PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 7:32 PM by Luigi

Banana market study in Pohnpei

From Dr Lois Englberger

We are happy to share with you below a copy of our article just released in the Kaselehlie Press (local newspaper)! This was an exciting project as it provides the first recent data on locally marketed foods…see the words of our IFCP Chairman and Chief of Agriculture, Adelino Lorens.

For those of you on the island, you may be interested in the actual article as there is an accompanying photo. In addition, we have a fuller report of the project, including tables and photos of the markets.

Here again we would like to thank all those assisting, in particular, the participating markets and Angela Parvanta, University of Hawaii intern for IFCP, who led the data collection, analysis, and write-up! Thanks also to Kaselehlie Press for your continued support!

Pohnpei Banana Market Study Presents Baseline Data

By Lois Englberger

An impressive total of 48,251 pounds of banana was purchased by 14 local markets from farmers during an 8-week period June to August 2006, as documented in the Pohnpei Banana Market Study. This project was coordinated by the Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP) and the Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs, with initial assistance by the College of Micronesia-FSM Land Grant Program.

Most of the bananas marketed were Utin Menihle and Utin Ruk. Only 12% (5888 pounds) of the total consisted of the beta-carotene rich yellow-fleshed varieties. Still, the study showed that a diversity of banana varieties was marketed, including 17 in all.

The purpose of the study was to provide baseline data on both the volumes and varieties of banana marketed. This will be useful for the campaign in promoting local food and the rare yellow-fleshed banana varieties, which are particularly rich in nutrient content.

Angela Parvanta, University of Hawaii student doing an internship with IFCP, led the data collection and analysis, along with Lymer Yamada, assisting as part of the WIA student program. Angela said, “The market people were friendly and helpful. I went every day to the markets, Monday through Friday, and the market staff provided the information as recorded in their receipt books.”

Adelino Lorens, Chief of Agriculture, pointed out, “As most local markets are open 6 days per week, this 8-week study shows that about 1000 pounds of bananas are being supplied daily to the local markets, and this does not include all markets. Also this is during the slower summer months. The study is also important as it provides the first recent data on Pohnpei food crops marketed locally.”

The market study documented the volume of banana purchased by variety and market, and also showed how many markets were marketing each specific variety.

Karat, the State Banana of Pohnpei, was marketed by eight markets (over half), which is quite an achievement as no market was selling Karat in 1998 when the campaign started.

Data were also collected on the volume of marketed giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma), which is another highly nutritious local food. In total for a five-week period, 1037 pounds of this food crop were marketed by five markets.

As a token of appreciation, Let’s Go Local t-shirts were provided to market staff members participating in the study, as well as color photographs, showing their respective markets. Thanks are again extended to the 14 participating markets, University of Hawaii, WIA Program, Sight and Life and the New Zealand Embassy supporting this study.

Caption to the accompanying photo in newspaper article: Merlain Alik shows her impressive display of local food crops, available for sale at her IGCM Market in Kolonia.

Lois Englberger, PhD
Island Food Community of Pohnpei
P. O. Box 2299
Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941 FM
Tel: 691-320-8639 Fax: 691-320-4647
Website: http://www.islandfood.org



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DIVA-GIS	Saturday, September 16, 2006 Posted 7:32 PM by Luigi Banana market study in Pohnpei From Dr Lois Englberger We are happy to share with you below a copy of our article just released in the Kaselehlie Press (local newspaper)! This was an exciting project as it provides the first recent data on locally marketed foods…see the words of our IFCP Chairman and Chief of Agriculture, Adelino Lorens. For those of you on the island, you may be interested in the actual article as there is an accompanying photo. In addition, we have a fuller report of the project, including tables and photos of the markets. Here again we would like to thank all those assisting, in particular, the participating markets and Angela Parvanta, University of Hawaii intern for IFCP, who led the data collection, analysis, and write-up! Thanks also to Kaselehlie Press for your continued support! Pohnpei Banana Market Study Presents Baseline Data By Lois Englberger An impressive total of 48,251 pounds of banana was purchased by 14 local markets from farmers during an 8-week period June to August 2006, as documented in the Pohnpei Banana Market Study. This project was coordinated by the Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP) and the Pohnpei Office of Economic Affairs, with initial assistance by the College of Micronesia-FSM Land Grant Program. Most of the bananas marketed were Utin Menihle and Utin Ruk. Only 12% (5888 pounds) of the total consisted of the beta-carotene rich yellow-fleshed varieties. Still, the study showed that a diversity of banana varieties was marketed, including 17 in all. The purpose of the study was to provide baseline data on both the volumes and varieties of banana marketed. This will be useful for the campaign in promoting local food and the rare yellow-fleshed banana varieties, which are particularly rich in nutrient content. Angela Parvanta, University of Hawaii student doing an internship with IFCP, led the data collection and analysis, along with Lymer Yamada, assisting as part of the WIA student program. Angela said, “The market people were friendly and helpful. I went every day to the markets, Monday through Friday, and the market staff provided the information as recorded in their receipt books.” Adelino Lorens, Chief of Agriculture, pointed out, “As most local markets are open 6 days per week, this 8-week study shows that about 1000 pounds of bananas are being supplied daily to the local markets, and this does not include all markets. Also this is during the slower summer months. The study is also important as it provides the first recent data on Pohnpei food crops marketed locally.” The market study documented the volume of banana purchased by variety and market, and also showed how many markets were marketing each specific variety. Karat, the State Banana of Pohnpei, was marketed by eight markets (over half), which is quite an achievement as no market was selling Karat in 1998 when the campaign started. Data were also collected on the volume of marketed giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma), which is another highly nutritious local food. In total for a five-week period, 1037 pounds of this food crop were marketed by five markets. As a token of appreciation, Let’s Go Local t-shirts were provided to market staff members participating in the study, as well as color photographs, showing their respective markets. Thanks are again extended to the 14 participating markets, University of Hawaii, WIA Program, Sight and Life and the New Zealand Embassy supporting this study. Caption to the accompanying photo in newspaper article: Merlain Alik shows her impressive display of local food crops, available for sale at her IGCM Market in Kolonia. Lois Englberger, PhD Island Food Community of Pohnpei P. O. Box 2299 Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941 FM Tel: 691-320-8639 Fax: 691-320-4647 Website: http://www.islandfood.org * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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