Kidugala(Njombe) - Emmanuel, Iowa; CVP Report for Sept 29-2011

2010 CVP
CompanionVillage Project
6thVisit Year One
September 29, 2011

Village Kidugala
Pastor Wallence Lupenza
Companion Immanuel Lutheran, Iowa
Attendees 9
Weather for the past month Dry
Reporters Gabriel and Pongolani

Purposes of the visit
• To collect the yield measurement
• To deliver grain storage chemical “Shumba”
• 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.
Crop Corn Beans
Yield per ½ acres 10 bags 4 tins 8.5 tins
3. Storage
We instructed them 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 past farming season
They said they have noticed some issues regarding the demonstration plot this year and they are working on correcting them next growing season. There big trees that shade the plot, the plan is to pruning them. Moreover, the spacing was a little bit wider than recommended. They will improve that this year. The corn and bean seed will be delivery earlier so that there will be no late planting this year. The same corn and bean seeds which were used last year will be used this year.
5. Adaptation
Some have started practicing the techniques. Pastor and other members are planning to farm the same way we teach next growing season.

Comments/questions
 We want to try early planting; will it work in our environment?
We will try and see how the crops will perform. There is no problem with the early planting unless there is rodents or birds problem.
 We have a marketing problem. The market is not reliable and the prices are too low?
You can organize yourselves in groups and find buyers collectively. In groups you will have stronger bargaining power. Mover ever group might help you to transport your crops to the places were buyers are available. We cannot promise you much about this, however when we get market information we will be passing them to you

Conclusion -- The pastor and parish members are very committed. They are planning on making the program successful in their area. We thank and remind them to keep the good work.