Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Welkam! Welcome to the third newsletter of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded ‘Bisnis Blong Buluk’ research project (LPS/2014/037, ‘Increasing the productivity and market options for smallholder beef cattle farmers in Vanuatu’). Our apologies for the lengthy delay since the last newsletter circulated in March this year. It has taken a while but there has been a lot of activity over recent months on the Bisnis Blong Buluk project, and we are pleased to be able to provide updates on these activities. Within this newsletter you will read about the arrival of much of our research equipment and project resources, commencement of cattle monitoring on smallholder farms on east-coast Santo, the first harvest of the forage evaluation work at VARTC and the use of tablets to collect survey and biological data in the project. Also included are our usual features introducing the team members and links to other useful information and publications. We hope the information presented in the newsletter is of interest to you and look forward to sharing some experiences from the field in the next newsletter to be circulated in early 2017. As this will be our final newsletter for 2016, thank you to everyone for your support and patience this year and we look forward to a productive 2017. We also wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Tank yu tumas Lonny, Noel, Joe, Alistair and Simon

For more information regarding the Bisnis blong buluk project or if you wish to no longer receive updates please contact Lonny Bong, Department of Livestock ([email protected]) Noel Kalo, Department of Industry ([email protected]) Alistair Wate, VARTC ([email protected]) Joe Timothy, VAC ([email protected]) Simon Quigley, The University of Queensland ([email protected])

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Project staff recruitment We are pleased to announce that Mangau Navian and Joseph Sul are currently employed by the project as Field Researchers on Santo. Mangau and Joseph started in their roles in August and have been busy learning about the project and some of the methods we will be using. Mangau and Joseph will be responsible for much of the day to day operations of the project under the supervision of Steve Boe and Keith Antfalo on Santo and will be responsible for day to day project activities. We will feature both Joseph and Mangau in our next newsletter. The position of Project Support Officer remains vacant at this stage. If you know of any young, well organized and enthusiastic candidates please encourage them to contact a member of the project team.

All geared up for research After a long delay much of the project equipment required for research activities has arrived on Santo. The major pieces of equipment to arrive include two drying ovens at VARTC, mobile cattle crush and scales at Dept. Livestock, tablets for digital data collection, equipment for the project office in the SANMA provincial building, motorbikes and a project vehicle.

Bisnis Blong Buluk goes digital The Bisnis Blong Buluk project is one of several projects identified by ACIAR to pilot test digital platforms for data collection. AgImpact have been engaged by ACIAR to support and evaluate the use of the digital platforms across these projects. The Bisnis Blong Buluk project is using CommCare software installed on hand held tablets to conduct household surveys and to collect cattle and farm production data. Mobile Acquired Data (MAD) Masterclass, Canberra (6 to 10 June, 2016) Contributed by Keith Antfalo The ACIAR Beef cattle research project Bisnis Blong Buluk (BBB) which ACIAR as a government agency that commissions agriculture research in developing countries for the benefit of the rural poor recently undertook an evaluation of digital data collection applications to understand the benefits and suitability of these systems in projects they have commissioned. The BBB is one of the few projects piloting use of apps. Simon Quigley (Project/Production Leader), Scott Waldron (Markets/Economics), Cherise Addinsall (Social/Livelihoods) and Keith Antfalo (Country Partner) attended the four day training workshop in Canberra, Australia to understand the scope of digitalizing data collection which involves developing applications and using apps in tablets or mobile phones to collect data and the ethics behind media (picture and video recording) stories. Digital data collection sounds exciting but work behind the scenes developing apps that will be used by frontline workers (project staff) is a challenging task. The implications of using apps or digital data collection are a definite eye-opener, looking at how accurate and time-efficient data collection can become – given the application development process (software programming) has been thorough. The go – to software which ACIAR approves is Dimagi (@dimagi.inc) that each ACIAR project is trialing out in digital data collection. Ultimately, given the use of apps data/information can be delivered back to farmers in real time which is crucial in-terms of adoption rate of best practices which can benefit farmers improve their livelihoods. From a holistic perspective, use of apps can have an impact on datadriven policies which are accurate and realistic.

