non Governmental Organization [ √ ]Private Enterprise [ ]Government Agency [ ]Regional, Bilateral or Multilateral Organization [ ]Other (please explain) [ ]8. Geographic Location of Proposed Project:Country(ies) please specify [ Solomon Islands ]

Worldwide, Regional or NonCountry-specific

[ Oceania ]

9. Proposal Executive Summary:

Please give a brief description (maximum 100 words) of the proposed activities. This summary will be posted onthe infoDev website.

Farmers in Solomon Islands will be helped to access plant protection information by e-mail as a pilot scheme forremote Pacific Island countries (PICs). Four NGOs will collaborate: the Kastom Gaden Association will provide alink between farmers of the Planting Material Network and Pacific PestNet, a Q&A service, with 375 membersworldwide. Messages will be sent through the People First Network, using modified HF radios.

A field office in Malaita will be equipped. The KGA will raise community awareness and farmers will monitorpest control measures. A terminal evaluation will be conducted to share lessons learned with other PICs.

10. Poverty Reduction Impact

Describe the technology components of the project and how the application of ICTs will reduce poverty andimprove the lives of the intended beneficiaries.

The economy of Solomon Islands has been severely affected by recent civil unrest. Farmers now have no access toagriculture extension services. This project will provide remote communities the opportunity to use currentcommunications technologies to access information on plant pests in a timely manner. In addition to general adviceon crop protection, it will target major pests of staple crops to show how readily available information can be usedto improve yields, contribute to food security and increase household incomes. In these ways, it will help reinforceself-reliance that until recently underpinned subsistence food production.

11. Comparative Projects in the Subject Area

Please make clear how your project is distinguished from other projects in the subject area, and to what extent yourproject is innovative ( application of an existing or new technology to reduce poverty in a new context or in adifferent way).

There are no projects of this kind in the Pacific Islands. Although we realize that there are examples of rural ICTprojects in Africa and India (eg, the project by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in the late 1990s thatpiloted village information centres), the socio-economic situation of remote Pacific Island communities is farremoved from these regions. A trial in the Pacific is a necessity. There is no communication infrastructure in ruralareas of Solomon Islands, whereas other projects have used a combination of wireless and wired public telephonesystems. Furthermore, in the project area of North Malaita, people do not have a means to obtain cash, except fromthe sale of surplus roots crops: their livelihoods are based on subsistence, augmented by occasional remittancesfrom household members working in Honiara (substantially curtailed in recent years due to the ethnic tension). Theimportance of the project and its novelty is that it will put people in contact with a free network of nearly 400scientists and agriculture experts worldwide, many of whom have knowledge of the Pacific, and who are ready toassist if connectivity can be established.

The project will concentrate on plant protection as this is the major expertise of PestNet. However, the Networkcan cover much more and farmers will be encouraged to use it for general agriculture information. Perhaps anexample will be instructive. Recently, a question was sent on the multiplication of pineapple by an NGO inVanuatu (Farm Support Association) that helps its members in commercial farming enterprises. They were havingdifficulty in multiplying pineapple planting stock. Within 1 hour they were put in contact with a research station innorthern Queensland that specializes in the crop and their questions were answered. No one pretends that access toPestNet is going to be a panacea for all the problems confronting farmers who have limited funds, little or nocredit, and who are excluded from overseas markets by lack of infrastructure and vast oceans. However, the timelyprovision of information, with the personal contacts that are often made in the process of obtaining it, willencourage farmers, and will, in the long term, impact on the poverty that exists in Melanesia.

BODY OF THE PROPOSAL(Please read the Guidelines carefully)

12. Proposal InformationA. Overall Goal of the Project

Improved food security for rural communities in Solomon Islands

B. ObjectivesTo provide farmers with timely information and advice on the management of agricultural pests and diseasesthrough an e-mail network

C. Activities and Deliverables

Activities:

1.1 Purchase equipment through PFnet Honiara (computer, printer, modem, digital camera, etc)1.2 Provide training to KGA staff, including sending and receiving e-mails1.3 Provide technical backstopping through PFnet1.4 Establish office, enlarging building used by the Community Peace and Restoration Fund (CPRF)

Deliverables:

• Sub-station with trained staff sending and receiving e-mails• PFnet contracted to provide technical backstopping

The office of the CPRF at Silolo, North Malaita, will be extended and equipped with a computer and printer, amodem attached to the existing HF radio transmitter, a solar power system, and ancillary parts (antenna, filter andcables). The choice of products and purchases will be made by PFnet, as part of a consolidated order for severalother rural sub-stations. A PFnet technician will travel to North Malaita to install the equipment and to train staff ofKGA in its use. PFnet costs of establishing the e-mail connection and a small annual fee for technical backstoppingwill be borne by the project. The sub-office staff have already been trained in computer use. The e-mail service willbe developed in close cooperation with North Malaita agriculture extension services and the Malaita provincialauthorities. It is expected that it will be used extensively by both these agencies as well as by the CPRF field office.

Inputs:

• Equipment as specified above• Fee to PFnet for establishing e-mail connection and training• Annual subscription to PFnet for technical backstopping

Result 2: Community awareness

Activities:

2.1 Reassign and train Community Field Officer2.2 Village meetings, awareness workshops and PRAs2.3 Production of leaflets (by KGA desktop publishing centre, Honiara), pest management manual and radio

announcements, and their dissemination

Deliverables:

• Trained and proficient Community Field Officer• Village meetings and PRA reports• Leaflets, manual and radio announcements prepared and disseminated in villages to inform the community that

e-mail access to PestNet is available through PMNA Community Field Officer (CFO) with KGA will be employed by the project to create public awareness, toexplain the potential of the online service, and encourage farmers to use it. The CFO will also interpret messagesfrom PestNet members into local language and develop local language training materials. Leaflets and radioannouncements will be produced by KGA field staff who have been trained in desktop publishing and the use ofdigital cameras; village artists will assist.

The CFO will visit families (with other KGA staff and PMN members, see Result 4) to monitor whether or not theadvice and information provided by PestNet was appropriate to their needs. A number of farmer field trials will beestablished for the management of selected pests to demonstrate the potential of information and advice providedthrough PestNet (see Result 3). A pest management manual, based on farmers' knowledge, and which is ready to bepublished by KGA, will be revised with technical input from PestNet (editing at no cost to the project).

Inputs:

• Community Field Officer, part-time over 2 years, plus operational costs• Publication costs for leaflets, manual (also editing costs), radio announcements to publicise the project and its

objectives and to encourage use of the e-mail service• Costs for village meetings/PRAs, and farmer look-and-learn visits

Result 3: Farmer-monitored pest control strategies

Activities:

3.1 Baseline surveys of pests and diseases in North Malaita by PestNet moderators, and PMN members3.2 PMN farmers rank pests and diseases, and at least three chosen in consultations with PMN coordinating

committee, and strategies defined3.3 Training provided by PestNet to KGA and Government extension staff3.4 Farmer field trials established that combine local knowledge and innovations in pest management with

expertise provided by PestNet3.5 Farmer field trials monitored and results disseminated through PMN and PestNet networks

Deliverables:

• Reports on:� Pest surveys in North Malaita� PRAs with farmers to determine major pests for project action� Farmer field trials

Concurrent with the establishment of e-mail services at the North Malaita CPRF field office, two PestNetmoderators will visit the project area to survey plant protection problems and needs. Both moderators are experts inplant protection, one in plant pathology and root crops agronomy (who has lived on Malaita for 4 years), the otherin IPM. Both have had long Pacific careers. They will be accompanied by KGA staff who are experts in PRA, andwho are well known by North Malaita communities. The survey will be undertaken with selected families in at leasteight villages and take 2 weeks. At the end of the survey, PMN coordinating committee members will discuss theresults with the moderators and KGA staff, select pest problems that they consider most urgent, determine the mostsuitable pest management strategies for at least three, and plan farmer trials and the monitoring of results. If furtheridentification of pests and diseases are required, specimens will be sent overseas.

The project uses a low external input, sustainable agriculture, approach that is appropriate to the situation and needsof semi-subsistence farmers in remote rural areas of the Pacific.

Preliminary surveys in the area as part of a pre-feasibility study by the PMN have already identified some pestproblems of concern to farmers, that might be chosen by the project. Three examples are provided to show thetypes of problems that exist, and those that stakeholders might choose to judge if the project concept of providingtechnical expertise through a dispersed e-mail network is well founded.

Problem 1. Hibiscus cabbage (Abelmoschus manihot), the most important leafy vegetable in the country, is nowdifficult to grow on Malaita (and in some other parts of Solomon Islands) because of pest outbreaks – a problemthat has gone unnoticed by government authorities for at least 18 months because of the lack of technical services.The cause is probably due to stem borers eg Earias vittella (a pest of cotton worldwide that has been widely studiedfor parasites), and Nisotra (Podagrica) basselae, a leaf-feeding beetle, and serious pest, that spread to SolomonIslands from Papua New Guinea in the mid 1980s. If pests of this crop are chosen, and introduction of biologicalcontrol agents is required, this will be done in collaboration with quarantine staff of the Ministry of Agriculture andPrimary Industries.

Problem 2. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a major subsistence crop throughout Solomon Islands, one that is used forits corms for high quality carbohydrate as well as its nutritious leaves. Taro leaf blight (Phytophthora colocasiae)spread from Papua New Guinea after World War II, and till this day is a limiting factor in production. Breeders’lines with resistance to the disease are available in Papua New Guinea and Samoa from TaroGen - Taro GeneticResources: Conservation and Utilisation project (AusAID). Seed from these lines could be imported into SolomonIslands and tested by farmers. One of the PestNet moderators (GVHJ) was technical director of TaroGen, and couldfacilitate the introductions.

Problem 3. Taro also suffers from the ravages of Papuana beetles, indigenous pests of Solomon Islands and manyother Pacific Island countries. Control is difficult: insecticides can be used but they are not appropriate to a cropgrown for subsistence. Over the last 10 years, however, research into the biology, cultural and biological control(using viruses and fungi) has accumulated a mass of information, some of which may be very useful to farmers. Forinstance, breeding sites are not generally recognised, nor are the larvae of the beetles, which can be mistaken forother, inconsequential species. The project will provide an opportunity for farmers to receive this information andmake good use of it.

Inputs:

• Two PestNet moderators (five visits, including an evaluation, over 2 years) experts in plant pathology andentomology

• Survey expenses (including identification of pests as necessary), and reporting

Result 4: Project implemented on schedule and according to budget

Activities:

4.1 Establish coordinating committee of PMN members (plus MAPI and SPC representatives) in North Malaita tooversee the work of the project

4.2 Administration of the project by KGA Team Leader/Program Manager and PMN Senior Adviser4.3 Project implementation and monitoring visits to villages by Team Leader/KGA Program Manager and PMN

Senior Adviser4.4 Project evaluation by KGA and PestNet4.5 Regional meeting in Solomon Islands with other Pacific Island countries to disseminate the results of the

project throughout the region4.6 Project experiences documented on the PestNet website1

Deliverables:

• PMN committee established, management strategy agreed, including monitoring, and schedule of meetings• Progress reports on project implementation and village visits prepared and provided to PestNet, SPC and

World Bank• Evaluation report, 2 months before the completion of the project• A report on the regional meeting with government and non-government representatives• Website documenting project activities, results and lessons learned

Inputs:

• Operational expenses (including travel costs) for coordinating committee and project implementation andmonitoring by North Malaita sub-office and KGA

• Evaluation and regional meeting (15 persons, 6 countries): travel expenses, accommodation, per diems, venuehire, etc

D. Ultimate Beneficiaries of the Project

The ultimate beneficiaries are the farmers of Solomon Islands whose lives have been affected by recent years ethnictension and civil war, and whose livelihoods have been affected by the cessation of government service to naturalresource development. They will be provided with the opportunity to tap into expert networks to help solve factors

1 PestNet has been approached by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia to extendthe service to Southeast Asia APEC countries. AFFA has requested AusAID for funds for a PestNet website toassist with this expansion of services.

limiting crop production, pests and diseases in particular. Within the project area of North Malaita, there areapproximately 30,000 people living in coastal and remote ‘bush’ villages. It is an area, where for the last 30 years,there has been concern because of rising population pressures and declining soil fertility as fallow periods havebeen reduced. The recent back-migration of several thousand people from Guadalcanal has added to the difficultiesexperienced by the farmers.

The project offers the communities of the area the chance of breaking down the isolation that exists, of being ableto obtain information in a timely manner for agriculture and other purposes. This can have a considerable social andeconomic impact in the long term. Over a period of 2 years this may not be considerable, but attempts will be madeto quantify the impact and to assess qualitatively whether or not people feel that the presence of e-mail and inparticular contact with PestNet has made any change to their lives. At the very least, it will show farmers that thereare people in other countries with technical expertise and who are concerned to help: whether or not they make useof this will determine the success or failure of the project.

E. Staffing

The KRA will make available senior staff in both the Honiara office and the North Malaita sub-office. Thesepersons (KGA Project Manger, Community Field Officer and PMN Senior Adviser) will supervise the projectlocally. A CFO who will be responsible for creating awareness and monitoring the use of information by farmers,including field trials, to meet their plant protection needs. Two PestNet moderators (entomologist and plantpathologist) will take part in the base-line survey, and visit the project on four further occasions, to monitor the pestand disease management strategies agreed in discussion with PMN members at the beginning of the project, andsuggest changes if necessary. During these visits, the moderators will provide training to the CFO and other KGAstaff in taking digital photographs and manipulating the images, as well as meeting with farmers to discuss localpest and disease identification and control measures.

