Mgama (St. Paul Lutheran) - CVP Visit Report for Oct 5-2011

2011CVP
Companion Village Project
2nd Visit, Year One
October 05, 2011

Village Mgama
Pastor Edward Mgeyekwa
Companion St. Paul Lutheran
Attendees 12
Weather for the past month Dry
Reporters Gabriel, Rev. Mang’ulisa and Pongolani

The church has no land close to the chapel. We drove for about one kilometer to get to the plot. We met parish members already in the plot. We conducted short meeting and demonstration at this area.

Purpose of the visit
• Measuring demonstration plots
• Delivering rain gauge

Topics
1. Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
• 2nd Visit Instructions
• Plot Management FAQs
2. Demonstrations
• Rain gauge
We told them we need to know the annual rainfall record of their area. We instructed them on how to record rain using a rain gauge. One set of rain gauge was handed to the them
• Plots
We went outside of the church and together we measured the 1acre plot using miter tape. We measured two ½ acres plots, one for corn and another one for beans.

Questions/ Comments from Audience
 Why should we leave the crop residues in the farm?
We instruct you to leave crop residues because later on they will decay and add organic matter and nutrients in the soil. However before they decay they act as mulching by retain water in the soil. Crop residues help to reduce soil erosion.
 We have a bean disease that lead into drying of the plants when they are about to flower, what is the solution?
That disease is probably cause by bean maggot. To control the bean maggot, spray pesticides 3-5days after germination to kill the flies that lay eggs in to the plants. The eggs turn into maggot later on and destroy the plant shoot.
 How are we going to control termites?
There are pesticides to control termites. When the problem is severe apply the pesticides to kill them.
Conclusions/Recommendations
It is important to use the same piece of land for the demonstration for all three years. We asked them to make sure that the land they got for the demonstration plots will be used for all three years. We told them to continue with preparation. We will deliver seeds and fertilizers Novembers.