Mlowa - Chistus Victor CVP Visit Report 1/25/2011

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
4th Visit Year Two
January 25, 2011

Village Mlowa
Pastor Lunogelo Mbwilo
Companion CHRISTUS VICTOR, Apple Valley, MN
Attendees Male 12 Female 3 (1st Time attendees: None)
Weather for the past month Dry
Reporters Gabriel and Pastor Mang’ulisa

In this visit we were accompanied by Michael Onesmo (from Group consultancy) and Itiwen Luhwago (Microfinace Institute of Tumaini University), we together with Michael and Itiweni are conducting Agricultural Market Research onthe small holder farmers sponsored by Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans.
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 how to plant beans in the appropriate spacing and how to make the fertilizer application to the beans. We also demonstrated how to make the second application of fertilizer to the corn.
3. Delivery
Type/Variety Amount
Bean seeds Wanja 30kg
Fertilizers NPK 2 bags
CAN 2 bags
Pesticides Thionex ½ litres

4. Plots
Corn
The corn plot looks very good. Spacing has properly followed and the weeding has been done frequently. Since this is an irrigated plot, they will soon allow water to flow to the plot.
Bean
The plot for bean has been prepared and soon will be planted. We have changed the bean variety here. Last year we gave them the variety called Uyole 96 and it did not perform well. This year we are introducing another variety called Wanja, which we expect will do better.

Discussion
There are 15 attendees, and 4 said they have adopted the techniques.
Pastor said he has been using the techniques and has seen increase in yield from what he used to get
Another member said he has started to use the techniques, he does not do intercropping and he uses fertilizers. From what he has seen now (green and strong plants) he expect to harvest more than he used to before
During our discussion, the issue of irrigation was raised. As the village population increases, the scramble for irrigated land increases. It looks like there will not be enough irrigated land for everyone. We advised them to start thinking of having efficient irrigation schemes where by water is not lost along the way in the sand soil. Paved tunnels and paved ditches would help. However introduction of more drought resistant crops will also help. This village has a problem with elephants coming to eat crops during the night. Seems like we do not have clear solution for that!!

Comments/questions
 The Pastor said that they had the problem with the livestock keepers feeding their cattle on other people’s crop residues. They now do the grazing at night therefore it is very difficult to prevent them from doing it
We advice them to go to the livestock keepers and get the cow manure as the compensation of their crop residues and they should apply it to their farm to increase the organic matter in their farms

Conclusion

This year the Pastor and the Parish members are more determined. They work hard trying to adopt what is taught and the Pastor does a good job of keeping records. We told them to keep up the good work.