The staff to be employed under the project are summarised below:

Name Gender Citizenship Present position Role in project

Roselyn Kabu - Female Solomon Is Program Manager Team Leader (and KGAMaemouri Malaita Project Manager)Tony Jansen Male Australia PMN Adviser/KGA PMN Adviser Solomon Is

Capacity BuilderMatilda Koikoi Female Solomon Is Community Field Community Field OfficerWilco Liebregts Male The Netherlands PestNet moderator Entomologist

FijiGrahame Jackson Male UK/Australia PestNet moderator Plant pathologist

Australia

F. Administration

Financial management of the project will be the responsibility of PestNet, through the moderator in Fiji. Themoderator has a well-equipped office dealing with plant protection and environment projects throughout the region,and has experience with the financial requirements of numerous donors (the moderator in Australia will assist).Project imprest accounts will be opened in Fiji and Solomon Islands. KRA financial management is also of anequally high standard. In 2000, it was recognised as a model program by the Australian Council for Overseas Aid.The technical manager of PFnet will take charge of equipment procurement, its installation and backstopping of thee-mail link established at the Malaita sub-office. PFnet was set up by UNOPS and as such, the staff haveinternational experience in equipment procurement and the establishment of ICT systems. The technical managerwill advise PestNet what is to be purchased and if it is more convenient to access equipment from outside SolomonIslands.

PestNet and KGA have the resources to produce progress reports and to distribute them. The reports will be sent tothe Ministry of Agriculture and Primary Industries, Solomon Islands, infoDev, and placed on the PestNet web site,with summaries to regional newsletters, such as that published by the SPC.

G. Budget

Specific Costs (US$)Total

requiredfunding

Of Which

Personnel Materials/equipment

Travel/Meetings

Other InfoDev Otherfunding

Result 1

Purchase equipment1 10,000 10,000 0 10,000

Set up and provide training 1,400 1,400 1,400

Provide technical backstopping 400 400 400

Establish office at Silolo1 2,000 2,000 0 2,000

Result 2

Community Field Officer & travel 12,172 2,400 14,572 11,222 3,350

Meetings, workshops, PRAs 2,550 2,550 2,550

Production extension materials 3,000 3,000 3,000

Result 3

PestNet surveys & training1,2 23,800 350 8,700 32,850 7,650 25,200

Pest identifications 700 700 0 700

Result 4

Coordinating committee 108 420 528 528

Project administration 2,920 450 126 3,496 3,496

Project monitoring2 7,960 1,260 9,220 2,109 7,111

Participation of MAPI2 5,020 5,020 0 5,020

Dissemination of lessons learned3 9,990 1,000 7,360 18,350 17,360 990Audit2 1,000 1,000 500 500

Total 59,642 16,908 27,836 700 105,086 50,215 54,871

1 Funds from the Community Peace and Restoration Fund (AusAID)2 Cost sharing by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community3 Includes Evaluation and regional meeting to disseminate findings to other Pacific Island countries

The technical manager of PFnet will take charge of equipment procurement, its installation and backstopping of the e-mail linkestablished in the Malaita sub-office. PFnet was set up by UNOPS and, as such, the staff have international experience inequipment procurement and the establishment of ICT systems. The technical manager will advise PestNet what is to bepurchased and if it is more convenient to access equipment from outside Solomon Islands.

The recommended list of equipment (from PFnet) for the sub-office at North Malaita includes: a) ICOM M700Pro (or TY withScan) modem with FL100 Filter plus AH710 antenna; b) SWISS-PTC-2 modem plus WaveMail software2; c) Toshiba 440laptop computer with Windows95; d) Canon BJ1000 inkjet printer and spare cartridges; e) 80W solar panel; f) power converter,regulator and 150AHr deep cycle battery. PFnet will charge an initial fee to set up the e-mail link and train staff on Malaita, andan annual subscription fee (SBD200) for technical backstopping.

The KGA will make available senior staff in both the Honiara office and the North Malaita sub-office. These persons willsupervise the project locally. Supervision and monitoring are critical to the success of this project. To reflect this, a significantproportion of the resources is allocated to these activities. Costs have been included for the travel and subsistence of co-ordinating committee members (but no fees). Project administration at the KGA sub-office North Malaita has been calculated onthe assumption that the person will spend at least one day per week on project activities: 10 weeks over 2 years (US$25 perday). Project monitoring will be done through regular visits (schedule to be decided by the coordinating committee) by the PMN

2 Tests have shown that a 55K jpg file can be sent via the modem in 20 minutes. A 640 x 480 standardresolution jpg compressed by 20% to 25K (using eg Photoshop) would be sufficiently clear for pestidentification purposes.3 The manual, approx. 150 pages with drawings, concerns indigenous pest control practices in Solomon Islands.Technical content will be added by PestNet moderators, giving scientific rationale for the traditional remedies.

Senior Adviser and the Team Leader/KGA project manager. A total of 12 weeks has been allocated for this purpose (US$90 perday for the Senior Adviser).

The project will employ a CFO who will be responsible for creating awareness and monitoring the use of information byfarmers, including field trials, to meet their plant protection needs. Apart from the salary of the CFO, amounts have beenincluded for the production and dissemination of extension materials (for instance, leaflets on PestNet and encouraging farmersto use it, and on specific pest and disease problems and control measures). Funds have also been allocated for the CFO's travelby truck and canoe to monitor project activities and to train farmers.

Two PestNet moderators (entomologist and plant pathologist) will take part in the base-line survey, and visit the project every 5months thereafter (total of 5 visits, including the terminal evaluation) to monitor the pest management strategies agreed indiscussion with PMN members at the beginning of the project, and suggest changes if necessary. These visits will total 10 weeksover 2 years (US$120 per person per day). During these visits, the moderators will provide training to the CFO and otherKGA/PMN staff in taking digital photographs and manipulating the images, as well as meeting with farmers to discuss localpest and disease identification and control measures. Where pests cannot be identified by PestNet experts, they may need to besent to specialist organisations that may charge for their services. A small allocation has been included in the budgetfor this purpose.

PestNet and PMN will arrange the 3-day regional meeting in Honiara; two participants will travel from each of five PacificIsland countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu) to discuss the results of the project, and makerecommendations for replication elsewhere in the region. Costs have been based on 5 days (to include travel time), withaccommodation at US$85 per day and subsistence at US$35 per day (if participants travel to Malaita, projected costs ofaccommodation will be used for travel, as they will be hosted by PMN farmers). Costs have been included for five SolomonIsland representatives each at US$120 per day in Honiara, and local airfares from Malaita for two participants (US$160).

In-kind contributions will be made by the PMN (including the Baetolau Network) and PestNet personnel. The costs of villagevisits will be subsidised by members of the Baetolau Network who will host the CFO. The CFO will spend approximately 50per cent of the time on tour, over a period of 20 months, and the contribution is estimated at SBD30 a day or US$2150 for theentire period. This has reduced the subsistence allowance of the CFO to US$3/day in the budget. Accommodation for the CFO(and other visiting staff) will be provided at Mana’abu (near Silolo), without cost to the project; it is estimated atSBD250/month, or US$1200.

The CPRF, in addition to a financial contribution, will also allow the use of its vehicle during the visits of PestNet moderatorsand PMN Senior Adviser. There will be five visits, and if the truck is used on, say, two days per visit, the costs is estimated atUS$1200 (hire charges on Malaita are SBD500/day – the price of fuel is high, roads poorly maintained, and spare parts veryexpensive).

The KGA will provide its facilities at Burns Creek - communications system, computer, desk top publishing - at no cost to theproject. Its value is SBD30, 000. If it is assumed that it will be in use for 5 years, and it is used 10 per cent of the time for projectactivities, then the contribution is US$150. In addition, the PMN Senior Adviser and the PestNet plant protection personnel willnot charge fees for the evaluation meeting (3 days), estimated at US$990; nor will PestNet moderators charge for editing themanual to be produced by the project. No estimate of in-kind contribution has been made for this, but it is likely to take severalweeks’ work3. This manual will be useful in other countries of the region.

H. Sustainability plan

The impact of the project will be judged by the extent to which farmers make use of the e-mail link. The KGA willfind funds for the monthly PFnet fee from its recurrent budget (it will consider generating income by charging fore-mail services for non-project activities). If shown to be a success, it may be possible for the Ministry ofAgriculture and Primary Industries (and/or KGA) to replicate the service on other islands, and other countries in theregion may see the benefits and establish similar e-mail networks.

PestNet is sustainable (as long as the web-based facility of Yahoo!Groups remains active): the service is run byfour volunteer moderators, with 375 members from research institutes and universities from around the world. Thesustainability of PFnet remains to be seen, but donors have given support, and now community interest is gatheringpace. People are willing to pay for messages to be sent, and several agencies working in Solomon Islands are keento use the service. These developments suggest that sustainability is not likely to be a problem.

The regional plant protection service of the SPC (EU and AusAID funded) has reviewed this proposal and has seenits merit for Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries where rural populations are isolated and lack readyaccess to information. The service has provided US$37,000 in support of the project, so that, in the even that it issuccessful, other parts of the Solomon Islands can be assisted in a similar way, and the concept developed in twoother Pacific Island countries. The plant protection service extension officer will be involved closely (at the

organisation’s expense) in the pilot study. Details of the arrangements are provided in annexes to this proposal.

I. Evaluation Plan

The project has four results and these outputs will be evaluated by determining whether equipment has beenpurchased and installed, farmers are using the e-mail network to access information on plant pests and diseases,they are using the information provided, and how it is being adapted for practical application with their indigenousknowledge. Due account will be taken of the different household members.The impact will be evaluated by ascertaining whether the number of farmers using the e-mail network to accessinformation on plant pests and diseases has increased annually, and whether advice provided has been used toreinvigorate the production of the selected crops. The capacity of farmers to share the information through formaland informal networks linked to the e-mail service will also be an indicator of the success of the project. After twoyears, it is not expected that the project will have made a substantial economic impact; it is too short a time, and theproject is working with crops grown for subsistence. But to be considered successful, there should be trendstowards reduced damage or increased area of the crops of concern. In addition, farmer satisfaction with the level ofinformation available will be assessed at the beginning and before the end of the project.

It is expected that the e-mail connection once established will be used for issues other than plant protection. Thiswill be welcomed. The project will monitor this and use the information in the final evaluation. The frequentcoordination meetings, which will include SPC and MAPI staff in addition to those of the project and farmers willmonitor the progress of the project and make changes to the work plan as implementation proceeds.

Experience in the evaluation of information systems projects have shown the limitations of before-and-aftersurveys, and this project will take note of this. An IRDC evaluation of a project in India implemented by theSwaminathan Research Foundation found that “the system itself changes the nature of the experiment and shifts thefocus of the research question……. Before-and-after surveys that have a rigid design run the risk of suffering fromdiminishing worth as the experiment proceeds”4. In this evaluation they chose to evaluate base line surveys andexpectations of the project against success stories, gleaned from interviews of users and operators.

J. Time Line

Month (frombeginning of project)

Actions

1 • PMN coordinating committee formed; schedule of monitoring/meetings agreed• Community Field Officer recruited

1-4 • Equipment purchased, delivered & installed• Staff trained to send e-mails, take photos & attach to e-mail• CPRF field office North Malaita extended

3 • Baseline pest survey conducted• Choice of pests and management options decided for farmer trials

3-23 • Monitoring visits by CFO

4-7 • Extension materials developed, tested and disseminated

7-9 • Community awareness PRAs• Second PMN coordinating committee/monitoring meeting (with

KGA/PestNet); report prepared/distributed13 • Third PMN coordinating committee/monitoring meeting (with KGA/PestNet);

report prepared/distributed18 • Fourth PMN coordinating committee/monitoring meeting held (with

KGA/PestNet); report prepared/distributed23 • Fifth PMN coordinating committee/monitoring meeting; report

prepared/distributed• Evaluation & regional meeting; report prepared/distributed• Terminal report prepared and distributed

4 Success Stories of Rural ICTs in a Developing Country. Report of the PANAsia Telecenter Learning &Evaluation Group's Mission to India, involving visits to the Foundation of Occupational Development and theM.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, November 1999(http://www.mssrf.org/informationvillage/pantlegmissionreport.html).

Activity Responsibility 1st Year 2nd YearJ A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J

Project coordinating committee formed KGA

Recruit Community Field Officer KGA

Baseline surveys/PRAs; pests targeted PestNet/KGA/PMN

Purchase/install equipment; train staff KGA/PFnet

Extension materials developed KGA/PMN/PestNet

Extension materials tested KGA/PMN

Awareness creation: village PRAs KGA/PMN

E-mail network in use/trials monitored KGA/PMN/PestNet

Village visits and monitoring KGA/PMN

Coordinating cttee mtg/annual review KGA/PMN/PestNet

Evaluation and regional meeting KGA/PestNet

IX. Appendices (as required)

1. Duty statements of project staff2. Letters of association (attached files)

• KGA, PMN, PFnet• Secretariat of the Pacific Community• Community Peace and Restoration Fund

3. Letter of support from ACIAR (attached file)4. Registration certificate of PestNet (attached file), and5. PestNet annual report 2001

Duty statements of the project staff

1. Team Leader and KGA project manager

The Team Leader/KGA Program Manager is presently co-manager of Kastom Gaden Association projects,including the Integrated Pest Management Program on Malaita (near to termination), emphasizing improved pestmanagement techniques using traditional approaches. She has considerable experience using PRA tools, workingwith women and family groups on many aspects of food security.

