Image Sec School-Augustana Luth-CVP Report for Aug 2-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
6th Visit Year One
July 27, 2011

Village Image sec school
Headmaster Andeck Ngogo
Companion Augustana Lutheran
Attendees About 30 form III students
Weather Dry
Reporters Gabriel & Rev. Mang’ulisa

Purposes of the visit
• To collect the yield measurements
• End of season discussion and planning for the next farming season

Topics
1. Review of the handouts
• 6th Visit instruction handout
• Yield recording sheet
2. Harvesting
Both corn and beans have been harvested. The yield in the demo plots are very poor in this site
Crop Corn
Yield per ½ acres 1 bags 2 tins
3. Storage
We instructed Students on how to store grain for home usage and for selling at the time of high price. We instructed how to mix grain storage pesticides “shumba” and the appropriate volume of grain per bottle recommended. We left the pesticides to them to mix with their harvested grains.
4. Discussion about the farming season
We discussed with the students on the causes of the failure of the demonstration plot. Reasons were unexpected shortage of rainfall, poor planting spacing and management. There have been some issues on management especially when students are in holidays. The plan was to find the way that will ensure proper and reliable management of the demonstration plot even if there are few or no students in the school.

Comments/questions
 What type of storage pesticides that is more effective?
Since we have started the program we have been using “shumba”. To the places where we have distributed, farmers have said it is working effectively. Just remember to follow the recommendation and do not use expired pesticides.
 Sometimes when fertilizers are used there is germination failure or plant dried. What is the reason?
Reason might be mixing of fertilizers and seeds at the time of planting or placing fertilizers too close when doing second application. Do not mix fertilizers and seeds and do not place fertilizers too close to the shoot of the plant. Fertilizers should be placed at least 5 cm from the seed or plant.
 What types of seeds are needed?
This depends with the weather of the particular area. Crop varieties have different characteristics depending with the prevailing climatic condition of the given area.
 What is the importance of the crop residues? Is it necessary to leave them on the farm?
Crop residues add organic matter in the soil, act as mulching to conserve moisture and return back some nutrients they contain when decompose. Yes, it is necessary to leave them without burning so as to improve the fertility of the soil

Conclusion
We told them that this is their first year. We expect better management and clear plan on how to take care of the plot next year. The success of the demonstration plot is highly depending on the management of both responsible teachers and students.