Plants Without
Borders
Technology Transfer, Demonstration Facility and An International Agriculture Experience for Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Penn State Cocoa Molecular Biology Research Program
Director: Dr.
Mark Guiltinan
Dept. of Horticulture
814 863-7957
Undergraduate Students
Candice Thomas Nicholas
Willis
Biology Major Life
science Major
Dr. Siela Maximova Carter
Miller
Research Associate Horticulture
Graduate student
Dept. of Horticulture
Carter@psu.edu
Plants Without Borders is a new way for Penn State students to
experience international agriculture, and will develop technology validation
and demonstration plots in the field with the cooperation of farmers. This project is based on the concept that we can help people
by transferring simple horticultural technology to developing countries, while
at the same time providing international learning experiences for
students. We will set up
demonstrations sites with the cooperation of cacao farmers, who will begin to
use the new technology developed at PSU for propagating cacao. In the long run the farmers can provide
plants for their own use, or perhaps start small businesses to provide plants
for their neighboring farms.
The first project for Plants Without Borders will be implemented
June 20-30th 2000, in Trinidad, there we will 1) construct a
greenhouse, 2) set up an irrigation system and 3) provide training on
vegetative propagation of cacao to a farmer. Roopchand Baschk, a local cacao farmer, was contacted by Ms.
Candice Thomas through her church.
This farmer was seen as a good opportunity to work with as he 1) was in
need of help, 2)is a cocoa farmer, 3) owns land near a road and 4) is
interested and willing to test new technology and to develop in the long run,
cocoa propagation capacity for his region. The Penn State group will include two undergraduates, one
graduate student, one professor, and a research associate from the lab, as well
as a reporter (expenses separate) for Penn State Research, who will write an
article on the project to be published in Winter 2000. As a part of the educational component of the trip, we will
also visit one of the best known international cocoa research stations in
Trinidad, and a world famous cacao plantation.
Project Objectives
Project 1: Trinidad Cocoa Propagation Facility
Specific
Objectives of Trinidad Trip
·
To
initiate technology transfer and demonstration site of cacao propagation
technology the field.
·
Expose
students to international agriculture work.
·
Build
functional cocoa propagation greenhouse and irrigation system which has the
capacity of producing at least 1300 plants/yr of improved varieties.
·
Provide
training in cocoa propagation.
·
Provide
team learning experience.
·
Learn
how cacao is farmed in Trinidad.
·
Develop
collaborative network with researchers in Trinidad.
Resources in Hand
·
Two
undergraduate and one graduate student dedicated to carrying out the work.
·
Appropriate
cocoa propagation technology knowledge.
·
A
Trinidadian farmer with expressed interest in developing propagation facilities
for provision of plants to his farm and possibly development of a small nursery
business.
·
Cooperation
of the Trinidad Ministry of Agriculture and Cocoa Research Unit for approval,
provision of improved cocoa varieties, and long term extension service to the
farmer.
Costs
At this time, we have no
specific funding for this project. We are seeking funding from several sources:
The American Cocoa Research Institute, Penn State College of Agricultural
Sciences, PSU Office of International Programs as well as Private Foundations,
for example the Rotary Club.
Follow Up
Phone
calls will be made frequently to Mr. Baschk to monitor the progress and to
provide advice if needed. We will
also communicate with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension agents to get their
opinion of progress and request help if needed. We will return to Trinidad after one year and evaluate
progress and collect as much information such as number of plants being
produced, status of the plants ect.
We will begin collecting growth data of the propagated plants and will
monitor over time as funding permits.
Budget
Ground work
·
8
loads backfill,backhoe,cement block $4/block,10 sacks cement needed before
gravel, sand 2 loads, 2 yds aggregate, construction gravel
·
Total
$1,400
Greenhouse materials
·
1
gallon of primer, 296ft of 2" diameter steel pipes, 8 20' support pipes,12
1x1 iron pipes,11 20' z purlings (roofing structure),1 roll RC wire, 5 20'
shelving frame
·
Total
$1300
Greenhouse coverings
·
Shadecloth
12ft wide ($340 approx]), UV plasic 24 ft wide ($170)
·
Total
$600
Stationary tables
·
750
angle iron, tubing and pipe for framework
·
Total
$600
Field Preparation Tools
·
Brush
clearer, gas powered ($159.00),
blades ($12.98[x4]), small chainsaw for pruning ($109), mist blower ($550),
water pump 3/4 HP
·
Total
$1000
Travel Expenses
Lodging
·
Total
$900
Transportation
·
Van
to and from airport, 5 tickets, ten days for Maxi taxi
·
Total
$3000
Food
·
6
people/10 days
·
Total
$1200
Grand Total= $10,000
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
20 June 2000, Tuesday
·
Drive
to JFK airport
·
arrive
at Port of Spain 10:56pm
·
truck
& van waiting to pick us up
Day 2
21 June 2000, Wednesday
·
evaluate
building site, begin work
Day 3-4
22 June 2000, Thursday
·
continue
greenhouse construction
Day 5
24 June 2000, Saturday
·
construction/
travel to research institute
Day 6-8
25 June 2000, Sunday
·
construction
Day 9
28 June 2000, Wednesday
·
last
construction, details wrap up,
Day 10
29 June 2000, Thursday
·
visit
old cocoa plantation
Day 11
30 June 2000, Friday
·
van
& truck transportation to airport
·
plane
leaves at 8:26am
·
transportation
back to Penn State