The Team Leader/KGA Program Manager will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of the project onMalaita. This will include the supervision and support of the CFO, visits to villages to carry out PRAs to determinethe relative importance of pests and diseases at the start of the project, encouraging PMN members and others touse the service, routine assessments of control strategies, and the relevance and interest within the project area foraccessing information via PestNet.

It will be the responsibility of the Team Leader/KGA Program Manager to maintain detailed records of themessages sent to and received from PestNet, that relevant replies are delivered to farmers as soon as possible, andin a form that can be readily understood. The Team Leader/KGA Program Manager will be responsible for theproduction of 6-monthly reports produced by the project.

2. Community Field Officer

The Community Field Officer has been working with KGA for two years assisting farmers to carry out field trialson locally developed pest management strategies. She has extensive networks of local farmers, especially women,in the project area and is a fluent in local languages.

The CFO will work under the supervision of the Team Leader/KGA Program Manager. She will be responsible forraising awareness within the project area about that the service that has been established as well as encouragingfarmers and government officials to make use of it. Awareness raising will be done by radio broadcasts, producingand distrubuting leaflets and through village visits to PMN members and other farmers. Government extension sub-stations and Provincial offices will also be contacted. Leaflets will be written in the local language describing thenew service as well as control methods of crop pests and diseases identified during surveys with externalconsultants, and selected together with the PMN coordinating committee.

In addition to the routine visits to villages to raise awareness, the CFO will also assess the use of the service, pass

replies to questions submitted to PestNet, determine the relevance of the suggestions made, and monitor the controlstrategies of the selected pests and diseases. In some cases, it may be necessary to compare different pest controlmethods.

The CFO will report in writing after each tour of the project area to the Team Leader/KGA Project Manager.

3. PMN Senior Adviser.

The PMN Senior Advisor is capacity builder of the Kastom Gaden Association, which aims to promote foodsecurity at a village level in Solomon Islands, using participatory farmer led approaches. The KGA has helped withthe establishment of the Planting Materials Network, whose work is seen as an example of effective communityparticipation particularly crucial to the rebuilding process since the end of civil unrest.

The PMN Senior Advisor will assist the Team Leader/KGA Project Manger in all issues relating to the project,including financial matters. He will liaise with the manager PFnet to ensure the timely ordering, installation andmaintenance of the equipment at the KGA field-office on Malaita, and the training of project staff. He will alsoensure that staff of Government agencies are involved in project activities, in particular those working inagriculture extension within the Ministry of Agriculture and Primary Industries, and the Malaita Provincialadministration.

After the establishment of the e-mail facility, and the transfer of the CFO to full-time project activities, the maintask of the PMN Senior Advisor will be to monitor the project. Regular visits will be made to Malaita to review thework with project staff and to discuss progress with the PMN coordinating committee. Reports will be prepared anddistributed within Solomon Islands, to regional organizations and the World Bank.

The PMN Senior Advisor will take part in the evaluation of the project in the second year and will be responsiblefor local arrangements leading to the regional workshop, and the final project report assessing the success of theproject and whether replication elsewhere in Solomon Islands will be beneficial.

4. Project Entomologist.

The person is a PestNet moderator (Secretary), and IPM expert with specialist knowledge of Pacific Island pests.

The Entomologist will research the literature on pests of Solomon Islands and then undertake surveys on NorthMalaita with the plant pathologist employed under the project, the PMN Adviser, KGA staff and Governmentextension officers. During the surveys important pests will be collected, processed for herbarium specimens and forlater identification overseas, if necessary. A collection of pests in the area will be assembled at the KGA sub-officeMalaita. Training will be provided to KGA staff to curate insects in order to enlarge the collection, and todetermine if natural enemies are present. Immediately following the survey, the Entomologist will attend a meetingto discuss the findings with members of the PMN coordinating committee, and with them decide on the mostappropriate management practices for the pests chosen for further study under the project. During the visit, trainingwill also be given on digital photography so that photographs of insects can be emailed to taxonomists foridentification online.

The Entomologist will visit Solomon Islands (with the Plant Pathologist) on a further four occasions for furthersurveys and to discuss the activities and results from the project with the PMN coordinating committee. Ifnecessary, changes to the pest management strategies will be suggested. The final visit at the end of the secondyear, will also involve an evaluation of the project and discussion of the results with a wider, regional audience.

The Entomologist, together with the Plant Pathologist will write reports on the visits and the evaluation of theproject, and ensure that the reports are distributed throughout the region. Summaries will be prepared for regionalnewsletters and the PestNet web site.

Together with the Plant Pathologist, the Entomologist will take overall responsibility for the management of theproject, ensuring that activities are carried out according to agreed schedules and within budget. The co-managerswill also ensure that reports are written by those responsible and distributed in a timely manner.

5. Project Plant Pathologist.

The person is a PestNet moderator (Chairperson), and an expert in crop diseases in Pacific Island countries. He is aco-author of a check-list of diseases of Solomon Islands, and a book on those of the region.

The Plant Pathologist will carry out literature searches for plant diseases recorded in Solomon Islands in recentyears, and with the Entomologist and other staff employed under the project (see above), make a survey of currentdiseases of economic importance in North Malaita. During the surveys important plant diseases will be collected,processed as herbarium specimens and for later identification overseas, if necessary. A collection of plant diseasesin the area will be assembled at the KGA sub-office Malaita, and local staff trained to maintain and to add to thecollection. Immediately following the survey, the Plant Pathologist will attend a meeting to discuss the findings ofthe survey with members of the PMN coordinating committee, and with them decide on the most appropriatemanagement practices for the diseases chosen for further study under the project. During the visit, training will alsobe given on digital photography so that symptoms of plant diseases can be emailed to taxonomists for identificationonline.

The Plant Pathologist will again visit Solomon Islands (with the Entomologist) on four further occasions to makefurther surveys and to discuss the activities and results from the project with the PMN coordinating committee. Ifnecessary, changes to the disease management strategies will be suggested. A final visit at the end of the secondyear, will also involve an evaluation of the project and discussion of the results with a wider, regional audience.

The Plant Pathologist, together with the Entomologist will write reports on the visits and the evaluation of theproject, and ensure that the reports are distributed throughout the region. Summaries will be prepared for regionalnewsletters and the PestNet web site.

CVs key staff members

NAME: Roselyn KABU MAEMOURI

DATE OF BIRTH: 22nd February 1973

ADDRESS: Kastom Gaden, Field Office, Mana’abu, Maluba Postal Agency, North Malaita

NATIONALITY: Solomon Islander

LANGUAGES: Malaitan Mother TonguePigin (excellent spoken and written)English (proficient spoken and written)

PROFESSIONAL MEMEBERSHIP:Member of the DSE (Development Services Exchange)Management Committee (umbrella NGO body of the Solomon Islands)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:Kastom Gaden Association (KGA), June 2001 – present, Program Manager (Solomon Island NGO)Ms Kabu Maemouri has co-responsibility for the management of KGA projects and activities, working closely withMr Jansen. She is being trained to have increasing responsibility for KGA activities. Her responsibilities include:

• supervising, coordinating and training 10 staff based throughout the Solomon Islands;• ensuring timely achievement of project activities, milestones and project reporting;• approval of annual and quarterly project budgets; and• developing and approving Six Monthly and Annual Plans.

Ms Kabu Maemouri is responsible for ensuring sound and appropriate participatory techniques are used in allaspects of the project cycle in KGA activities. She is responsible for facilitating project workshops throughoutvarious provinces of the Solomon Islands. Using a variety of participatory techniques, including PRA tools, MsKabu Maemouri facilitates the participation of stakeholders in workshops and other project activities.

Workshops facilitated include: awareness raising workshops (eg. child and family nutrition, indigenous farmingtechniques); training trainers and project coordinators in participatory techniques, strategic planning and budgets;and PRA workshops for baseline data collection for project design (eg. food security and nutrition assessment). Sheis responsible for training all staff in participatory processes.

Ms Kabu Maemouri is responsible for the following KGA projects: Integrated Pest Management Program, theLauru Kastom Gaden Project, the Babatana Bush Foods Project, the Seed Distribution to Displaced PeopleCommunity Peace and Restoration Fund Project, and the Planting Materials Network (PMN). Further details ofthese projects and activities are below.

Kastom Gaden Program, January 1998 – June 2001, Project Coordinator, (AusAID funded through APACE

– an Australian NGO)As the KGP’s Project Coordinator, Ms Kabu Maemouri worked closely with the KGP Program Manager, MrJansen, in coordinating the project activities of the KGP including: the Integrated Pest Management Program, theLauru Kastom Gaden Project, and the Babatana Bush Foods Project, Seed Distribution to Displaced PeopleAusAID Community Peace and Restoration Fund Project, and the Planting Materials Network (PMN). Thisincluded responsibilities in the coordinating, supervising and monitoring the technical and administrativecomponents of projects.

Project specific responsibilities included:

Integrated Pest Management Program (June 1999 – present ), Malaita:Ms Kabu Maemouri initiated, developed and facilitated the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management(IPM) Program in Malaita, based on the locally identified need for improved pest management techniques. She wasresponsible for all aspects of planning and implementation of the IPM Program.

Baseline data was collected in numerous villages in North Malaita using PRA tools with women and family groups.Information of pest problems occurring in bush and sup sup (kitchen) gardens, food consumption, and the roles andresponsibilities of men and women were collected, and garden surveys were conducted. Ms Kabu Maemouricollated and analysed the information collected from these PRA exercises and facilitated a workshop to present thefindings, and discuss issues raised and options for addressing problems identified. In this process the communitygroups identified the need and desire to participate in trails of various indigenous techniques of pest control farmingtechniques.

Over one season various farmers trailed the techniques identified. Ms Kabu Maemouri coordinated the setting up offield trails. She also visited the farmers numerous times to discuss progress and identify any problems. At the endof the season she facilitated a workshops to share the results of the trials. Now these techniques are being widelyused throughout North Malaita. Innovative farmers were involved in workshops in other provinces to share theirtechniques and lessons learned.

Ms Kabu Maemouri collated the information collected including trial results, lessons learnt, IPM techniquesidentified and methods for improving soil fertility. She was responsible for project monitoring and reporting.

Lauru Kastom Gaden Project (from – to), Choisel June 1998 – June 2000 (2 years):This project involved activities for raising the awareness of the benefits of, and training in the maintenance of, supsup (kitchen) gardens to assist mothers to incorporate greens in the family diet on a daily basis. The Kastom GardenProgram was contacted by staff of the Sasamuqa Community Hospital to provide extension to mothers in somesimple methods for establishing and maintaining sup sup gardens. The hospital had recorded high rates ofunderweight infants in the community (30% underweight). PRA surveys were used to identify issues constrainingthe daily incorporation of green vegetables in family diets. Two of the key issues identified were: (1) the substantialdistance to bush gardens sometimes constrained daily visits and hence daily collection of fresh vegetables,particularly at times of bad weather and festival times; (2) lack of awareness of the importance of balanced diets,especially green leafy vegetables in child nutrition.

Ms Kabu Maemouri was responsible for training local coordinators/trainers. The people trained were peopleselected by their villages to run community workshops on how to establish sup sup gardens, and issues of childnutrition. Ms Kabu Maemouri was responsible for implementation of project activities. Throughout the project shewas involved in monitoring activities and continual training.

The number of underweight infants in the community recorded by Sasamuqa Community Hospital was reduced byhalf over 2 years. Sup sup gardens are now a common feature of local villages to supplement production from bushgardens.

Babatana Bush Foods Project (1998 – 1999, 1 year), Choiseul:Ms Kabu Maemouri assisted with the management and implementation of this Babatana Bush Food Project. Shewas involved in preparing and facilitating bush food workshops, in primary schools and community groups, withwomen, children, and elders. She was responsible for facilitating workshops with school teachers to devise methodsfor incorporating activities about local bush foods and knowledge into primary school curriculum, includingcollecting plant specimens and leaves.

Planting Material Network (PMN) (throughout period), SI:Throughout this period Ms Kabu Maemouri continued her involvement in the management of the PMN, includingtraining and building the capacity of PMN staff.

Kastom Gaden Program (KGP), October 2000 – March 2001 (5 months), and October 1999 – December (10weeks), Acting Manager: While the Program Manager was away for the above periods, Ms Kabu Maemouri hadprimary responsibility for KGP management and activities. She was responsible for:

• monitoring of project activities;• facilitating workshops;• supervising and coordinating 5 program staff, including staff training and developing performance

agreements;• supervising financial management of the program, facilitating workshops;• liasing with APACE Sydney; and• project reporting.

