Myo Win, de la Charles Stuart University, en Australie, a passé un mois au Bureau régional de la FAO à Bangkok, où il a préparé un document sur le thème «Outils et matériel agricoles à utiliser en priorité dans le Pacifique Sud». Cette étude portait sur les instruments de culture à privilégier dans les écosystèmes fragiles des îles du Pacifique Sud. Elle soulignait la nécessité d'introduire et d'essayer des outils appropriés fabriqués dans les pays d'Asie, les critères étant la facilité d'utilisation et l'efficacité. Les risques pouvant dériver de l'utilisation d'instruments inadaptés étaient aussi soulignés. Le document sera distribué aux membres du réseau concernant l'utilisation d'outils et de matériel agricoles dans les îles du Pacifique, auquel adhèrent les Etats Membres du Pacifique Sud, et qui est coordonné par l'Université du Pacifique Sud, Apia, Samoa.
De acuerdo con los términos del Programa de la FAO sobre cooperación con instituciones académicas y de investigación, el Sr. M. Win, de la Universidad Charles Stuart en Australia, estuvo un mes en la Oficina Regional de la FAO en Bangkok, preparando un informe sobre las «Prioridades de los implementos y utensilios agrícolas a utilizarse en el Pacífico Sur».
En el informe se consideraron las prioridades actuales para los implementos agrícolas en los frágiles ecosistemas de las islas del Pacífico Sur; se enfatizó la necesidad de introducir implementos adecuados y probados en los países asiáticos; y se acentuó que el implemento correcto es aquel que el usuario siente cómodo y que hace el trabajo eficientemente. En el informe también se destacaron los peligros potenciales de la utilización de implementos y utensilios inapropiados.
El informe se distribuirá a los miembros de la Red del Pacífico sobre utensilios e implementos agrícolas, que está compuesta por los Estados Miembros del Pacífico Sur, y será coordinado por la Universidad del Pacífico Sur en Apia, Samoa.
Myo Win, an expert from Charles Stuart University, Australia, spent one month with the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand, preparing the paper Priorities for agricultural tools and implements for use in the South Pacific. Win, who was previously Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of the South Pacific, Apia, Samoa, has specialized knowledge of the subject.
The paper prepared by Win considers the current priorities for farming tools in the fragile ecosystems of the South Pacific islands. With the continuing migration of the population to the cities, appropriate and efficient tools - "smart hand tools" - are needed to enable the dwindling numbers of farmers to cultivate their land. In all cases, the essential prerequisites for tool selection are appropriateness to the farming system and ease of use by the farmer.
Inappropriate tools can be used improperly and thus become hazardous. The report comments on the introduction of knapsack chemical sprayers in Samoa as an alternative to the bush knife traditionally used for weed control. Within a few months of their introduction the sprayers had become a health hazard to the users. Farmers were using their fingers and thumbs to produce spray, as the nozzles got blocked easily. Also, farmers generally worked without shirts because of the heat, and they were consequently exposed to leakage from poorly maintained sprayers.
The expert noted that small 15 to 20 h.p. tractors were most suitable in terms of capital and running costs. Tillage implements should be chosen according to the soil of the individual farmer and modified to fit the individual user. Livestock farmers would benefit from tools for fencing and chainsaws.
The expert's recommendations for follow-up include support to subsistence agriculture with smart hand tools; promotion of the use of animal draught power to reduce ever-increasing fuel bills; use of alternative energy sources such as biogas and solar and wind energy; development of rural workshops with welding and blacksmith facilities for maintenance and modification of tools; involvement of women and young people in tool testing and encouragement of their participation in decision-making; and teaching of agricultural and rural technology subjects in primary and high schools.
The paper is to be circulated to the members of the Network for Agricultural Tools and Implements in the Pacific Islands, which includes the South Pacific member countries and is coordinated by the University of the South Pacific. The first follow-up task will be the dissemination of the information to farmers.