Mlafu - Our Saviors, Sillwater CVP Report May 30-2011

2009 CVP -- Companion Village Project
Visit Report
5th Visit Year Two -- May 30, 2011

Village Mlafu
Pastor Daiso Mpesa
Companion Our Savior’s, Stillwater
Attendees 23
Weather for the past month Rainy
Institute staff Don, Karen and Gabriel

Purpose of the visit
• Explain and demonstrate how to take yield measurement
Topics
1. Greetings
Don delivered greetings from Our Savior’s-Still water, Saint Paul Area Synod and US Ag Advisory Committee. He spoke about the importance of getting the right yield measurements and explained why they are highly needed
2. Went through the handouts
o 5th Visit handout
o Yield recording sheet
o Rain record sheets to know the amount of rain received during this season
3. Demonstrations
We demonstrated how to measure the 10 m row (in three different locations within the demonstration plot) for the yield determination, this was demonstrated by using a miter tape, we used spray paint to mark the demarcations within which the measurements should be taken
These measurements are done to corn.

Plots information
Corn plot looks fine. It is clean and the ears have been filled very well. They are matured but not yet dried. Beans have already been harvested. They are in piles for sun drying but not yet threshed.

Comments
 The bean variety was changed from that of last year. It yields high however they still not sure with the market. They will see when they thresh and the buyers see them.
 The corn seed is good. It does not rot like that of last year. They like the variety.
 When asked how many use the techniques, they said most of them use the techniques but not all the techniques. The problem has been getting all the inputs especially recommended amount of fertilizers.

Conclusions
We asked them to take the yield measurements properly as recommended. They are very important for us all to know the progress of the demonstration plots and the effectiveness of the techniques taught.