During this time she had primary responsibility for the management of the following projects:• Lauru Kastom Gatden project (coordinator)• IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Malaita project• Babatana Project• Seed Distribution to Displaced People, Community Peace and Restoration Project; and the• Planting Materials Network

From 1998 – June 2001, as the KGP Project Coordinator, Ms Kabu Maemouri also presented papers at, andparticipated in, the following seminars and conferences:

• Shifting Cultivation Towards Sustainability and Resource Conservation in Asia (Philippines), 2000• Development Services Exchange (DSE) Capacity Building Conference, 1999• Improvement and Development of Traditional Farming Systems for the South Pacific, 1999• 3rd PIANGO Council Meeting, Vanuatu, 1999• DSE National Planning Seminar, Honiara, SI, 1998• APACE Strategic Planning Seminar, Honiara, 1998• PMN Hakama Cconference, 1998• Women and Environment (NGO representative) INSTRAW, and Solomon Island College of Higher

Education• Capacity 21 Sustainable Development of Natural Resources, SIPPEO and South Pacific Regional

Environment Program (SPREP), Honiara, SI, 1998• PMN Planning Seminar, Honiara, SI organiser and presenter, 1997• Seed Savers Annual Conference, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, 1997• Planting Material Network (PMN), Australasia Permaculture Conference, NSW, Australia, 1997

Kastom Gaden Program, January 1995 – December 1997, Planting Material Network (PMN) Coordinator/KGP Administrator (AusAID funded through APACE): As the KGP Administrator and PMN Coordinator, Ms Kabu Maemouri’s responsibilities included:

• Facilitating workshops in Choisuel, Malaita, Guadacanal (including workshops on intensification ofshifting cultivation, soil improvement, seedsaving techniques);

• Training of village trainers (skills transfer);• Project administration, including project accounting;• Reporting quarterly on finances to Sydney APACE Head Office;• Organising workshops, eg venues, transport, accommodation, cooks; and• Networking with members and other NGOs.

Mana’abu Community Education Centre, 1991 – 1994, Secretary/Treasurer Womens Group: As the Secretary/Treasurer of the Mana’abu Community Education Centre’s Womens Group Ms Kabu Maemourhad the following responsibilities:

• Coordinating meetings and workshops• Managing centres accounts income/expenditures• Preparation of minutes;• Pre-class teacher (volunteer)• Sunday School teacher• Nutrition instructor

TRAINING

• Producing Resource Manuals Certificate, IIRR Philipines, 2000• Traditional Farming System Certificate, Alafua Campus Samoa, 1999• School Bush Food Curriculum Program, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) & Appropriate Technology for

Communities and Environment (APACE), 1999• Gender Development Monitoring and Evaluation training course

Ministry of Agriculture/NZODA Honiara, (1 week), 1998• Ethnobotanical Workshop,Sasamuna, Choisuel Province SI (1week), 1998• Attachment with international NGO: Australian Seed Savers Network, Australia, Byron bay (1week),

1997

• Community Seed Banking Course, Seed Savers Network, Visale, SI (1 week), 1995• Home Economic Curriculum Workshop, Curriculum Development, Batuna Solomon Islands Association

of Rural Training Centres (SIARTC) (2 weeks), 1994• Bookkeeping Administration Course , Church of Melanesia Malaita (2 weeks), 1993• Certificate Credit Union Roles and Responsibility, Solomon Islands Credit Union League Gwounasu

Malaita, (2 weeks), 1993• Income Generating Workshop DSE Mana’abu, Malaita, (1 week), 1993• Certificate Project Proposal Appraisal, World Vision International, Mana’abu Malaita (2 weeks), 1992

EDUCATION• Community Nutrition Certificate, University of the South Pacific (Semester 1 complete, Semester 2 to be

completed), 1999• Agriculture Bridging Course, Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE), 1996• Grade 7 to 9 Tangarare Secondary School• Grade 1 to 6 Ngalibiu Primary School

Community Field Officer

NAME: Matlilda KOIKO

DATE OF BIRTH: 15th June 1974

ADDRESS: Takwa VillageN/East MalaitaMalaita ProvinceSolomon Islands

NATIONALITY: Solomon Islander

LANGUAGES: English (proficient written and spoken)Pigin (excellent)Lau (Malaitan mother tongue)

TRAINING: Training Young Women’s Program (1 month), Malaita, 1998Agriculture and Home Economics Course (2 years), Visale Rural TrainingCentre, Guadalcanal, 1992 - 1993Grade 6, Takwa School, 1989

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

October 1999 – present, Community Field Officer, Solomon Islands Planting Materials Network (PMN)(Solomon Islands NGO)Since Ms Koiko commenced the position of Community Field Officer with the Solomon Islands Planting MaterialsNetwork (PMN), she has completed a range of responsibilities.

Initially Ms Koiko was primarily involved with the PMN Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program in Malaita.She was responsible for collecting and recording information from farmers about pest problems, and the varioustechniques different farmers use to minimise the impact of pests on their gardens/food production. Ms Koikoassisted with facilitating various IPM workshops throughout the program. For one year Ms Koiko was responsiblefor assisting with 23 farm trials of pest management techniques in 5 villages in Malaita, including the collating oftrial results.

From May - August 2001 Ms Koiko was based in three PMN centres in Isabel, Western Province and Guadalcanalfor approximately one month each. During this time she worked with PMN staff, assisting with the planting,harvesting, curation, and distribution of seeds to PMN farmer members. During this time Ms Koiko receivedtraining in the PMN seed curation processes. She was trained in the procedures and recording systems the PMNmaintains to ensure a high standard of seed production, and efficient and effective seed distribution to farmermembers.

As a PMN staff member, Ms Koiko was involved in a workshop for the Australian Agency for InternationalDevelopment (AusAID) September 2001 Mission. During the workshop issues discussed included NGOactivities/programs throughout the Solomon Islands. Ms Koiko was asked to discuss the situation in Malaita during

the tensions, and the impact the tensions have had on life and work in Malaita.

Throughout September & October 2001, Ms Koiko was involved in preparing a PMN ‘Baetolau’ 2 day farmerworkshop in North Malaita. The PMN Baetolau Farmer Network group is a local PMN group in North Malaitacovering the area of 3 language groups Baelelea Toambaita and Lau that functions as a local group within the SIPMN. Baetolau Farmers Network is a network of farmers and families interested in improving food production andfamily nutrition through exchanging experiences and ideas within the network. Ms Koiko was responsible forraising awareness about the workshop and the work of the PMN in local villages prior to the workshop. She wasalso involved in preparing and facilitating the workshop, that was attended by approximately 45 farmers fromNorth Malaita. The workshop included discussion of the feasibility of a proposed ‘Youth Livelihood’ farmenterprise project; exchange of planting materials between attendees; facilitation of the distribution of seeds to localdisplaced families; and a local farm visit to consider a range of organic farming techniques that are beingsuccessfully adopted locally.

May 1998 - October 1999 (18 months), Young Women’s Program, (Solomon Islands Government Program)Ms Koiko worked for the Young Women’s Program of the Catholic Church funded by the Solomon Islands (SI)Government in rural areas of the SI. She was responsible for running training activities for local women throughoutMalaita. The program included training activities in agricultural techniques, health issues and religion.

REFEREES:

Mary PaulaCommunity workerTakwa Postal AgencyTakwa, North MalaitaSolomon Islands

Tony JansenManagerKastom Gaden AssociationPO Box 742HoniaraSolomon IslandsPh/Fax: (677)39551Email: tonyj@solomon.com.sb

Planting Material Network (Senior Advisor)

NAME: Antony Stefan JANSEN

ADDRESS: Solomon Islands: PO Box 742, Honiara, Solomon IslandsAustralian Postal Address: 83 Rednal St, MonaVale, NSW, 2103

CONTACTS: Phone: + (677) 39551Email: tonyj@solomon.com.sb or tony_goes_wokabout@hotmail.com

CITIZENSHIP: Australian, currently resident in Solomon Islands

DATE OF BIRTH: 5 December 1970

LANGUAGES: English (native tongue)Solomon Pidgin (proficient)Papua New Guinea Pidgin (working knowledge)Spanish (working knowledge)Babatana: South Choiseul, Solomon Islands (basic)Lau: North Malaita, Solomon Islands (basic)

COUNTRIES WORKED Solomon Islands, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, India.

AWARDS: Sir Edward Dunlop Memorial Young Australian of the Year Award,Queens Trust for Young Australians, 1998: Awarded for work in assistingindigenous communities in Solomon Islands and Ecuador in their aspirationsfor sustainable agriculture and food security

Community Service Award, Australian Permaculture Institute, 1995: Forwork in assisting with the establishment of the Madre Selva Permaculture

Training Centre in a remote Afro-American / indigenous community: SanLorenzo, Ecuador, South America

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:Partner: Terra Circle - project development group focussed on developingfood security and community health initiatives at the village level in Melanesia.

PR0FESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:July 2001 to present, Manager/Capacity Buider, Kastom Gaden Association (position funded by AustralianVolunteers International)Mr Jansen is currently supported by Australian Volunteers International (AVI) in the position of Manager /CapacityBuilder to the Kastom Gaden Association (KGA). The KGA is a local Solomon Island NGO focusing onstrengthening food security at a village level in the Solomon Islands, using participatory farmer led approaches.The farmer networks that the KGA works with are spread throughout the SI. The KGA is a continuation of theAPACE (an Australian NGO) funded Kastom Garden Program’s goals, approach and activities. Mr Jansen’s workwith the APACE Kastom Garden Program facilitated the establishment of two local Solomon Island NGOs, theKGA and the Planting Materials Network (PMN).

Mr Jansen is currently one of the three Australian Volunteers Abroad (AVA’s) placed in the Solomon Islandsduring this period of civil unrest, to assist the rebuilding process post conflict. Mr Jansen is facilitating continuedtraining to build the capacity of 10 National staff, volunteers, and village level organizations working with theKGA and PMN.

Mr Jansen currently holds the position of Senior Adviser to the Planting Materials Network (PMN) Board. ThePMN, a network initiated under the APACE Kastom Garden Program in 1996, in May 2001 developed a formalautonomous structure. The PMN is focusses on promoting farm conservation and self reliance in planting materialsand sustainable agriculture. Mr Jansen is providing specific technical advise for project activities and continuedcapacity building of staff, including staff training, supervision, and continuous systems improvement.

Mr Jansen also currently holds the following responsibilities:• Project Manager: Strengthening Food Security for Bougainville Project Australians for Peace, Health and

Education Abroad (APHEDA), AusAID funded, (4 one month inputs from July 2000 - March 2002). Theproject is focused on capacity building of the agriculture department and rural training centre in a remote areaof Bougainville. Mr Jansen is responsible for the training of trainers working with extension officers usingindigenous extension approaches. The training has included training in participatory planning, trainingprogram curriculum development, project cycles, management skills, strategic planning, budgeting andfinancial systems development and maintenance.

• Project Manager: ‘Collection, Description, Documentation, and on farm conservation of Taro in SolomonIslands’. Responsible for managing the collection, description and documentation of on farm conservation ofTaro in the Solomon Islands as a part of the Pacific Regional Taro Genetic Resource Conservation Project,AusAID/ South Pacific Commission. Collections have occurred in four provinces: Choiseul, Guadal Canal,Temoto and Malaita. Mr Jansen was responsible for coordinating the collection of information throughout thefour provinces, including training staff in using PRA methods for working with farmers. He has beenresponsible for working with Rural Training Centres and local communities to establish four field gene banksthroughout the four provinces. He has been responsible for managing the contract with ACIL including liasingwith the Australian TL, the SPCTL and the PD on project issues.

July 1998 to June 2001, Program Manager: Kastom Garden Program, Solomon Islands. AppropriateTechnology for Community and Environment Inc. (APACE)Mr Jansen was responsible for the overall program management of the Kastom Garden Program, an integratedprogram focused on promoting sustainable agriculture. His responsibilities included: technical input into agriculturetraining modules including participatory assessment methodologies, participatory technology development;capacity building of local organisations; farmer field trials and ethnobotany; project monitoring and evaluation;staff development and support; administrative systems development; budgeting; financial monitoring, and desk toppublishing.

Throughout this period Mr Jansen was also has the following responsibilities:• Project Manager: Agriculture Department Capacity Building Project, Bougainville. APACE and

APHEDA, AusAID funded. Mr Jansen was responsible for the overall management of this AusAID fundedcapacity building project in a remote training center of a former BRA controlled area. He was responsible fortraining staff in participatory planning, strategic planning, project monitoring, and sourcing of expertise andtraining materials.

• Livelihood Development Specialist: AusAID Forward Planning Seminar for the Solomon Islands AidProgram, Canberra, March 2001. Mr Jansen participated in an AusAID workshop that discussed options for

redirecting Australia’s aid program in the Solomon Islands, post conflict. Mr Jansen was invited to participatebecause of his extensive experience working with NGOs at a village level in the Solomon Islands.

• Consultancy to Misima Mines Limited, Misima Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, November2000. Mr Jansen was contracted by Misima Mines Ltd to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing aprogram focusing on strengthening food security in the area around the mine site.

• Member of Australian Council For Overseas Aid (ACFOA) Mission to Solomon Islands, August 2000.This ACFOA Mission assessed the impact of ethnic unrest in the Solomon Islands, and recommended potentialroles for Australian NGO’s in reconstruction and rehabilitation. Mr Jansen was responsible for preliminarymission planning and coordinating from the Solomon Islands. During the mission he was responsible forassessing Choiseul, Renal and Bellona, and Mackeera-Ulawa Provinces. This involved consultation withNGOs, Provincial government, Churches and women and youth in each province on the causes and effects ofthe ethnic tensions, and the role of NGOs in re-conciliation and rehabilitation.

