Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Jan 26-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
4th visit, Year One
January 26, 2011

Village Ifunda
Pastors Jenock Mwilafi
Companion HOUSE OF PRAYER, OAKDALE
Attendees Male 5 Female 15 (1st time attendees: 10)
Weather Dry for the past two weeks
Ag Institute Staff Gabriel and Pastor Mang’ulisa

Purpose of the visit
• Bean planting demonstration
• Fertilizer applications demonstration
• Bean seeds and fertilizers delivery

Topics
1. Going through handout with attendees
 4th Visit handout
2. Demonstrations
We demonstrated on how to plant beans in the appropriate spacing and how to apply fertilizer to the beans. It was also demonstrated how to make the second application of fertilizer to the corn.
3. Delivery
Type/Variety Amount
Bean seeds Uyole 98 27kg
Fertilizers NPK 2 bags
CAN 2 bags
Pesticides Thionex 1 liters
Sprayer pump Anicrop Capacity 5 liters

4. Plots
Location of the plot had to change. The first location was a rented piece of land. The owner decided to take it back at the beginning of the rain season. Plot is now at the preaching point about 5km from the parish.
Corn
Spacing instruction has been followed and the plants look good. In some portions of the plot, nitrogen deficiency is observed. This is probably due to the sandy soil and hence leaching is taking place very fast.
Bean
The plot is clean and is expected to be planted next week

Comments/questions
 How many times should they apply fertilizers in beans?
We told them to do just single application at the time of planting. Beans have capacity to fix nitrogen therefore the second application is not necessary.
 They were wondering if they should use NPK only for the first application or they can use other fertilizers
We told them, we recommend NPK because it is suitable to their area regarding the nutrients it contains, however other fertilizers ie. DAP are suitable too.
 What is the best way to deal with pests and diseases in the farm?
The best way is to do crop rotation, this will cut off the disease or pest cycle from one generation to another.

Conclusion

It is their first year here. We encouraged them to take good care of the demonstration plots. From these plots, they will be able to learn modern farming activities and hence increase the yields in their farms.