Kitowo-1st Ev. Luth., Rush Cty, MN-CVP Report for Oct.29-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report Year One
3rd Visit
October 29, 2010
Village Kitowo
Pastor Hezron Kiswaga
Companion First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rush City
Attendees Male 4 Female 8
Weather warm, Dry
Reporters Gabriel and Phil

Purpose of the visit
• Delivering seeds and fertilizers
• Demonstrating corn planting and fertilizer applications

We arrived in Kitowo afternoon coming from Pommern. We met Parish members waiting for us. We conducted the meeting in the church and then we drove to the plot.
Greetings
Before we began the demonstration, Phil delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and US Institute of Ag advisory committee
Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
• 3rd Visit Instruction
• Plant population with 60 cm. rows and Fertilizer applications
• Fertilizer needs template

Demonstrations
o Planting and fertilizer applications
We drove to the plot at the center of the village. We demonstrated on how to place seeds and how to apply fertilizers. We insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together. There should be at least 5cm apart.
o Seeds and fertilizers
We delivered 2 bags of NPK and 4 bags of corn seeds
Crop Seeds Fertilizer
Varieties Amount Type Amount
Corn H628 8kg (2 bags ) NPK 100kg (2 bags)

Questions from the audience
 Are we going to use the two bags of fertilizers for beans too?
No, the two bags brought have to be used to the corn plot only (instructed in the handout). In December we will come back with another 2 NPK bags for bean plot and 2 CAN bags for the second applications in corn plot
 We are having “leaf eating insects” when plants are in early stages?
We will bring insecticides called Thionex for the demonstration plot. It is an effective insecticide; you should use the same kind in your farms too.
 We have never use NPK for corn. We have been using it in Peas only, why do you recommend us to use in corn?
NPK fertilizers can be used in most of the crops. The recommendations based on the soil analysis we have conducted. The NPK supplies Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and your soil needs all of this nutrients
 We heard that fertilizers destroy soils, is that true?
No, that is not true. Fertilizers do not destroy soil. What will destroy your soil fertility is the wrong usage of fertilizers. If you apply more than what is recommended or if you apply the wrong king of fertilizers, you are destroying the fertility of your soil.

Conclusion
We left Kitowo in the evening. We told them to follow all the instructions especially the spacing and fertilizer application. We will be back in January for more instructions.