1995 - July 1998, Project Manager: Integrated Kastom Agriculture Resources for Solomon Islands, APACEMr Jansen had overall responsibility for the APACE AusAID funded pilot project focusing on strengtheningsustainable agriculture at the village level in the Solomon Islands. This project included the development of pilotsustainable agriculture training modules and methodologies. He was responsible for facilitating project activities,training staff and general capacity building activities, project monitoring and evaluation, project networking andfinancial administration. Mr Jansen had been responsible for initiating and designing the project. The project wassuccessful and led into the APACE Kastom Garden Program.1993 - 1994 (part time basis in Sydney Head Office with six months in the field), Project Officer: LalanoHigh Altitude Farming Project, North Malaita, Solomon Islands, APACEMr Jansen was involved in the community training of this APACE project in North Malaita. He was responsible forfacilitating training in sustainable agricultural techniques.1992 - 1993, Field Officer, Madre Selva Instituto de Permacultura, San Lorenzo, Ecuador, South America.Centro de Investigacion de los Bosques Tropicales (CIBT), Volunteer Work.Mr Jansen assisted with the establishment of sustainable agriculture training centre in a remote Afro-Americancommunity on the north coast of Ecuador on the Colombian border.1990, English Teacher: SOS Tibetan Children’s Village (Tibetan Refugee Settlement), Choglamsar, Leh,Ladakh, North India

TRAINING• International Course in Food Security – Lessons from the Field, International Institute for Rural

Reconstruction (IIRR), Philipines. Course hosted in Thailand by Rural Reconstruction Alumni and FriendsAssociation (RRAFA), Bangkok, Thailand, 1999

• Study tour of sustainable agriculture projects in Medak District, Andrha Pradesh, South India. AranyaAgricultural Alternatives and Permaculture Association of India, 2000

• Training of Trainers in Community Ethnobotany. People and Plants Initiative (WWF, Kew BotanicGardens and UNESCO), Komuniboli Training Centre, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 2001

EDUCATION• Diploma of Permaculture (Community Development and Site Design), Permaculture Institute, Tyalgum,

NSW, Australia. 1991-1993• Anthropology and Resource Management, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. 1989 and 1991 (50%

Bachelor of Arts completed)• NSW Higher School Certificate, Kuringai High School, NSW, Australia

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP• Member of Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) Misima Mines closure committee. NGO

working group involved with transition process of local communities effected by the closure of a largegold mine on Misima Island, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea, 2001

• Occasional Member of the Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) Pacific Committee.• Board Member, Development Services Exchange (DSE) – National Umbrella Body of NGOs in Solomon

Island, 1998 – 1999.• Board Member, Appropriate Technology for Community and Environment (APACE), 1993 – 1994.• Australia Tibet Council: Assisting with stalls and awareness activities on human rights violations and self

determination in Tibet, 1991 – 1993.

PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCES‘Petanigaki ta Siniqa ni Lauru (Food of the Forest of Lauru)’ – co-edited with Myknee Sirikolo. Ethnobotanicalmanual on forest food plants of Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands. (350 pages, in press) 2001

‘Sapa, The Natural Way of Growing Food for the Solomon Islands’, co-authored with Joini Tutua (128pgs).

Organic farming handbook for rural farmers. 1995

Preliminary findings of participatory research into on farm conservation of Taro (colocasia esculenta) in SolomonIslands. Taro Genetic Resource Conservation Project Workshop to plan a complementary strategy for taroconservation in the South Pacific. South Pacific Commission. Suva, Fiji. September 2001.

Participant in workshop to plan a network for Agricultural Plant Genetic Resource Conservation in the Pacific,International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI), Suva, Fiji, September 2001.

Strategies for the Intensification of Shifting Cultivation in South East Asia: a workshop to produce a handbook.International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Manilla, 2000. Three case studies from Solomon Islands authoredby Tony Jansen and presented and adapted at the workshop by Roselyn Kabu Maemouri

Food and Nutrition in Papua New Guinea Conference. Presentation of three papers jointly written with SolomonIsland co authors on case studies of improving food security at the community level in Solomon Islands.

REFEREES:

Jude Fanton,DirectorSeed Savers Network,PO Box 975, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

Hon. Joini TutuaProvincial Member, Choiseul Provincial Assembly,Zai na Tina Organic farmPO Box 984, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Dr. Andrew MearsFaculty of EngineeringUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS)PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007

Fiona Campbell,Director,Pacific Edge MediaPO Box 446, Kogarah, NSW

Pacific PestNet (moderator)

NAME: Wilco LIEBREGTS

DATE OF BIRTH: 12 May 1959

NATIONALITY: The Netherlands

LANGUAGES: Dutch: mother tongueEnglish, German: fluentFrench: good working knowledgeSamoan: Some working knowledgeTongan: Basic understanding

QUALIFICATIONS

1981 - 1984 M.Sc. - Crop Protection at the Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.Themes of dissertations:

• Entomology: Blown-over coconut palms by hurricane Isaac: their influence on the population of the rhinocerosbeetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (1983)

• Virology: Control of the summer fruit tortrix moth, Adoxophyes orana with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus

(1982)• Phytopathology: Development and colonisation of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in heat treated soil

(1982)• Practical work at Koronivia Research Station, Nausori, Fiji: Control and damage of the rhinoceros beetle

Oryctes rhinoceros, in Fiji and Tonga (1981)1977 – 1981 B.Ag.Sc. at the Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

COUNTRIES OF WORK EXPERIENCE

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands,Niue, American Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern MarianaIslands, Australia, Netherlands, Germany.

EMPLOYMENT RECORD

1997 to present: Eco-Consult Pacific Co. Ltd., Suva, Fiji1987 - 97: Division of Entomology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Organisation (CSIRO), Brisbane, Australia.1987: Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries (DAFF), Western Samoa.1984 - 87: Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Eschborn, Germany.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1997 - CURRENT: Fiji/Pacific Region: Managing Director of ECO-CONSULT PACIFIC, an independent consultingcompany providing support to national, regional and international authorities and organisations involved in regional,national and grassroots development in issues concerning development in the areas of sustainable natural resourcemanagement, environment, economics, industry and trade development. Responsibilities include: Implementation ofconsultancies, and overall management of the company, including identification and design of project proposals andsubmissions, development and maintenance of contacts with donor/funding and implementing organisations andconsultants, management, coordination, and evaluation of projects.

1996 – 97: South Pacific Region: Regional survey involving 18 countries, on the distribution of the silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia tabaci biotype B, and other pest whiteflies in the region, their hostplants and natural enemies, and evaluation ofIPM strategies applied. Training of local staff in pest identification and ecology, control and collection techniques andidentification of other whitefly pest species and natural enemies.

Survey on the distribution of selected exotic weeds of current and potential concern to agriculture, forestry and theenvironment involving 18 Pacific Island Countries.

1996 – 97: Fiji, Cook Islands and Federated States of Micronesia: Introduction of parasitoids and establishment ofmass rearing for biological control of the fruit piercing moth Othreis fullonia. Training of local staff in parasitoid andhost rearing, release techniques; establish monitoring mechanisms for establishment and effectiveness of beneficials.

1991 – 97: Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa. Coordinator for sub-regional project on biological control of fruitpiercing moth, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Responsibilitiesincluded:

• Coordination and evaluation of research with national research staff in participating countries,• Development and implementation of IPM programs on fruit piercing moth (with emphasis on biological

control), including ecology, life table studies and analysis of pest and natural enemies, experimental design,economic damage assessments, evaluation of parasitoids and data analysis,

• Selection, importation and rearing of exotic parasitoids in quarantine and subsequent release,• Survey on pest status and natural enemies of coffee pests in Tonga,• Training of national staff in aspects of IPM and biological control of insect pests,• Dissemination of research findings through seminars/workshops for extension staff and farmers,• Budget development and financial management,• Organisation of the International Workshop on Fruit Piercing Moths, held in Brisbane, Australia, 16-21

January 1995,• Advisor to CSIRO/MAF project in Tonga on research on IPM of the banana aphid, Pentalonia

nigronervosa, a vector of the banana bunchy top virus, with the parasitoid Aphidius colemani,

1987 - 91: Western Samoa. CSIRO/ACIAR/DAFF Biological Control Project. Project targeted on establishing an IPMprogram for control of fruit piercing moth, and white peach scale Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, a destructive pest ofpassion fruit. Research included surveys of natural enemies of the pests, development of life tables for pests and naturalenemies, experimental design, economic loss assessment, and identification, selection, importation, host testing, massrearing, field release and impact monitoring of natural enemies. Entomologist in charge of research program with 2staff. Tonga and Fiji participated in the project from 1990 onwards.

1984 – 87: Western Samoa, Apia. Samoan-German Crop Protection Project. Development of a national cropprotection service. Entomologist in charge of Entomology Section with 3-7 staff. Duties included:

• Evaluation of pesticides for use in IPM in vegetables and root crops,• Supervision and evaluation of IPM programs on coconut pests (Oryctes rhinoceros, Brontispa longissima),• Introduction, rearing, release, and evaluation of efficiency of parasitoids in an IPM program for control of

white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona on passion fruit,• Research on pest status and assessment of economic losses caused by the fruit piercing moth, Othreis

fullonia in citrus,• Damage assessment and development of control strategies of Rose beetle, Adoretus versutus, and other

coleopterous pests in cocoa plantations• Studies on damage caused by and management of Heteropsylla cubana, an introduced pest of Leucaena• Implementation of pest surveys in crops such as cabbage, tomato, capsicum, bele, cucumber, coffee, banana,

taro, coconut, citrus, pepper, passion fruit, and other root crops and tree fruits.• Training of local counterparts in all fields of crop protection and dissemination of research outputs through

leaflets, seminars and workshops for agricultural extension staff and farmers.

CONSULTANCIES

February – August 2001. Niue. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji. Technical assistance to NiueDAFF to develop and implement an eradication campaign against major invasive weeds, such as Wedelia trilobata,Mimosa invisa, and Antigonon leptopus.April-May 2000. Kosrae State, Federated States of Micronesia. Team Leader in a project to develop a researchplan to increase vegetable production for the State of Kosrae, with focus on crops diversification and increasedproduction for domestic consumption, import substitution and export.Oct-Nov 2000. Niue. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji. Entomologist participating in the PestSurvey of agricultural crops for updating of pest lists.Aug. 99 – Oct. 2001. Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji.Coordination and management of Plant Protection Program, funded by New Zealand Official DevelopmentAssistance and AusAID.December 2000 – October 2001. Federated States of Micronesia. College of Micronesia. Development of IPM tocontrol leaf footed bug, Leptoglossus australis.November 2000. Pacific regional. FAO. Development of a proposal to strengthen Pacific PestNet, an email forumfor regional plant protection and biosecurity issues.October 2000. Niue. SPC. Pest survey of export crops, to update national pest lists.July 2000 – June 2001. Fiji. SPREP. Ecological study of large endemic wood boring insects (Cerambycids), anddevelopment of a conservation strategy.April – July 2000. Pacific Island Countries. FAO. Establishment and management of Pacific SoilNet, an emailforum for Pacific Island specialists working in integrated management of natural resources, including soilconservation, water management and plant nutrition.March 2000. Palau. SPC. Lead trainer for IPM Workshop for agricultural extension staff, farmers and NGOs.February – October 2000. Samoa. FAO. Consultancy in 3 phases on development of IPM of fruit piercing moth,including pest ecology (outbreak forecasting), biological control and pest exclusion methods.January 2000. Niue. SPC. Development of a sustainable, long term pest control strategy.Sept–Oct 99: Federated States of Micronesia, College of Micronesia. Lead trainer for 4 Workshops aimed at theadoption and promotion of Integrated Pest Management practices in the 4 states of FSM.Aug-Oct 99: New York, USA. Special Unit for Technical Co-operation among Developing Countries (SU/TCDC).(Aug. – Oct. 1999) Preparation of a discussion paper ‘Strengthening South-South Co-operation in EnvironmentalStrategies for Sustainable Development’ and participate in a workshop at UNDP, New York, to identify potentialopportunities for SU/TCDC to encourage South-South co-operation to promote sustainable development indeveloping countries.Dec 98–Jan 99: New York, USA. Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries(SU/TCDC), UNDP. Appraisal of 150 proposals submitted by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) from thePacific and Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, for funding under the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA).Tasks included proposal appraisal against BPOA criteria for sustainable development; provide suggestions to SIDS

authorities for their modification to enhance likely support from donors; and develop summaries of individualproposals.Dec 98–Feb 99: Fiji. Forum Secretariat. Identification of Donor Assistance to the Pacific Region. A 4-week studyto research and document donors’ assistance to regional and international development projects for the Pacificregion since 1996. Scope of the study included land resources, health, marine/fisheries and human resourcedevelopment.November 1998: Fiji. Coordinator and senior editor responsible for producing a camera-ready book ‘Setting Up aTree Nursery – A Guide for Extension Workers and Communities’ for the GTZ/SPC Regional Forestry Project.This involved editing, coordination of research and arrangements for graphics and lay-out.November 1998: Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia: Preparation of extension information leaflets onIntegrated Pest Management of 10 important pests and diseases in FSM.September 1998: Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Lead Trainer for a SPC/College of Micronesiaworkshop on Integrated Pest Management for staff of federal and state departments of agriculture in FSM, MarshallIslands, and Palau.1998, ongoing: Fiji. Special Adviser (Honorary) to ‘The National Trust for Fiji’, a government statutoryorganisation established to protect Fiji’s natural and cultural heritage. Responsibilities include: technical support tomatters relating to biodiversity conservation research and management; project identification and design, proposaldevelopment and donor identification and negotiations.March-May 98: Fiji. Resource person for 2 Technical Groups (Botanical Biodiversity; Terrestrial Vertebrate andInvertebrate Biodiversity), for the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for theDepartment of Environment. Preparation of reports on invasive weeds, impact of biocontrol agents on biodiversity,and a provisional bibliography of Fiji’s insect fauna. Co-editor of TG 3 Report.August 1997: Fiji. Resource person for workshop to produce an agroforestry kit for research staff and extensionworkers in the South Pacific. Funded and implemented by European Union.June 1997: Tuvalu. Survey on impact and identity of breadfruit mealybug (Icerya aegyptiaca) and its naturalenemies in Tuvalu. CSIRO, funded by ACIAR.May 1993: American Samoa. Establishment of a biological control program of fruit piercing moth, (Othreisfullonia). Land Grant Program, funded by ADAP (US Agricultural Development in the American Pacific).June 1991: American Samoa. Feasibility study on a biological control program of fruit piercing moth (Othreisfullonia). CSIRO, funded by ACIAR.