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Photos from the MAD Masterclass in Canberra (Source : Keith Antfalo & Connor Ashleigh) Bisnis Blong Buluk pilot tests digital data collection After further support from AgImpact, Cherise Addinsall and Simon Quigley developed a number of surveys in CommCare which have now been uploaded as an app. onto tablets. Project and Dept. Livestock staff participated in a short-training and feedback workshop in Luganville during September. Staff were trained on how to use and navigate around the surveys in the app. The key component of the training was to receive feedback that the questions, flow of survey and technology were appropriate for use in rural communities in Vanuatu. Participants generally found the tablets and app. easy to use and appreciated the likely increases in efficiency and accuracy of data collection and collation using a digital platform.

a.

b.

c. d. Project team members participating in training ‘interviews’ using the tablets. (a. Geoffry and Jerine, b. Joseph and Tiel, c. Norah and Cherise, d. Simon with tablet).

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

The team is now pilot testing and deploying the surveys with a small number of households on east coast Santo, leading to further refinements in the design of the surveys on the tablets.

b. a. Mangau interviewing Micah (a.) and Keith and Norah interviewing Kenery and Lora (b.) in Khole_1 using the surveys designed in CommCare on the tablets

Have crush, will travel Identification of individual cattle, characterizing the herd structure and recording the liveweight and reproductive performance of individual cattle within a smallholder farmer’s cattle herd are the basis for our research activities. This will be conducted at a baseline level and then in response to change’s in management and/or marketing practices implemented by farmers with the project team. To conduct these activities it is essential that cattle and farmer safety is paramount and that activities are conducted in a manner that minimizes animal, farmer and researcher stress and maximizes the accuracy of data collection. The Bisnis Blong Buluk project has acquired a mobile cattle crush which allows the team to move from farm-to-farm collecting individual animal data with farmers. The Bisnis Blong Buluk team started testing the mobile crush and cattle data collection with farmers and cattle in the field in late September. It will be interesting to see how the crush performs over the project and how far off-road into the bush we can travel.

a.

The mobile crush in use at Khole_1, east coast Santo.

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Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Forage harvest at VARTC The first biomass harvest of the grasses and legumes in the evaluation plots at VARTC was conducted in October. The team spent three days conducting the harvesting biomass to determine dry matter production of each of the grass and legume species under evaluation. Results will be circulated in the future and it is planned for small groups of smallholder farmers to visit the plots to discuss results from the first biomass harvest, assess regrowth and develop plans for small scale demonstration plots to be established on farms in some locations soon.

The team conducting the first biomass harvest at VARTC under the guidance of Kendrick Cox (QDAF) during October 2016. Photos and information from Kendrick Cox.

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Bisnis Blong Buluk office on Santo launched The Deputy Prime Minister (Minister of Trade, Tourism, Industry, Commerce and Ni Vanuatu Business) Hon. Joe Natuman officially opened the Bisnis Blong Buluk office in the SANMA provincial building on 29-September-2016. There was media coverage of the event with a piece in the Vila Times and short interviews on both Radio Vanuatu and on Television Blong Vanuatu. Thanks to Noel, Keith and Joseph for the organization.

Other developments Volunteers The project team have worked with ScopeGlobal in Port Vila to develop an assignment for a volunteer Cattle Farming Systems Advisor. The volunteer will assist with co-ordination of project activities and will help build capacity of local staff to conduct farmer relevant research. A description of the position can be found at the below link. Short-listing of candidates from the current advertising round is in progress. http://www.volunteering.scopeglobal.com/assignments/AV0916VU17P

Tropical Forages All partner organsiations have received a copy of “Tropical Forages” CD. The Tropical Forages database and factsheets are also available on-line at www.tropicalforages.info/

University of South Pacific student research topics As part of the commitment to R&D capacity building, ACIAR in partnership with USP established the ACIAR-USP Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme in 2007. The Scheme provides the opportunity for partner country students to become involved in ACIAR-supported collaborative research projects while obtaining postgraduate qualifications at USP. Recently ACIAR requested projects that are active amongst the Pacific island countries to nominate research proposal topics for potential students. The Bisnis Blong Buluk project nominated the following research topics for interested candidates, 1. Copra and kava markets and price drivers, from a regional to a national to a local level and the impacts on the cattle sector in Vanuatu 2. Evaluation of forage species, including tree and shrub legumes, under plantations in Vanuatu 3. Response of weaner cattle to dietary protein and drinking water availability in the dry season in Vanuatu More information can be found at the following links http://aciar.gov.au/training/aciar-usp http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=gascholarship

