AERS142 Case Study Report 1st Semester 2014-2015 Group 5 Activity 4 Exercise: Communication Analysis In solving the issue of Cocolisap infestation, collaboration with different actors involved is deemed essential in present and future endeavors. The communication or lack thereof can affect the inputs and outputs of each actor. Effective communication is believed to be essential for the success of any agricultural development project. This chapter sought to assess the effectiveness of agricultural information systems and communication networks among actors. University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) The University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), being a premier university specializing in agriculture, has researchers and experts that tackle the issue of Cocolisap infestation. Specifically, Dr. Mario Navasero and Dr. Celia Medina, serve as the leading bresearchers and experts of UPLB when it comes to the issue at hand. The technical and research aspects of the Cocolisap infestation became the foremost objective of UPLB as an actor. Moreover, one of the University’s efforts to bring about effective communication and to share insights on Cocolisap infestation was the recent forum this 2014 wherein key actors were invited. As usual, the scientific nature of Cocolisap and its other components are the area of concern of UPLB. From pest identification to pest eradication, UPLB researchers assert that investment on scientific research should be prioritized in order to stop the rampant infestations. The scientific jargons of these people might not be comprehensible for laypeople. In this regard, science communication could play a vital role in establishing effective communication among key actors such as Philippine Coconut Authority who is responsible for regulations in the coconut industry and the coconut farmer whose livelihood is at stake. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is the primary agency responsible for the development and propagation of the country’s coconut industry, which why they play a crucial role in the containment of the most recent Cocolisap infestation in Region IV. This specific agency’s objective is to reduce the number of outbreak areas as a first step to curb the plague. In order to do that, Mrs. Erlene Manohar, Project Development Officer of Region IV, discussed the procedures that the agency has administered since the outbreak. The basic measures taken were pruning the infected leaves and branches, followed by spot-spraying and trunk-injecting the trees with bio-control agents. Through effective pest-mapping, they were also able to better determine the range of the spread and quickly counteract it. They were also persistent with their RNEs and stint quarantines, and involved the Farmer Field School for preventive and comprehensive action in addressing the problem. Their end goal after continuing with the treatment is a massive coconut replanting and intercropping program. However, in order to thoroughly carry out these measures, each stakeholder in participation with the PCA should be completely involved. In this case, the most pressing concern that Manohar indicated regarding the knowledge system is the lack of cooperation and commitment of all the stakeholders involved in it. The knowledge perception of the PCA is that the discussed solutions, particularly the trunk injection, is voluntary, and cannot be forced on any of the farmers, especially those who practice organic production. Farmers The Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Counsel BAFC, established under Executive Order 116 or the formation of Agriculture Fisheries Councils, aims to identify and resolve agricultural issues in the barangay level. It is an organization that aims for a more systematic flow of information from the governing body to the stakeholders. Aside from coconut farmers, vegetable farmers and landowners are also members of BAFC. BFAC is the Agriculture and Fisheries Counsel in the Baranggay level. It is under the City Agriculture and Fisheries Counsel which is then under the National Agriculture and Fisheries Counsel. Infromation, technology and ordinances flow downward from the national to the baranggay level. Messages, Communication Methods and Approaches Used in BAFC BAFC uses many means of communication to reach its members. Because not all are diligent in attending regular meetings, the radio is used as a medium to relay important messages. For the case of CSI, Executive Order 169 and general assemblies are announced on air. Aside from this, posters and pamphlets are also given out to disseminate information, usually about procedural protocols. However, the most common type of communication among the farmers are face-to-face communication. The officials of BAFC also make their rounds in the farmers’ households or the tenants’ lands to convey the messages. Philippine Coconut Authority Mario Navasero (CPC -UPLB) Dr. Celia Medina (CPC-UPLB) UNESCO Problem situation contain and control of cocolisap drastic measures to terminate cocolisap Pest identification Farm productivity Objectives Lower outbreak level End the cocolisap outbreak Eliminate cocolisap and revive infected coconut trees Improve farm productivity and income of farmers, Solution Protocols -pruning -trunk injection -spot spraying -biocontrol agents -continous RNE -‘Stint’ quarantine, pest mapping , surveillance and quick response Farmer Field School massive coconut replanting and intercropping Natural enemy Biocontrol agent- Coperiella sp. (Encytidae, Hymenoptera) ACTION PLAN quantifying population outbreak, determining internal factors, external factors Integrated-Coco-industry Roadmap Integrated pest management for the LGU PCA-LGU partnership Strengthen contribution of sci community Problems of the K system Cooperation and commitment of stakeholders Farmer Participation Conflict with PCA re use of neonicotinoid Conflict with organic agriculture advocates Coco Levy fund controversies Farmer empowerment World views, ideologies, reasoning Social circumstances Philippine Coconut Authority (Erlene Manohar) Mario Navasero (CPC -UPLB) Medina Differences in K and Perception trunk injection is voluntary “we will not force anyone to use trunk injection. For organic certified farms” discard chemical trunk injection prohibit the use of any chemical pesticide neonicotinoids have been instrumental in killing off the native and natural predators of the CSI “In four years time, the coconut will naturally recover and so trunk injection would not be necessary” coconut meat and its water would be contaminated with chemical pesticide is baseless; no detectable residue Prohibited harvest of all nuts 60 days after injection PCA and UPLB would take weekly random samplings of all injected trees as part of their monitoring of the safety of the pesticide biological control agents should be reevaluated in terms of their effectiveness
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 06:55:13 +0000
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