Bomalang'ombe Secondary School CVP Visit-Nov 3-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
November 03, 2009


School Bomalang’ombe Secondary School
Headmaster Michael Mkinga
Companion Trinity Lutheran, Still water
Attendees Ass. Headmaster, Discipline Master, Two other teachers and About 300 students
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima and Phil Larsen


We did not get the seeds (H 6303) today. We placed an order at the shop in Iringa but they have been unable to deliver despite repeated promises. The shopkeeper told us we will get them this morning, however, this morning she told us she lost communication with the truck shipping the seeds from Mbeya. We had to move on with our visits and will send the seed by bus to the villages when it arrives.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil delivered greetings from Trinity Lutheran, [Stillwater], Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. We went through the handouts
o Fertilizer needs template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row seed spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and a bottle capful of fertilizer was placed 5 cm. away on each of the seed .
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the analysis of the soil samples of this area, types of fertilizer recommended are NPK (10-18-24) and CAN (27-0-0). The school was given 2 bags of NPK, however since it has 1 ½ acre plot, it was supposed to be given 6 NPK bags. We told them we shall give an additional fertilizer to the headmaster/ Ass. Headmaster when he comes to Iringa town with the school car. We shall do the same with the seed H 6303. CAN will be delivered later for application when the plants are knee high.

Comments/questions from audience
 Students were surprised that we recommend 4 bags of NPK per acre. At home they only use 2 bags
We told them the recommendations we are giving them are based on the soil analysis we conducted and the spacing we are using for corn which are 60cm by 20cm.
 Students asked, if a person follows all the instructions we give them how many bags of corn will he/she get?
We told them once all instructions are followed, one acre should be able to give 25 bags of corn with adequate rainfall.
 They asked if they have fertilizer remaining after application in a specific area (i.e. one acre) what should they do with it.
We told them all fertilizer should be used in the given area as recommended, i.e. 4 bags of NPK per acre. After application using the bottle cap the remaining fertilizer in the bag should be spread evenly in the same field.
 They were wondering whether they should add fertilizer at the time of replanting when there is no germination
We told them at the time of replanting they should not add more fertilizer because fertilizer from the first application will still be present in the soil
 After being told that Phil is the Plant pathology Professor, one student wanted to know what the black substances were that he has been seen on the tassels at his family farm –is it a disease or disorder and how can it be prevented.
 Phil told them that the black substance is probably caused by a plant disease
called corn smut and can be prevented by using smut resistant varieties when
available.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We had very large audience which was very responsive and attentive. Many students wanted to participate in the project and help with the demonstration plot.


NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg
• Seed and other 4 bags of NPK were transported to the school on November 15, 2009. We could not get the H 6303, instead we deliver H 614.