Vanuatu Agriculture College student lectures Simon and Kendrick have both given lectures to the students at VAC over the last few months on cattle and forage research respectively. This will continue as the project progresses and time permits. We hope to be able to bring small groups of students out to the field to gain experience in livelihoods surveys and cattle, forage and marketing/business research and training activities.

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Featured team member Name :

Stephenson (Steve) Boe

Where were you born : Where do you live now : What is your role in this project : What is your job away from this project : Are you married : Do you have children : Favourite holiday destination : Favourite destination in Vanuatu : Favourite food : Favourite music : What do you like to do to relax :

Ambae Island Luganville, Santo Coordinate cattle production component within the project Livestock Officer Yes Yes (3 Boys & 1 girl) Fiji Mystery Island Baked potato and pork/vegetable Easy western country Watch marine and wild life documentaries

Congratulations!!!

To Noel and Rolyn Kalo (nee John) on their wedding in July this year.

Publications Members of the team recently published the following scientific papers which may be of interest. Please contact the authors if you are interested in receiving a copy of the abstract or full paper. Cherise Addinsall, Pascal Scherrer, Betty Weiler and Kevin Glencross. 2016. An ecologically and socially inclusive model of agritourism to support smallholder livelihoods in the South Pacific. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research. DOI: 10.1080/10941665.2016.1250793. Diogo Costa, Simon Quigley, Peter Isherwood, Stu McLennan and Dennis Poppi. 2016. Supplementation of cattle fed tropical grasses with microalgae increases microbial protein production and average daily gain. Journal of Animal Science. 94, 2047-2058. DOI: 10.2527/jas2016-0292

Research with smallholder cattle farmers in Vanuatu Issue 3

November 2016

Upcoming dates and events Date 1-Aug to 18-Nov-2016 25-Nov-2016 27-Feb to 2-Jun-2017 22-Nov to 3-Dec-2016 11 to 16-Dec-2016

Semester 2, VAC Graduations, VAC Semester 1, UQ Simon on Santo Cherise on Santo

Activity

Upcoming public holidays 29-Nov-2016 National Unity day (Vanuatu) 25-Dec-2016 Christmas day 26-Dec-2016 Family day (Vanuatu) / Boxing day (Australia) 27-Dec-2016 Christmas day (holiday) 1-Jan-2017 New Years day 2-Jan-2017 New Years day (holiday) 26-Jan-2017 Australia day (Australia) 21-Feb-2017 Dr W H Lini day (Vanuatu) 5-Mar-2017 Custom Chiefs day (Vanuatu) 6-Mar-2017 Customs Chiefs day (holiday) (Vanuatu) If you have dates of upcoming events or meetings that may be of relevance to the project team, please let me know and they can be included in future newsletters. Websites Organisation Bisnis blong buluk Facebook page ACIAR The Vanuatu Agricultural College Department of Industry, MTTCNVB Vanuatu MALFFB, Vanuatu The Australian Society of Animal Production Dr Ross Ainsworth’s monthly reports on Southeast Asian cattle markets (Beef Central) Vanuatu Daily Post Secretariat of The Pacific Community Review of regional beef markets and trade in China and Southeast Asia Tropical Forages

Website https://www.facebook.com/Bisnis-Blong-Buluk-Research-Project584442538380033 http://aciar.gov.au (Homepage) http://aciar.gov.au/publication/term/36 (ACIAR Partners magazine) https://vac.gov.vu http://doi.gov.vu http://www.malffb.gov.vu http://www.asap.asn.au http://www.beefcentral.com/live-export/se-asia-report http://dailypost.vu http://www.spc.int http://www.uq.edu.au/agriculture/caeg-cattle-and-beef-projects-5 www.tropicalforages.info/

If you have any interesting or relevant links to websites or other mail-lists they can be included in future newsletters.