Lukani-St.StephenTheMartyr, WhiteBearLake-CVP Report-Mar 30-2011

2011 CVP
Companion Village Project
1st Visit, Year One
March 30, 2011


Village Lukani
Pastor Jenabeli Madembo
Companion St Stephen the Martyr, White Bear Lake
Attendees 22
Elevation 1930m
Distance from Iringa town 50km
Ag Institute Staff Roger, Gabriel, Nafeti and Rev. Mang’ulisa

The village is big and houses are scattered around. The Parish is dived into two churches; in the main church is where the demonstration meeting was conducted. The government extension officer attended the meeting along with other members of the Parish.
Purpose of the visit
• Introducing the CV project to the congregation
• Taking the soil samples for soil analysis
• Delivering punching machine, box file and a hand hoe
Topics
1. Introduction
Rev. Lunodzo Mang’ulisa introduced the project by encourage attendees to participate in the project. Roger delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and St. Stephen the Martyr, White Bear Lake. He also talked about the farming practices which will be taught.
2. Handouts
After an introduction, the handouts were distributed to all then together with the participants we went through them.
• CVP Plot record of events
• DIRA – Institute of agriculture agreement
• Chronological Plot Management of Crops Planted in Nov/Dec 2011
• CVP Instruction – 1st Visit
3. Background information of this village
The village has population of 2,195 people and 595 Families. Crops grown here are corn, beans, peas and pyrethrum. Farmers use improved corn improved varieties such as H628, H6303, SIDICO627 and Pioneer. However some are still using local varieties. Average yield for corn is 5 – 6 bags/acre and beans is 2 bags/acre. They experience good weather; enough rainfall during the rainy season.
4. Soil sampling
After the meeting in the church we went outside. Together with the members of congregation we took soil samples from 4 points around the church. Two types of samples were taken, from 6 inches depth and 12 inches depth. The samples will be taken to the laboratory for soil analysis
Comments/questions from audience
 How are we going to deal with weeds with underground shoots?
We would advise you to dig them and leave them on soil for sun drying
 Is there negative effect of the herbicides in the soil?
If herbicides are used more than recommended, yes there will be negative effect in the soil and the crops grown in that land.
 We heard that fertilizer called DAP destroy soil when used in two or three consecutive years?
Fertilizers will have negative effect in the soil when used more than recommended. DAP, will do the same. However DAP will not destroy your soil fertility if used as recommended for two or three consecutive years.
 You said you are going to take the soil samples. We have different soil types in this village. Are you going to take them in every part of the village?
No, we are not going to take in every part of the village. We will take in four different sites within one acre. We will mix the soil to get a good representative of these places; we hope the sample we take will represent the whole village
Conclusions
The extension officer of this village has been very cooperative in our demonstration meeting. We told them we will be back in August therefore they should prepare 1 acre land for the demonstration plot close to the church.