Mlowa-CVP Visit Jan 12-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
4th Visit Year One
January 12, 2010


Village Mlowa
Pastor Lunogelo Mbwilo
Companion Christus Victor
Attendees 11
Weather for the past month Heavy Rain
Reporters Ibrahim and Roger

Purpose of the visit
• Planting bean and fertilizer application demonstrations
• Demonstration on second fertilizers application in corn
• Deliver fertilizer bags, Bean seeds, bottle spray, and insecticides
Topics
1. Greetings
Roger gave greetings from Christus Victor, Saint Paul Area Synod and US Ag Advisory Committee
2. Went through the handouts
o 4th Visit handout
o Quiz handout
o Rain record sheets. They have received 214 mm or 8.4 inches of rain since early November.
3. Demonstrations
We demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (30cm). Using a string and a hand hoe it was demonstrated how to make a trench for planting the bean seeds. One seed was placed after every 10 cm. It was demonstrated how to place one full bottle cap of fertilizer between 2 seeds i.e. Seed-seed-fertilizer-seed-seed-fertilizer etc.

4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizer recommended was NPK (10-18-24) for bean seed planting. The congregation was given 2 NPK bags and 40 Kg of bean seeds, variety of bean seeds delivered is Uyole 96. Also 2 bags of CAN were given to them for second fertilizer application for corn.





Comments
 They planted corn on December 29, 2009 and they received rainfall (24 mm) on the same day and when we visited the plot they have had very good germination. We were impressed by what the plot looks like as compared to all near by field.

 It was recommended to plant their beans in March because they are expecting to use Irrigation and that is their best time to plant beans based on the weather patterns.

 After observing the bean seed we delivered, they were happy to see the seeds were in good condition compared to the local seeds they have been using.

 Eight of the nine people who attended the meeting have already started to practice some of the techniques taught.
One farmer planted corn in rows in his irrigated plot last year (NB: we started training in March, 2009) and managed to harvest. His children helped him to harvest both this time and in the past. Since he used to plant randomly he was supposed to re-harvest again in all areas which were harvested by his children and got 3 tins of shelled corn but this time his children harvested very well because he planted in rows.

Questions from audience and answers

 They asked if the spacing of 30 cm by 10 cm will form the canopy to shade the ground
We explained to them that this variety will form a canopy since it is a bush type, there are some other varieties will not form canopy if planted at that spacing- like a climbing type.

In there past experience on planting beans they found out some beans will get infection just after germination and that might cause to a total plant death or poor growth. What are the causes?
We answered them that the disease is most likely caused by seed born diseases due to re use of selected seeds from last year’s crop. So we highly recommend that they buy new seeds and do crop rotation such as beans followed by corn.

Seed born diseases can they be treated?
This can be solved by using good/clean seeds and crop rotation as explained above.

 They asked if spacing for beans is specific to a certain type or variety.
The Answer is yes, such as bush type Vs climbing type.

 The pastor asked if after harvesting corn and beans in the demonstration plots can they sell and open an Agriculture account so that after 3 years when the project phase out they can support themselves?
The answer is absolutely yes, it is a good idea to start thinking about being independent.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We emphasized the importance of following instruction because the success of the program depends upon them following what we instructed. They promised to follow all the instructions.