Mission 3: Abelmoschus at Gwou'ulu

Kastom Gaden Association
Planting Materials Network, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, and PestNet



Linking Farmers to Plant Protection Network
(Solomon Islands)

Project #1222 infoDev The World Bank







KGA/DAL/PestNet Workshop on
Sliperi Kabis at Gwou’ulu


Mission Report 3
26 to 28 January 2004














Sydney
February 2004
Introduction

This is the second of two workshops held in the project area in January 2004, and followed a few days after one on taro at Gwaiau in the highlands. Gwou’ulu, the site for the second workshop on slippery cabbage or sliperi kabis, as it is known in the local Pidgin English. Its scientific name is Abelmoschus manihot. It was chosen by the Baetolau Farmers’ Network following PRAs in October 2003. The village is on the north coast of Malaita about half an hour (by canoe) from Silolo, the site of the email station established by KGA/PestNet under the infoDev Project.

The aim of the workshop was to share information on sliperi kabis among farmers, extension staff and scientists, to identify and prioritise the pest problems and by working together find options for control. Experiments will be done by growers, and monitored with the help of the KGA/PestNet Community Field Officer, who will provide PestNet moderators with regular email updates, and these will be sent to others in the network.

The workshop was held in a classroom of Gwou’ulu School, and attended by 31 participants, 26 of whom were women. A list of participants is given in Annex 1.
The workshop
Opening remarks

After an opening prayer by Father Willie, Chief Alik Inia gave the opening address. He welcomed participants and said that the community was pleased to host this workshop; it was the first time that one had been held in the village, and he was sure that it would be of great help to the community. He also hoped that the resource people would feel at home in the village. Although many of the participants could not read or write, nevertheless, there was keen interest to learn and to participate in the activities of the workshop, even though some might at first be hesitant to contribute.

The background to the workshop was explained, and why it was being held at Guou’ulu. KGA started working on pest problems in the area in 1998, and found that there were many differences between farmers. This led to the idea of sharing experiences so that all farmers might benefit. The KGA/PestNet project is a way of doing this and at the same time gaining technical expertise from many countries via the network.

The farmers were asked to introduce themselves. They also commented on sliperi kabis as a food. It was considered by the majority as the number one ‘greens’, mainly because of its favoured taste – it was sweet and cooked quickly. Sliperi kabis with coconut milk was a favourite with many participants. There was an opinion that the cabbage was easy to grow (except for the pest problems), and looked appealing when cooked.

The workshop agenda is presented in Annex 2. The format was similar to that on taro at Gwaiau the previous week.
Defining the pest problems

The participants worked in four groups to consider the problems of growing sliperi kabis in the village. They then went to the gardens to collect samples to illustrate those pests of concern. Leaders of the groups then presented the results of the discussions, which also included control measures in current use.

In order to get an idea of the main problems in the gardens, the resource persons also made visits to nearby gardens.

For the most part, the main problems on leaves as well as stems were clearly identified by particiants. Small holes in the leaves were made by Nisotra beetles (bubulu); larger ones by at least two species of grasshopper (siko). Hornworms, warialo, (Hippotion celerio) were an occasional problem, as were unidentified fulgaroids (bebe kwaoa). The stem borer, kabis wa wa, (Earias vittella), was mentioned as a problem, but was not common in the gardens at the time of the visit. Common encrustations on the stems by scale insects were noted, especially on older growth or in gardens where soils were poor (most gardens were in scrubby secondary bush where coral outcrops were common).

Some pests, for example the scale insect, were also recognised as a problem on cassava and papaya. The problems identified in order of importance were as follows:

Ranking Problem (local name) Cause What does it do?
1 Bubulu (28) Nisotra sp. Makes a lot of holes in the leaves
2 Siko (18) Grasshoppers Large holes in leaves
3 Kabis wa wa (16) Earias vittella Bores the stem and kills the shoot
4 Bebe kwaoa (8) Fulgaroid plant hopper Not sure
5 White spot (7) Scale insects Colonises the stems I large numbers
6 Warialo (6) Hippotion celerio (hornworm) Eats the leaves
7 Crab (2) Crab Uproots young plants
The numbers in brackets are the votes recorded for each problem: each participant was allowed three votes.
Present control strategies

Overall, the participants were unclear where the problems originated, the life cycles of the pests or how to control them. Most groups thought the insects came from trees in the gardens after they were burnt as part of the clearing process. There was a general impression that problems were worse in the dry season than the wet, although this did not apply to Nisotra, which was a problem throughout the year. Its impact was worse, however, where sliperi kabis was planted in poor soils as new leaves were slow to develop and consequently the impact from insects feeding was greater.

