The increasing population pressures and emerging trends of socio-economic marginalization or rural populations are putting a heavy strain on the delicate ecosystems of the Pacific island Countries.?In response to the rapidly increasing demands for food, Pacific farmers abandon traditional farming systems to adopt high input commercial production methods for short term gains, which are often unsustainable, in particular on sloping lands.?The resulting erosion causes rapid depletion of soil fertility, and pollution of ground- and open water systems.
The CROPPRO project aims to provide assistance to Pacific Island countries with the development of integrated farming approaches for sustainable crop production in environmentally-constrained systems.?The project specifically addresses the relation between agricultural activities and the surrounding environment, and focuses on the development of tailor-made farming approaches for major crop/soil units aiming at maximizing agricultural production and minimizing environmental deterioration.?Special attention will be paid to knowledge transfer and participatory, culture-sensitive training for stakeholders and end-users.
Project coordinator:
Dr Coen RITSEMA
Alterra
B.V.
Droevendaalsesteeg 3
6708 PB Wageningen
Netherlands
Tel: +31 (31) 747 4266
Fax: +31 (31) 741 9000
Email: c.j.ritsema@alterra.wag-ur.nl
Participants:
|
Participant name |
Status* |
Country |
| C |
Netherlands |
|
|
Universit? Catholique de Louvain |
M |
Belgium |
|
Eco - Consult Pacific Co. Ltd |
M |
Fiji |
|
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests |
M |
Fiji |
|
The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd |
M |
New Zealand |
|
Matuaileco Environment Trust Inc. |
M |
Samoa |
|
The University of the South Pacific |
M |
Samoa |
|
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |
M |
Tonga |
*C = Co-ordinator; M - Member
Sources: European Commission
