Ruaha-Mbuyuni - CVP Report May 17-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
5th visit Year One
May 17, 2010

Village Ruaha Mbuyuni (Kwale)
Pastor Elia Kango
Companion Holy Trinity, New Prague
Attendees 8
Weather for the past month Dry
Reporter Gabriel, Ibrahim, Rev. Mang’ulisa

In this visit we were accompanied by Pastor Paul Harris from Easter Lutheran and Dr.Mwandelema(veterinarian) from DIRA. This place is real dry. The plots are located in the area near by the river where they can be irrigated. When we arrived, we went directly to the plots. The demonstrations took place over there.

Purposes of the visit
• Instructing how to take yield measurements
• To deliver a tin and Liter for taking yield measurement

Topics
1. Rain records
We checked the records and write down in our note book. The village has been affected by drought. The area got few rains at the end of December and few days in January only.
2. Review of Handouts
o 5th visit handout was reviewed
o Yield measurement sheet was reviewed and two copies were provided for yields recording.
3. Demonstration
It was demonstrated how to take the yields in 10m in different three rows. We told them to record the number of plants (and of ears for corn) and volume in liters in the yield sheets provided. To get good comparison, we asked them to do the same in one of the neighbor’s plot(s).




Plots
• Bean plot
The bean plot has been planted last Saturday. They told us this is the time to plant beans in Kwale. The bean plot is in different location with that of corn. They have decided to locate the bean plot here because of the problems they are having with the water pump. They are using somebody’s water pump which is old and currently does not function well. That pump is near by the corn plot. There is a guy with a new pump in other side of this irrigation land. He is going to run the pump to irrigate his farm, they have asked him to use that pump for beans, he has allowed them to use it to irrigate ¼ acre only. The bean plot has been moved nearby this guy’s farm to take the advantage of this guy’s pump. They asked us to look the way they have planted; they have done a good job.

• Corn plot
We visited the corn plot about 400m from that of the bean. The corn has been planted March 13, 2010. The plot is usually irrigated in the interval of 7-8 days (if the pump works fine). In our last visit (January) we gave them 50,000/=TShs, that is what has been used to buy fuel for the pump. Last week (May 10, 2010) they did the second application of fertilizer. The plants are at knee high. They look fine although there are signs of poor germination. They said after planting, the pump had a problem; some seeds did not germinate because of lack of enough moisture. One side of the farm has taller plants about 5 inches more that another side. Reason is; one time they did irrigate one part of the farm and the pump stopped working, they had to repair it, one week later they managed to irrigate the other part.


Comment
Pastor said Masai men do wait for something to have an outcome before they participate or adopt. He said if the demonstration plot is going to give highest yields than the rest of the plots in that area, men will start to participate and adopt the techniques but if the yields are going to be poor, only women and children will be left to go on with the plot. However since the food crisis is becoming serious in Tanzania and many Masai (livestock keepers) lose many cattle due to drought and diseases, Men are now abandoning some of their customs and starting find ways to learn how to farm. There were number of Masai men in group who are active in the project.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We told them to do a good job in the demonstration plots. The good job will result into higher yields. We told them they should take the measurements as we instruct. This will give clear comparison with how neighbors’ plot performance. We delivered one tin and one liter for taking yield measurements.