Bomalang'ombe Lutheran-Prince of Peace; CVP Report for Oct 28 & Nov 28-2011

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
3rd Visit Year Three
October 28 and Nov 28, 2011

Village Bomalang’ombe Parish
Pastor Lutango Tewele
Companion Prince of Peace, Roseville
Attendees 1st Meeting 9, 2nd Meeting 20
Weather for the past month Dry
Institute staff Gabriel, Rev. Mang’ulisa, Pongolani and John Hodler

This village has been visited twice. The first visit was on October 28 and the second was on November 24. In the first visit corn demonstrations were conducted and in the second visit Pyrethrum demonstration were introduced.

FIRST DEMONSTRATRION MEETING
Most of the church leaders and the some members have gone to Pommern for the religious gathering, thus there are few attendees.

Purpose of the visit
• Delivering seeds and fertilizers
• Demonstrating planting and fertilizer application

Topics
• Greetings
Before we began the demonstration, John delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and US Institute of Ag advisory committee
• Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
- 3rd Visit Instruction
- Plant population and Fertilizer applications
- Fertilizer needs template
• Demonstrations
o Planting and fertilizer applications
We demonstrated on how to plant seeds and how to apply fertilizers. We insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together.
o Seeds and fertilizers
The following were delivered
Seeds Fertilizers
Variety Amount (kg) Type Amount (bags)
H6303 8 NPK 2

o Corn rotting issue
We instructed them to plant two varieties in the demo plot: the improved variety and the local variety. It is know that the local variety do not rot as improved variety. For the case of improved variety (Hybrids), they should do late planting. Aim is to allow the crop to mature the same time the rain season ends. This might prevent or reduce the rooting incidents.

Questions/comments
 The corn improved varieties is not familiar in the market as the local variety
If we get another variety that suite your area we will introduce that to you. However it is better to plant improved variety than local variety because improved variety (Hybrids) yield higher than local variety.

SECOND DEMONSTRATION MEETING

Purpose of the visit
Introduction of Pyrethrum demonstration program

• Pyrethrum demonstration
Field officer from PCT Mr. Magnus Chaula spoke about advantages of growing pyrethrum. He assured the villagers that there is reliable market of pyrethrum. PCT will get into contracts with farmers to buy from them with a good price. A famer has to follow appropriate agronomic practices to get high quality flowers. He then instructed them about appropriate land preparation for growing pyrethrum. Thus villagers were instructed to prepare a plot for pyrethrum demonstration plot. Seedlings will be transplanted to this plot in the coming January

Conclusion
We told them that we will be back in January, we asked them to follow the instructions. They were very excited about the establishment of the pyrethrum demonstration plot. They promised to cooperate with PCT in establish the plot and follow all the instructions.