Pacific PestNet moderator

NAME: Grahame Vyvian Hamshaw JACKSON

ADDRESS: 24 Alt Street, Queens Park, NSW 2022, AustraliaPhone: (612) 9387 8030; Fax: (612) 9387 8004e-mail: gjackson@zip.com.au

NATIONALITY: UK and Australian citizen

QUALIFICATIONS: 1967 B.A. Biology & GeologyUniversity of North Staffordshire (Keele)

1968 M.Sc. Plant PathologyUniversity of London

1968 Diploma of Imperial College, London

1971 Ph.D. Plant PathologyUniversity of London

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

British Society for Plant PathologyAustralasian Plant Pathology Society

LANGUAGES: English (mother tongue); French (read); Pidgin (adequate)

SUMMARY

Tropical agriculture specialist with more than 30 years' experience in the implementation of developmentassistance, especially in Pacific islands and Asia. Areas of expertise include crop protection of food and plantationcrops, quarantine, exchange of germplasm, root crops agronomy and tissue culture, training, project formulationand evaluation. Previously employed by ODA UK, FAO and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and byADB, ACIAR, AusAID, EU, SDC, UNDP, USAID and World Bank on short-term contracts. Published more than70 papers in refereed journals, books and conference proceedings. Volunteer founder and moderator of PacificPestnet an e-mail list server providing advice and information on plant protection and root crops.

EMPLOYMENT RECORD:

AusAID/ACIL. 18-30 May 2002. Fiji. Resource person at regional in situ conservation meeting. Continuation ofregional taro virus survey of Pacific Island countries with Queensland University of Technology to facilitate theinternational movement of taro germplasm.AusAID/ACIL. 15-22 April. Vanuatu. Taro virus survey of Pacific Island countries with Queensland Universityof Technology to facilitate the international movement of taro germplasm.EU/INCO-DC. 8-14 April 2002. Vanuatu. 4th annual meeting of the South Pacific Yam Network involvingMelanesian countries in the collecting and characterisation of yams with commercial potential. Wrote annualreport, and with partners produced plans for 2002, re-orientating project in-line with political events and scientificresults.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 4-27 February 2002. Sikkim, Indiaand Nepal. Final visit to evaluate ginger disease programme: healthy seed production; adaptive and basic researchprogrammes; and development of a regional hill (collaborative) network between India and Nepal to shareexperiences in R&D, 1995-2002.AusAID/ACIL 4–23 January 2002. Solomon Islands. Description of taro colelctioins in three locations anddevelopment of a core for conservation at the Regional Germplasm Centre, Fiji.AusAID/ACIL 4–11 November 2001. Samoa. 6-monthly review of the Taro Genetic Resources Committee, andresource person at a Taro Breeders/Plant Protection Workshop.AusAID/ACIL 2–8 September 2001. Fiji. Resource person at TaroGen meeting to select a core sample of tarofrom Pacific Island countries for conservation in the Regional Conservation Centre, and the development of acomplementary conservation strategy for the region.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 11–30 August 2001. Sikkim, India.Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: Mid-season review of progress, in particular efforts towork with farmers (through Panchayats and NGOs) testing technologies for ginger disease control, developing aState research committee involving local government agencies and national institutes, and the formation of aregional network of organisations involved in ginger research and development.AusAID/ACIL 20–28 June 2001. Solomon Islands. Initiated recollection of taro with NGO, Government andcommunity participation, and began a project on on-farm conservation with the same partners, collectinginformation on farmers' cultural practices and perceptions for input into the formulation of a sub-regional projectfor donor funding.AusAID/ACIL 21 May–25 May 2001. Vanuatu. With Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, theFarm Support Association (NGO) and CIRAD developed terms of reference and plans for an in situ (on-farm) taroconservation study as part of a sub-regional project for Melanesia.AusAID/ACIL 30 April–5 May 2001. Fiji. 6-monthly review of Taro Genetic Resources Committee (and toattend PHALPS).AusAID/ACIL. 13–17 January 2001. Solomon Islands. To determine the state of national taro collection in lightof ethnic tension and ways of re-starting the TaroGen work program.EU/INCO-DC. 17-28 January 2001. Vanuatu. 3rd annual meeting of the South Pacific Yam Network involvingMelanesian countries in the collecting and characterisation of yams with commercial potential. Wrote annualreport, and with partners produced plans for 2001, re-orientating project in-line with political events and scientificresults.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 31 January–24 February 2001.Sikkim, India. Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: Review of 2000 season, developmentof annual plan, including farmer experimentation pilot schemes involving Panchayats and NGOs.AusAID/ACIL 21–22 November 2000. Fiji. Annual review of Taro Genetic Resources Committee to discuss mid-term review and work plan for 2001.FAO. 16–19 November 2000. Fiji. Developing a project proposal to improve Pacific PestNet, a not-for-profit web-based e-mail service to provide advice and information on plant protection to Pacific Island countries.

European Union/Agrisystems. 17 September–17 November 2000. Pacific regional. Ex-post Evaluation of thePacific Regional Agricultural Programme. Assessed the impact and lessons to learn from a Euro17 million researchand development program (implemented as 13 projects in two phases from 1989 to 1999) in eight Pacific ACPcountries (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu), and assessment ofinterventions for the Pacific Regional Indicative Programme under the 8th EDT.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 16 July-5 August 2000. Sikkim,India. Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: Mid-season review of progress followingrestructure of research and extension services providing assistance to small holder ginger growers in 1999.AusAID/ACIL. 6-20 May 2000. Solomon Islands. Morphological descriptor studies and disease control of tarogenebank to ensure core collection for national and regional conservation.AusAID/ACIL. 10-20 April 2000. Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Visit taro collections in SolomonIslands and advise on serious disease outbreak. Attend 6-monthly Taro Genetic Resources Committee meeting inPapua New Guinea.ACIAR. 14-15 February 2000. Sydney. Detailed evaluation of proposed plant protection project for an Asiancountry.GOPA. 16-18 February 2000. Sydney. Preparation of tender documents for in-depth evaluation of plantprotection service for Pacific Island countries.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 16 January-11 February 2000.Sikkim, India. Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: Restructure of program to emphasiseimportance of district extension personnel in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the ginger pestmanagement program, and farmers' participation in trials.AusAID/ACIL. 18-31 October 1999. Fiji and Samoa. Survey taro viruses in both countries (with ACIARscientists); attend 6-monthly Taro Genetic Resources Committee meeting in Fiji with heads of agriculture of PacificIsland countries, and review taro breeding program in Samoa for Taro Genetic Resources: Conservation andUtilisation project.AusAID/ACIL. 31 July-14 August 1999. Vanuatu and Fiji. Field work in both countries with IPGRI In situConservation Expert, and development of project proposal for donor submissionACIAR. 21-24 June 1999. Papua New Guinea. Evaluation: Economics of preserving genetic diversity in PNG inthe context of world agriculture. Attended a 4-day review of the project and reported on its progress against itsobjectives and made recommendations for future directions.AusAID/ACIL. 22-30 May 1999. Solomon Islands. Development of root crop collecting strategies for TaroGenetic Resources: Conservation and Utilisation.AusAID/ACIL. 23 March-1 April 1999. Papua New Guinea. Monitoring Taro Genetic Resources: Conservationand Utilisation project, and attendance at ACIAR workshop: Regional cooperation in conservation andmanagement of plant genetic resources in the Pacific region.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 4-26 April 1999. Sikkim, India.Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: lay out of research trials at agriculture stations and onfarmers’ land for the control of ginger diseases, and monitoring of progress in other technical and institutionbuilding aspects of the 1999 program, as well as extending the work to West Bengal.EU/INCO-DC. 23-26 February 1999. Vanuatu. Inaugural meeting of the South Pacific Yam Network involvingMelanesian countries in the collecting and characterisation of yams with commercial potential. Developed projectwith CIRAD and Pacific Island countries and now backstopping technical consultant to this 4-year research anddevelopment program.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 12 November-29 December 1998.Sikkim, India. Review of Department of Horticulture, ginger development program, analysis of research trials,development of strategic pan for Phase II and detailed workplan for 1999.AusAID/ACIL. July 1998-June 2001. Sydney and Pacific regional. Technical Director Taro Genetic Resources:Conservation and Utilisation project to strengthen national capacities of Pacific Island countries to collect, assess,improve and conserve taro genetic resources.AusAID/IDSS. July 1998. Sydney. Preparation of MOUs for the implementation of the AusAID-funded taroproject for Pacific Island countries.ACIAR. 19-22. May 1998. Sydney. Review of project document on virus and DNA fingerprinting of taro, andediting and negotiations with implementing organisations to ensure complementarity to an AusAID-fundedprogram on the same crop.Swiss Organization for Development and Cooperation/Intercooperation. 13–29 March 1998. Sikkim, India.Continuation of assistance to the Department of Horticulture: lay out of research trials at agriculture stations and onfarmers’ land for the control of ginger diseases, and to monitor progress in other technical and institution buildingaspects of the 1998 program, as well as extending the work to West Bengal.IFC/High Value Horticulture. 9-13 February 1998. Sydney. Peer review: establishment of a tissue culture facility

for the large-scale production of planting materials of plantain, banana, yams, cassava and pineapples in Ghana.Swiss Organisation for Development and Cooperation/High Value Horticulture. 21 November-14 December1997. Sikkim, India. Fourth visit on ginger improvement program: assistance to the Government of Sikkim oninstitutional and organisational re-adjustments to entire ginger disease control program for small holder farmers.European Union/Pacific Regional Agricultural Programme. 16 September–12 October 1997. Pacific regional.Peer review of a regional tissue culture development project in six Pacific ACP countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea,Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga). Project evaluation, and formulation of program for next phase.AusAID/International Development Support Services Pty Ltd. 31 August–13 September 1997. Samoa. Providedtechnical assistance to the Western Samoa Farming Systems Project on the evaluation of taro seedlings for taro leafblight resistance, and to determine future needs to allow Samoa to take advantage of a regional taro improvementprogram in 1998.AusAID. 21 May–20 Jun 1997. Sydney. Preparation of a project design document: Taro Genetic Resources:Conservation and Utilisation for an open tendering process.International Plant Genetic Resources Institute. October 1996–May 1997. Pacific Islands/Sydney. Discusswith Pacific Island governments the concept of a regional approach to taro improvement, develop a proposal (TaroGenetic Resources: Conservation and Utilisation) and assist in discussions for donor finance.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. August 1996–May 1997. Sydney. Authors contract:to provide descriptions of plant diseases in format for Pacific Plant Protection Information System and forFAO/SPC web site.Swiss Organisation for Development and Cooperation/High Value Horticulture. 19 November–7 December1996. Sikkim, India. Third visit to harvest trials, to review progress and to assist the Government of Sikkim in thedevelopment of an action plan for ginger disease control covering research, extension and training for 1996/97.AusAID/International Development Support Services Pty., Ltd. 22 June–6 July 1996. Western Samoa. Firstof two visits to assist the Western Samoa Farming Systems Project to evaluate control measures for the control oftaro leaf blight, and develop a strategic plan to breed improved resistance top the disease.South Pacific Commission. April–December 1996/1997. Sydney. Editing backlog of SPC plant protectionpublications, and reviewing and revising plant protection and quarantine information leaflets.World Bank/Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International. 1 April–18 May 1996. Hanoi, Vietnam.Reviewed quarantine procedures, staff capabilities, quarantine facilities and equipment needs and developedstrategies to improve plant disease diagnostic capabilities within the Plant Quarantine Division. Provided training inbacteriology and virology for plant quarantine personnel.Swiss Organisation for Development and Cooperation/High Value Horticulture. 18 February–4 March 1996.Sikkim, India. Continuation of work to assist Government of Sikkim in its attempts to rehabilitate the gingerindustry of the State by reducing the impact of diseases. Assisted the government constituted Ginger Disease TaskForce to develop a work plan for the coming growing season and to begin its implementation by testing diseasecontrol strategies on government farms and in farmers' fields.Swiss Organisation for Development and Cooperation/High Value Horticulture. 1 August–31 October 1995.Sikkim, India. Two-stage process to provide solutions to ginger diseases: a review of ginger diseases worldwideand a synthesis paper on resent research and extension policies in Sikkim to solve them, followed by a visit tocheck on the cause of the diseases in the State and to assist in the formulation of strategic and action plans based onthe results of discussions at workshops/meetings and field surveys.ACIAR. 20–26 June 1995 Papua New Guinea. Represented ACIAR at an international seminar convened by theSouth Pacific Commission and the International Institute of Plant Genetic Resources in response to recentoutbreaks of taro leaf blight in South Pacific countries. Read paper on the concept of a Asia/Pacific taro and yaminternational network to improve conservation of genetic resources and their use in plant improvement programs.ACIAR/South Pacific Commission. 1 April 1995–30 September 1996. Translation of Pathologies des VegetauxCultives - a plant disease manual for the French territories of the Pacific: editing and making the manual relevant tothe English-speaking countries.HORT-RESEARCH New Zealand. 20 February–14 March 1995. Technical assessment of the use of modernbiotechnologies for the rapid multiplication of yam and taro in Tonga: comparisons of micropropagation usingtissue culture with methods based on conventional techniques.ACIAR. 23–24 November 1994. Indonesia. Attended 2nd Taro Symposium University of Cenderawasih,Manokwari, Irian Jaya and presented concept strategies for closer collaboration in Asia and the Pacific forimproved taro and yam conservation and use.ACIAR. 18–21 October 1994. Adelaide. Evaluation: Nucleotide sequence determination of cadang-cadang-likeviroids in the Pacific area. Attended a 4-day review of the project and reported on its progress against its objectivesand made recommendations for future directions.ACIAR/IPGRI. 18 July–30 September 1994. Canberra. Concept Paper: Taro and yam genetic resources in thePacific and Asia. Formulated strategies for the conservation of taro and yam genetic resources in the region for

