formation on marketing tilapia locally. These sessions were run as open discussions to evaluate the level of knowledge and identify missing information or misinformation that each participant brought to the course.
One-half of each day at Zamorano was dedicated to practical training and handling of fish. Participants learned to harvest and grade fry with plastic mesh graders, and to prepare feed with methyl-testosterone while utilizing adequate techniques and personal protection. We discussed the techniques and then practiced calculating the amount of feed to offer the fry, stocking densities, and MT dosage using recommendations from previous CRSP research efforts. We also discussed techniques and practiced proper handling of fry for counting and transport in Honduras.
Each participant was given a plastic mesh fingerling grader (3 mm mesh) to be used for separating fry by size to improve the effectiveness of the hormone treatment. Each participant prepared a stock solution of methyl-testosterone (one liter at 1 mg MT/ml) that they took to their farm for use in sex-reversal procedures.
Much of the course content was derived from CRSP research carried out at the El Carao Fish Station in Honduras,
other CRSP sites around the world, and the results of work done on the Aquaculture Station in Zamorano. Each participant was given a copy of the CRSP publication entitled ³Tilapia Production on Integrated Farms.²
Several positive outcomes of the event were:
€ A dynamic and productive interaction among the farmers themselves was created. After the course we have spoken with several of the participants and they have informed us that they keep in contact and help each other with advice and sharing of inputs;
€ They each learned from each other¹s experiences as well as from the members of the Zamorano team; and
€ The host country CRSP team gathered new insight into the problems and limitations these farmers are attempting to manage (the need for more technical training, difficulty obtaining MT, interest in new genetic lines of tilapia, and alternatives to locally available expensive feeds).
We concluded the course with a lunch at Lake Yojoa. Each participant received a diploma of participation and
was requested to write down his/her impressions of the course content and the experience at Zamorano.
Some of these comments were:
³Excellent course, we learned a lot, well organized and good combination of theory and practice.²
³Very interesting course, very useful information and experience for my work in extension; I am dedicated to involving more farmers in fish culture, a very special course that has helped me better understand tilapia culture and improve the quality of my fish.²
³I am totally satisfied with the course and with Zamorano and the CRSP, I am more motivated to assist small farmers to culture tilapia utilizing my new knowledge and experience derived from this course. We hope to continue learning more.²
We are planning to hold another course for fingerling farmers this year. For this course the participants will be identified strategically in areas of Honduras were there is tilapia culture but no local sources for fingerlings. In the future we plan to offer similar training to tilapia producers from the other Caribbean and Central American countries.