Few control measures were practiced: pull up, throw away or burn the plant or cut off infested parts, seemed to be the most popular. While this approach was a useful remedy against Earias stem borer, it made little difference to Nisotra or grasshoppers. The suggestion by a male participant that Nisotra was less when sliperi kabis was planted under shade was firmly contradicted by several women. However, all agreed that daily handpicking larger insects, such as grasshoppers, kept them in check.
Botanical sprays

There was overwhelming interest in carrying out experiments to control pests of sliperi kabis, especially for control of Nisotra.. As cultural control measures did not offer a solution, and all the varieties seemed to have similar susceptibility to the pest, attention turned to the use of sprays. Conventional insecticides were not appropriate under the circumstances: people had little money to spend on them, and if they had, they were not available in the isolated communities of north Malaita.

It was, therefore, decided to test botanical sprays made from local materials. Those with potential against the insects identified by the participants were listed, and how to make them demonstrated. They were:

Uka (Derris sp.)
Fu’u (Barringtonia sp.)
Tobacco
Chilli
Garlic
Seaweed
Ash (as a fine powder)

The recipes are given in Annex 3.

In addition to showing participants how to make the sprays, methods of application were explained as well as safety precautions. The participants were not aware that botanical sprays may contain substances that are injurious to human beings or the environment. Care must be exercised when they are made, applied, stored or disposed of, just as if they were conventional pesticides.

Afterwards, groups elected to make two sprays. The following day, they visited a nearby garden, where they were shown how to make counts of insects and to apply the sprays safely. Numbers of bubulu were counted on the top of the leaves only, whereas total counts of siko and kabis wa wa were made. After counting, leaves were sprayed to run off on both the top and underneath surfaces.

Seaweed required to be fermented for several days before application; accordingly, the group responsible will apply it at a later date.
The results of the insect counts are given in Annex 4.

Monitoring the trials

Farmers’ observations

The farmers decided that they would note the number of insects before and after spraying and the type of spray used. However, there were differences of opinion on when the observations would be made: some farmers said daily, others less often, perhaps once a week.

Monitoring by KGS/PestNet

Roselyn Lulumae, Community Field Officer and John Felaka, Extension Officer, will visit Gwou’ulu once a month. They will come first in February to start the experiments with the workshop participants. At that meeting, members will decide on the composition of groups (this was their preference), and elect leaders. It is hoped that the groups will meet regularly to exchange experiences and for members to encourage and help each other.

If growers want to start their trials before this time, they can do so, using the 2 litre hand sprayers left with a John Peter, a teacher from the village.

A second workshop will be held mid-year to discuss the results of the trials.
Workshop evaluation

Participants were asked to comment on the workshop by answering the following questions:

What three things have you learned?
What did you like about the workshop?
What could be improved next time?

There was overwhelming support for the workshop and all the participants thought that it was a good idea to share information.

The workshop concluded with a lunch and official closing.
Acknowledgement

The organisers of the workshop, KGA/PestNet and MAL, are grateful to the Chiefs of Gwou’ulu and the community for hospitality, attendance and active participation during the three-day workshop. We also would like to thank Johnson Ladota, a farmer and resource person from north Malaita, who willingly shared his experiences on using botanical sprays on sliperi kabis and other crops. The infoDev World Bank is thanked for support.

Annex 1

Workshop participants


Participants

Ellen Lui
Emily Kiriau
Ester Reke
Emily Oneone
Ester Tegu
Gladys Tatalo
Josephine Inia
Mary Timo
Ellam Geu
Gwerii Fisiota
Samson Nokia (Chief)
Gladys Faifu
John Peter (Teacher)
Father Willie

Resources persons

Johnson Ladota
Roselyn Lulumae
Mclean Vagalo
Grahame Jackson























Hilda Tagini
Ellema Luke
Liza Marivale
Bright Ben
Margaret Falasi
Mafiliu Samane
Pama Kaelonga
Joyce Peter
Liza Soni
Caroline Faoka
Ellen Koto
Maena Fisiota
Joanna Mary
Alick Inia (Chief)
Margaret Willie
Silverio (Headmaster)









Annex 2
Workshop timetable

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday
8.30-9.00 Official Opening (Community Leader)
Introductions and expectations (on small cards)

Workshop arrangements (rules and groups for social, service, spiritual and recap.) Introductions – how important is sliperi kabis compared with other greens?

