Bomalang'ombe Secondary School - CVP Report Jan 15-2010

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
4rd visit Year One
January 21, 2010

School Bomalang’ombe Secondary School
Headmaster Michael Mkinga
Companion Trinity Lutheran, Stillwater
Attendees Headmaster, Ass. Headmaster, Teacher on duty and About 100 students
Reporter Gabriel Malima

We met the Head master in his office. Students were taking tea break. After the break we started a meeting with about 100 students and three teachers.

Purpose of the visit
• Bean planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• Bean seeds, fertilizer and pesticide delivery
Topics
1. Plot and rain records
We could not check these records because the teacher responsible for keeping the box file was not present. We told them we would like to see the file in every visit we are making; hence they should make sure they have it in our next visit.
2. Review of Handouts
o 4th visit handout was reviewed
3. Demonstrations
These demonstrations were carried out in the corn plot before the students and teachers.
I. Beans
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (30cm) and intra row spacing (10cm). String was used to make trench and in the trench bean seeds were placed 10cm apart. Fertilizer was placed 5cm from the seeds. Both seed and fertilizer were covered.
II. Corn
It was demonstrated how to do second application of fertilizer in the corn. Two holes were made 5cm from the plant and fertilizer was put then covered. We told them to do this when the plants are knee high.
III. Pesticides
We instructed them how to use Thionex for controlling plant damaging insects.
4. Fertilizers bean seeds and pesticides
We deliver 4 bags of NPK for bean plot and 3 bags of Urea for corn. The bean seed variety delivered is “Uyole 96” (60kg) . We left one bottle of Thionex pesticide and small sprayer.

Comments/questions from audience
 Most of the corn seeds they planted did not germinate, what was the problem?
I told them successfully germination requires 3 things
1) Healthy seeds (which I am sure we delivered)
2) Moisture
3) Oxygen
I asked them what the weather was like at the time they planted, they said after planted the rain stopped for about two weeks. I told them insufficient moisture is likely to cause that problem. However according to the instructions we gave them in our last visit they were suppose to replant within one week after the beginning of germination. They said they did that but the germination was poor again!
 In case of the failed germinated, should they use fertilizer again when replanting seeds?
No, since the fertilizer of the first application is still in the soil, they do not have to use fertilizer again.
 Last year the beans matured too early and hence they were rotten due to continuous rainfall, how are they going to solve that problem this year?
I told they this year we are going to give them a bean seed variety which is suitable to their area. Moreover it has been purchased in a trusted source. We believe it will tolerate their weather.
 How are they going to deal with the armyworms breakout? They said they have just heard that there have been armyworms outbreaks in nearby villages.
I told them that in case of an armyworms breakout or any other incidence of pests, the important thing is to control in early stage before there is severe damage. We are going to give them pesticide “Thionex”. They should spray to their plots.
 At the time of the maturity, they sometimes face the problem of coldness/chilling and this can damage crops, is there any type of chemical they can spray to the plants to prevent damage?
I told them the only way to prevent damage to the crops is to plant varieties which are tolerant to that kind of weather. We have tried to deliver the corn seeds and bean seeds of the varieties which are tolerant to their weather.


Conclusions/Recommendations
I visited their corn plot, it does not look nice. In most parts of the farm seeds did not germinate. Those which germinated are now tall plants; they are nearly reaching knee high. I asked the teacher if they replanted as we instructed them, he said they did, but germination was poor for the second time. I saw the signs of the replanting in the places where there was no germination. Moreover I noticed in some part of the plot that the spacing was a little bit wider than what we instructed them. I told them this will significantly reduce the yields. I insisted the importance of following our instructions. I told them we now expect better job in the bean plot. Headmaster said he will supervise himself to insure that. I told the students that what we are doing is teaching them modern farming techniques because we believe they can carry the knowledge back to their homes. They should work hard and do things correctly without supervision.

NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of Urea is 50kg