future use, as well as their application to solve present production problems, including that of taro leaf blight.ANUTECH Pty Ltd. March–September 1994. Canberra. Senior Consultant: Environment and ForestryDivision. Responsibilities included preparation of capability statements and consultancy submissions in response todonor proposals, training, and consultancies in fields of expertise.ACIAR. 22–28 November 1993. Western Samoa. Resource person: SPC regional seminar on taro leaf blight.Presented papers and made detailed recommendations to control the further spread of taro leaf blight in PacificIsland countries through the implementation of contingency plans, the safe introduction of germplasm from outsidethe region, and the strengthening of national taro breeding programs.ACIAR. 14–20 November 1993. Tonga. Evaluation: Kava dieback in the South Pacific. Conducted an in-depthevaluation of the project, and argued the case for an 9-month extension to ensure completion of the research and forparticipating countries to have sufficient time to organise collaboration to ensure continuation of the work and itseventual implementation by growers.AIDAB. 4 November 1993. Canberra. Technical Advisory Panel: Niue limes rehabilitation. Assisted with thechoice of consultants to undertake project implementation.AIDAB. 22 September–15 October 1993. Western Samoa. A study of taro leaf blight in Western Samoa.Provided a detailed assessment on the severity of the outbreak, and made recommendations on its control in theshort and long term.USAID/High Value Horticulture. 30 August–1 September 1993. Canberra. Control strategies for a leaf sheathblight of cardamom in Uganda. Carried out a literature search on a disease newly recorded on the crop, andsuggested control strategies appropriate to the method of cultivation used in Uganda.FAO/IBPGR. 1–15 June 1993. Fiji. Edited Descriptors for yams. Revised of the description list for the ediblespecies of yams in order that curators of collections might more easily use them.AIDAB/SPC. 21 March–3 April 1993. Vanuatu. Survey of pasture diseases in Vanuatu. Carried out an intensivesurvey of fungal and viral pathogens on imported and native pasture species. Arranged for identifications andassessed results against the worldwide distribution of pathogens and those recorded in the countries of seedimportation. Made recommendations to strengthen quarantine regulations to prevent disease introductions on seeds.USAID/High Value Horticulture. 24 February–13 March 1993. Uganda. Pests and diseases of vanilla inUganda. Carried out surveys for fungal and virus diseases. Made recommendations for the establishment of acommunity-controlled plan to prevent the indiscriminate movement of vanilla cuttings based on growers' plantingsfree from serious disease. Lectured to extension service on the diseases of vanilla and their control.South Pacific Commission. 24–28 September 1992. Fiji. Checked and edited computer entries of a plantpathology database for Pacific Island countries.SPC/FAO. 24–28 August 1992. Fiji. Plant protection information systems for decision making in plant protectionand pest risk analysis. Resource person at a regional workshop for quarantine officers to develop a method for pestrisk analysis appropriate for use by Pacific Island countries. Also, lectured to quarantine officers on the need for themovement of root crop germplasm as pathogen-tested tissue cultures in relation to the distribution of major diseasesin Pacific Islands countries and elsewhere.South Pacific Commission. 6–17 June 1992. Fiji. Edited Plant Pathology in the 1990s. Proceedings of theSeminar held in September 1991.UNDP. 25 May–5 June 1992. Pacific regional. Development of a Project Formulation Framework for a Pacificregional agriculture development program under the 5th ICP 1992-96. A pre-feasibility document produceddescribing a 3-year US$2 m project to strengthen agriculture sector planning capabilities of Pacific Islandcountries.South Pacific Commission. 3–23 May 1992. Fiji. Resource person at a regional workshop to review: PlantProtection in the Pacific Islands: A Trainer's Guide. An intensive training exercise, taking agriculture trainers from10 Pacific Island countries through the components of the manual.Government of Vanuatu. 8–11 April 1992. Investigations into a coffee dieback disease. Advised on a suspecteddisease outbreak affecting coffee on the island of Tanna following damage by two cyclones.EU/Pacific Regional Agriculture Programme. 23–28 March 1992. Western Samoa. Resource person atregional training workshop on plant tissue culture. Lectured and participated in practical sessions to providequarantine officers from Pacific Island countries with basic understanding of tissue culture, including the methodsused to index plants for the presence of virus and other pathogens, and their relevance to international movement ofgermplasm.South Pacific Commission. 24–28 February 1992. Fiji. Plant health consultant to the Regional TechnicalMeeting on Plant Protection. Presented papers on the threat of taro leaf blight and the need for donor support tonational breeding programs; a situation report on coconut viroids of Pacific Islands and other countries; andsubmitted a report on the FAO/IBPGR guidelines for the international movement of coconut germplasm. Acted asrapporteur to the meeting.UNDP. 1–7 February 1992. Pacific regional. Development of an Overall Programme Outline for agriculture

assistance to Pacific island countries under the 5th ICP 1992–96. Presented strategies for the use of regional IPFfunds to assist agricultural development by strengthening national planning and statistics capabilities. Proposed theformation of a Pacific Agricultural Development Programme linking countries with regional intergovernmentalorganisations, and universities in order to better identify needs and allocate resources.South Pacific Commission. 1–12 December 1991. Western Samoa. Coconut tissue culture/diseaseinvestigations. Demonstrated methods of coconut tissue culture and established in vitro germination trials todetermine whether low germination in hybrid (Malayan Dwarf x Rennell) coconuts is genetic or caused by disease.Asian Development Bank. 18–31 July 1988. Vanuatu. Agricultural Support Services. In-depth review of plantand animal health services and quarantine capabilities and provided recommendations for expansion of nationalcapabilities, including improved disease and pest monitoring, staff training, facilities and equipment.South Pacific Commission November. 1987–September 1991. Fiji. Plant Health Officer, UNDP/SPCRegional Project RAS/86/037 Crop Protection in the South Pacific, Fiji. Advised 22 Pacific Island countries onthe identification and control of pests and diseases of crops of economic importance. Strengthened quarantinecapabilities through improved legislation, equipment and training. Developed quarantine guidelines. Assisted thedevelopment of national tissue culture facilities and the provision of pathogen-indexed root crops and othervegetatively propagated plants. Trained national staff in seminars, workshops and at the workplace. Formulatednational and regional projects for donor submission.South Pacific Commission/UNDP. April–July 1987. Fiji. Plant Health Consultant: Crop Protection in the SouthPacific, RAS/86/037. Provided technical advice to SPC Plant Protection Service assisting the transfer of executionof regional functions from UNDP/FAO to SPC.IBPGR Secretariat. 14–15 March 1983. Washington, USA. Review of practical constraints affecting thecollection and exchange of wild species and primitive cultivars. Recommended ways of improving the collectionand processing of samples in order to reduce the pest risks associated with the international movement of plantgenetic resources.FAO. September 1983–March 1987. Fiji. Crop Improvement Officer, UNDP/FAO–SPC Regional ProjectRAS/83/001 Strengthening Plant Protection and Root Crops Development in the South Pacific. Advised 12Pacific island countries on increasing root crop production through the collection and evaluation of germplasm,breeding, improved quarantine practices, pest identification and control. Established first tissue culture facility inthe Pacific islands, and developed technologies to ensure safe movement of plants into the region and betweencountries. Trained Pacific Island nationals in pest recognition and control, quarantine and root crops agronomy.South Pacific Commission. 14–21 December 1982. Republic of Palau. Taro root and corm rot in the Republic ofPalau. Investigated the cause of a severe corm rot problem of taro grown in swamp pits and maderecommendations for its control. Provided advise on other root crop pests and diseases.UNDP/FAO. 22–30 August 1982. Vanuatu. Pests of root crops in Vanuatu. UNDP/FAO: RAS/74/017, RegionalRoot Crops Development Project. Made surveys throughout Vanuatu for pests and diseases of root crops,especially those caused by fungi, nematodes and viruses.South Pacific Commission. 16–21 August 1981. French Polynesia. Investigations into a new strain of dasheenmosaic virus affecting taro. Carried out surveys and recommended control measures.UNDP/FAO. November 1980 and September 1982. Western Samoa. Tripartite Reviews: RAS/74/017, RegionalRoot Crop Development Project. Resource person to assist UNDP and the Pacific island countries to identify majorconstraints to root crop development in the region and priorities for assistance.South Pacific Commission. 20 September to 6 October 1979. Western Samoa. Survey and control of taro virusdiseases. Identified virus diseases of taro and suggested ways to investigate effects on yield. Identified the possiblecause of low germination of coconuts from the hybrid seedgarden and recommended control measures.ODA, UK. April 1972–November 1983. Principal Research Officer. Solomon Islands. Established country'sfirst plant pathology division; carried out research on cocoa, coconuts, oil palm, bananas, rice, spices, root crops,and commercial forestry species. Conducted surveys, assisted with pesticide registration, quarantine controls andtrained staff.

AWARDS 1974–75 Commonwealth Foundation: tissue culture research on the edible aroids at the University of California (Irvine)

1985 Donald L. Plucknett Research Achievement Award: International Societyof Tropical Root Crops

COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office for Mac and PC computers,Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Pagemaker.

PestNet annual report 2001

Annual Board Meeting 23/24 January 2002: On-line

Introduction

The PestNet Annual Board Meeting was held on 23/24 January 20025. Board members taking part: Mat Purea, BobMacfarlane, Grahame Jackson (Chair), Wilco Liebregts (Secretary).

Apologies for absence were received from Taholo Kami and Wa Sing.

Proposed agenda and indicative times (Samoa//New Zealand)

08.00 – 09.00 Roll Call – confirmation of participation/attendance.09.00 – 09.30 Confirmation of minutes of PestNet AGM, November 2000.09.30 – 12.00 Expansion of PestNet into SE Asia: AFFA/APEC initiative.12.00 – 14.00 SPC 1) PestNet: Solomon Islands project; 2) other SPC support.14.00 – 15.00 FAO – PestNet TCP proposal.15.00 – 17.00 SPREP/PACINET/PestNet.17.00 – 17.15 Board members and membership details.17.15 – 17.30 Any other business.

Nominations for Chairperson

Grahame Jackson, Chair of PestNet acted as leader of the on-line meeting.

Item 1: Acceptance of minutes of last Annual Meeting

The Minute of the last Annual Meeting, held on 24 November 2000, Nadi. Fiji, were accepted without amendment.

Item 2: Expansion of PestNet into South East Asia: AFFA/APEC initiativeThe Chair outlined the discussions between PestNet and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,Australia to expand PestNet into South East Asia. The request follows a meeting of the AusAID-sponsored APECATCWG Workshop to Contain Transborder Movement of Plant Pests: Diagnostics (July 2001) to assist regionalquarantine and plant health agencies access specialist advice on plant protection and biosecurity issues. Therecommendation was to expand PestNet to improve the ability of quarantine services in regional economies toaccurately describe the health status of their agricultural industries − improved capacity in this area is offundamental importance to all economies that seek to trade in agricultural commodities. Developing economies inparticular face problems in exporting food products because they find it hard to meet the international standardsimposed on members of the WTO under the SPS Agreement. If the expansion occurs AFFA and PestNet inassociation with the ASEANET Secretariat in Malaysia (part of BIONET – International, the Global Network forTaxonomy) will submit a proposal for financial assistance under Round 21 of the APEC Support Program, in orderto develop materials for an awareness programme, including a website to serve as a central reference point for planthealth information in the region. There will also be funds for a meeting of moderators, AFFA and ASEANET staff,funds for a review (after 1 year), and costs of travel. The project, for one year in the first instance, will be submittedto AusAID by the end of March.