Recap

Input from researchers, and discussion on most promising methods for experiments Introductions – another sliperi kabis question

Recap

Working in groups decide what to record (what, when and how?)
10.00-10.20 Break Break Break
10.30 Small groups:
Sliperi kabis pest and disease stories
∑ What is the problem?
∑ What does it do?
∑ Where does it come from?
∑ What season?
∑ What causes it?
∑ What else do you know about it?
∑ What do you do about it? Making the sprays Monitoring and follow up – by Farmers and by project

Evaluation in small groups

Workshop photo

Official closing kai kai
12.00 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH
1.30 Collect samples of pest and disease from sliperi kabis gardens (Same small groups) Continue making the sprays

Choosing the trials.
What is a good farmer field trial?

Recap: what do we need and ingredients

Safety matters
2.30 Small Group Presentations
3.00 – 3.20 Break Break
3.30 - 4.30 Continue group presentations Go to garden: demonstrate methods for farmer field trials and apply sprays
Annex 3
Composition of sprays

Uka Chilli Tobacco Garlic Fu’u Ash Seaweed
∑ 2 roots of Derris
∑ Smash
∑ Scrape Kwato bark to fill 1/2 kg plastic sugar bag
∑ 5 leaves toiltoi (Wedelia sp.)
∑ Put uka, kwat and toitoi in a bucket overnight and cover with water
∑ Make up to 2 litres with water
∑ Strain add 2 grams soap
∑ Use ∑ 45 chillies
∑ Smash
∑ Put into bucket with 1 litre water and rub with hands
∑ Soak overnight
∑ Squeeze and strain
∑ Make up to 2 litres with water
∑ Add 2 grams soap
∑ Use ∑ 5 large leaves
∑ Smash
∑ Add 1 litre water
∑ Leave overnight
∑ Make up to 2 litres with water
∑ Strain add 2 grams soap
∑ Use ∑ Scrape 20 grams garlic
∑ Soak in small amount of vegetable oil
∑ Leave overnight
∑ Add 2 grams soap in 05. litre water and dissolve
∑ Mix garlic and soap
∑ Make up to 2 litres with water
∑ Strain add 2 grams soap
∑ Use ∑ Scrape one seed
∑ Add 1 litre water
∑ Leave overnight
∑ Make up to 2 litres with water
∑ Strain add 2 grams soap
∑ Use ∑ Take ash from fire (make sure cool!)
∑ Beat to make fine
∑ Put in coarse cloth or into a strainer
∑ Shake thinly over each leaf ∑ Take large handful of seaweed
∑ Wash to remove salt
∑ Put in bucket with water and leave to ferment (strong smell)
∑ Take one bottle (375 ml) seaweed and add 3 bottles water
∑ Add 2 grams soap
∑ Use


Note: Soursop is another product that can e used as a botanical spray. This is made as follows: collect all the seeds from a fruit; smash to a powder; mix with 2 litres water; add 2 grams soap; strain and use. Be careful not to the spray into your eyes.
Annex 4

Counts of insects on sliperi kabis before spraying

Date Group Method Plant no. No. of insects
Bubulu Siko Wa Wa
20 January 1 Chilli 1 10 1 0
2 30 1 0
3 25 0 0
Garlic 1 5 1 0
2 9 0 0
3 4 0 0
2 Uka 1 10 0 0
2 5 1 0
3 15 0 0
Tobacco 1 20 3 0
2 10 4 0
3 7 0 0
3 Fu’u 1 3 0 0
2 7 1 0
3 15 1 0
Ash 1 5 1 0
2 3 1 0
3 4 1 0
4 Uka 1 12 0 0
2 10 1 0
3 4 0 0
Seaweed* 1 0
2 0
3 0
Control 1 13 0 0
2 16 1 0
3 12 0 0
*Seaweed sprays were scheduled after the workshop following several days of fermentation