Strengthening the Capacity of Farmers’ Associations to Increase Production and Marketing of Root Crops, Fruits and Vegetables in Federated States of Micronesia - TCP/MIC/3601
No hay miniatura disponible
Fecha
Autores
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
FAO ;
Resumen
Descripción
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces a number of challenges in ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods for a growing population. These include a stagnant economy, limited employment, increasing poverty, limited agriculture and an epidemic of nutritional disorders. The country is also highly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters and climate change, in particular given its number of low-lying atolls. FSM is also affected by drought as a result of El Niño. Prior to the project, one of the major constraints to increasing domestic agriculture production in FSM was a lack of farm inputs or appropriate sustainable crop production and soil management technologies for farmers to increase local production of food crops, fruits and vegetables. Poor soils, pest and diseases outbreaks were also prevalent. With limited market opportunities and low competitive advantages of local agricultural products. Agricultural production in the FSM was far below the level needed to meet the domestic demand. In addition, the Department of Resources and Development had limited technical capacity to provide effective extension support services to farmers. In the context outlined above, the project aimed to strengthen the capacity of farmers’ associations in Yap and Pohnpei to increase domestic agricultural production, both for import substitution and potential export opportunities. The desired increase in agricultural production was expected to be linked with a focus on the development of marketing skills, allowing farmers to supply consistent and high-quality produce for local market and potential export markets, thereby increasing their income level. This project has contributed to the capacities of farmers to supply a consistently higher quantity and quality of root crops, fruits and vegetable to both the local market and potential export markets.