Members of PestNet agreed that this venture was in line with PestNet policy to provide information on plantprotection to as wide an audience as possible and that information from Asia would always be of benefit to thePacific and vice versa. Many of the crops grown were the same and so were the pests and diseases. Informationgained in either region would benefit the other. The only concern was that the list server might be dominated byAsian members, but present experience thought that unlikely.

Wilco Liebregts said that apart from discussing the options for the project proposal, PestNet was in contact withplant protection specialists in South East Asian countries who might wish to become PestNet moderators, toincrease ownership of the network in that region. It was hoped that one moderator (perhaps 2), could be recruited.ACIAR has suggested that scientists from Thailand might wish to be moderators as a number were keen, highlyqualified and had access to modern communication technology.

5 The numbers are those east of the dateline - for Samoa, and west of the dateline - for New Zealand, Fiji andAustralia

The expansion of PestNet will demand alterations of its constitution and it was agreed that Bob Macfarlane andWilco Leibregts would go through the constitution and make changes as appropriate, and submit these to theauthority in Fiji.

Item 3: Support to PestNet from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community

1) SPC assistance to PestNet’s project to assist Solomon Islands (Linking farmers to crop protection networks)

A proposal to help Solomon Islands has been written and a part-contribution towards the budget is being soughtbefore submission to major donors.

The Chair gave a brief description of the project, updating Board members on the state of development of theproject and the prospects of financial assistance. The proposal aims to help farmers in Solomon Islands access plantprotection information by e-mail. Four NGOs will collaborate: the Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) will providea link between farmers of the Planting Material Network; messages will be sent through the People First Network(PFnet), using modified HF radios, and PestNet members will backstop the project, providing technical assistance.The KGA sub-office in Malaita will be equipped to send messages to PFnet’s Honiara base. The KGA will raisecommunity awareness, and for at least three major pests (chosen by the community), farmers will trial and monitorcontrol measures. An evaluation will be conducted to share benefits with other Pacific Island countries. SolomonIslands has been chosen to trial this new approach to extension as of the economy has been severely affected byrecent civil unrest and government services are mostly non-existent. The project intends to determine if theprovision of information in this way has the potential to improve crop yields, contribute to food security andincrease household incomes.

The Board heard that the proposal has been finalised and will be submitted to donors in the near future. DFID, Fijioffice and ACIAR, Canberra have said they will provide letters of support, but not financial contributions. InOctober, copies were sent to SPC to see if they were interested in contributing. A teleconference was on 21December 2001 between SPC and PestNet (Grahame Jackson and Wilco Liebregts) heard that SPC thought this animportant project. If possible, the newly appointed plant protection officer would like to visit Solomon Islands asthe project progressed. There was potential for the project concept to be replicated in other countries of the region.SPC would send PestNet a letter outlining its interest.

Grahame Jackson also mentioned that the AusAID Community Peace and Restoration Fund (CPRF), SolomonIslands, was prepared to support the project; details were not yet known, but it was likely that equipment costswould be borne by the Fund.

The Board made a decision to submit the proposal once the terms and conditions of CPRF support was known.

2) SPC participation in PestNet communication

Wilco Liebregts outlined the discussions that he had had with SPC over several months (since July 2000). SPC hasshown interest in participating/contributing to PestNet’s on-line service, and there had been a suggestion thatPestNet distribute SPC’s newsletters and pest alerts. Although PestNet offered to provide the service for free, SPChas said it wishes to make a financial contribution of F$5000 per annum. This offer has yet to be put in writing.

Bob Macfarlane and Mat Purea thought that the token amount should be accepted. The Secretary was asked toapproach SPC once more for confirmation on the issue. These suggestions were agreed unanimously by the Board.

Item 4: FAO/PestNet TCP

Mat Purea gave an update on this proposal which intends to strengthen the role of PestNet in Pacific countries bycarrying out PRAs into farmers’ perceptions of pests and diseases, creating awareness in countries for PestNetservices and introducing the region to Ecoport and other plant protection databases that have considerable localcontent. The proposal was revised after receiving FAO comment in December 2001, and resubmitted.

Wilco Liebregts informed the Board that FAO wished to be supported by several other Pacific Island countries, andthis was happening at present. When comments have been obtained, the project will again be submitted to FAO forconsideration.

Grahame Jackson said that he would send the project to Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and Wilco Liebregts would

request Papua New Guinea to review it.

Item 5: SPREP/PACINET/PestNet

Wilco Liebregts introduced the agenda item by briefing the Board about a letter received from SPREP, the regionalenvironment organisation. SPREP wishes to undertake a feasibility study in the next few months to developPACINET (the Pacific taxonomy network, which is the regional ‘loop’ of BIONET). PACINET was established inMarch 2000 at a regional meeting in Nadi convened by SPC. The responsibility of coordinating PACINET havebeen transferred to SPREP, which has a wider biodiversity focus, than any other regional organisation.

The study would involve reaching an agreement between relevant CROP (Council of Regional Organisations in thePacific) agencies to collaborate and share resources, a well as suggesting how taxonomic needs of countries mightbe met. PestNet was asked if it wished to be involved in this study.There was unanimous feeling among the Board members that this was not a matter that should be undertaken byPestNet: there might be a conflict of interest. PestNet is already assisting the region with on-line identifications ofpests and diseases, and as such it is a potential player in the development of PACINET; this prevents it undertakingthe study, although it can give an opinion if asked. This decision does not prevent PestNet moderators carrying outthe review, as long as their interests in PestNet are made clear.

Item 6: Board members and membership details

There was considerable discussion on Board membership following the decision to expand PestNet to APECcountries in South East Asia. The following was decided:

1) The present moderators would remain as Board members, but that Mat Purea would no longer be a moderator(because of work commitments)

2) Wa Sing would be asked if he wished to remain a Board member3) Paul Ferrar would be asked to join the Board, in recognition of the support he has given to the organisation4) A representative from Asia (?Thialand) would be asked to be a moderator, as well as AFFA.5) AFFA and SPC would be asked to join committees dealing with PestNet APEC matters and the Solomon

Islands project, respectively

As at 24 January 2002, there were 341 members of PestNet. More than 900 messages have been submitted sincePestNet started. Annex 1 records membership details.

There being no further business the on-line meeting was closed at 17.45 Eastern Australian Time.

GVH JacksonChair PestNet6 January 2002

X. Proponent Capability Statement:

PestNet

Pacific PestNet, an e-mail based service run by volunteers, was set up specifically for Pacific Island countries toreceive instant information on quarantine and crop pests and diseases. It provides online discussion, and a questionand answer service through which international experts assist people in the Pacific at no cost. Since its launch inDecember 1999, more than 375 people worldwide (including 22 Pacific Island countries) have joined and postedmore than 1000 messages. PestNet was registered in Fiji as an NGO on 21 June 2000. It has a web site in themaking: http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/grahame/Pestnet/index.html

Many Pacific Island members and organisations have acknowledged the impact of PestNet and support its furtherdevelopment. A review of the SPC/EU Pacific Plant Protection Service Project in 2001 concluded that PacificPestNet was being used by many Pacific Island countries and experts, and recommended that SPC collaborates withit. Bionet International, which is promoting the establishment of PACINET a regional biodiversity network(SPREP6 administered), also endorses PestNet and intends to encourage its development. The Fourth FAO Meetingof South West Pacific Ministers of Agriculture, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 23 – 24 July 2001, recognised the importance

6 South Pacific Regional Environment Programme

and potential of PestNet. The Ministers acknowledged the need for access to information as a means of reducingpoverty and improving food security in the region, the difficulties that farmers experience in accessing informationon plant protection in particular, and the potential of PestNet to help. They stressed that identification of pestproblems remains a constraint and that PestNet has gone a long way in providing a cheap and sustainable way ofovercoming the difficulty.

Plant Material Network

The PMN, an NGO established in 1995 to promote self-reliance and improved food security in rural communitiesthroughout Solomon Islands, has more than 400 members. The members share seeds and vegetative propagatingstocks of food crops, promote ecologically sustainable farming techniques, and conserve more than 120 indigenousand exotic plant species. The PMN has four offices: Honiara, Guadalcanal; Susubona, Isabel; Munda, WesternProvince; and Mana’abu, North Malaita, each of which maintains contact by high-frequency radio.

Kastom Gaden Association

KGA is a Solomon Island based NGO established officially in 2000. KGA has worked informally as theimplementing body of an Australian NGO program that has functioned for six years. The program has been highlycommended and was subject to an accreditation review by the Australian Agency for International Development.The Kastom Gaden Association has the capacity to support the implementation of this project through itsconsiderable expertise in community development and food security in the Solomon Islands’ context.

KGA has undertaken years of participatory technology development with farmers in the area of pest management.The present project has arisen out of the needs and based on the networks developed through that initiative.

The KGA in association with the PMN is implementing projects funded by AusAID and the European Union.

People First Network.

PFnet has recently been set up by SIDAPP (Solomon Islands Development Administration for ParticipatoryPlanning). An Internet café has been established in Honiara and, with grants from the British High Commission andthe Republic of China, is equipped to receive e-mail messages sent via district HF radio transmitters. PFnet willestablish up to 25 rural e-mail stations, operated by members of the Rural Development Volunteers Association, anagency of the Rural Development Division, Government of Solomon Islands, as well as self-funding memberorganizations (eg that set up by PestNet). The objective of PFnet is to facilitate and manage the flow of informationbetween the islands, using mailing lists and web sites. See web site: http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb

M. Previous infoDev Grant: None

13. Intellectual PropertyPlease discuss how intellectual property rights would be managed in this project. None

By submitting an activity proposal to infoDev, proponents authorize the infoDev Program to make public theinformation in fields 1- 9, for the purpose of promoting contacts between proponents and other interested parties.

Please EMAIL your proposal to infodev@worldbank.org

infoDev Work Program AdministratorThe World Bank1818 H Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20433U.S.A.

Phone: (202) 458-5153Fax: (202) 522-3186E-mail: infodev@worldbank.orghttp://www.infodev.org

SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFICCOMMUNITY

PLANT PROTECTION SERVICEPRIVATE MAIL BAG, SUVA ,FIJI

TELEPHONE: (679) 337 0733FAX: (679) 338 6326 or 337 0021

SECRÉTARIAT GÉNÉRAL DE LACOMMUNAUTÉ du PACIFIQUESECTION PROTECTION DES

VÉGÉTAUXPRIVATE MAIL BAG, SUVA ,FIDJI

TÉLÉPHONE: (679) 337 0733TÉLÉCOPIEUR: (679) 338 6326 or 337 0021

In reply please quote file: 23 May, 2002En réponse, veuillez indiquer:

Grahame Jackson,Queens Park,NSW 2022. Australia;Fax: 612 9387 8004

Dear Grahame,

Linking Farmers to Crop Protection Networks Project (Solomon Islands)

This addresses your earlier e-mail of 3rd February 2002 in the light of recent developments.

Dr Lloyd has previously pointed out the requirement for SPC to work through Pacific IslandsGovernment Departments. We have this week been able to hold useful meetings with Dr. Morgan Wairiu,Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, and Jimmie Saelea, Acting Director ofResearch. This has enabled us to move forward on the above project.

We have previously recorded our acknowledgement that this project has considerable potential meritrelating to SPC PPS interests in improved pest management, in that it seeks to harness and testdevelopments in information & communication technologies for enabling farmers to have improvedaccess to plant protection information. This confirms therefore, subject to the following, our earlierindication of support for the project to the extent of US$37,322.

This sum is to be directed primarily to support the component ‘Result 3: Farmers Pest Management’encompassing the PestNet Survey and Pest Identification. Under the component ‘Result 4: ProjectManagement’ PPS funds should allow the Ministry to have an observer status through attendance at theperiodic review meetings: the funds would be for travel and subsistence costs in attending such meetings.Funds under Result 3 would also support project monitoring by PMN staff, and evaluation.

Requirements for this support include the timely provision of:• signed copy of SPC PPS Financing Agrreement• pest survey data to SPC PPS and to the Ministry for entry into its Solomon Islands Pest List Database• reports on extension activities and their results, to the Ministry and SPC PPS• notification of key activities at which the Ministry or SPC PPS are to be presentand evidence that the remainder of the project funding has been sourced.

With respect to the issues raised in your e-mail, I confirm that financial management by PPS applies tofunds provided by PPS, payments can be made in advance against agreed 6-monthly work programmes,and the costs of PPS technical staff attending project activities will not be taken from the funds allocatedto this project.

Sincerely,

Richard VernonCoordinator, PPS Information & Extension

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To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to confirm the support br and involvement of the Kastom Gaden Association inthe development and submission of the project proposal ‘Linking Farmers to Crop ProtectionNetworks (Solomon Islands)’. The project is an innovative partnership between PacificPestNet, Kastoni GadenAssociabon, Solomon Islands Planting Material Network and PFNetthat aims to confront serious agricultural pestand disease problems in North Malaita. Webelieve the project will havea direct and positive impact on food security through theinnovative use of information technologies and grass roots extension approaches.

YoursSincere1y~”~

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