Idegenda CVP Visit Report for Nov 30-2011

2011CVP
Companion Village Project & PCT
1st Visit, Year One
November 30, 2011

Village Idegenda
Pastor/Leader Peter Kikoti
Sponsorship Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania (PCT)
Attendees 31
Weather for the past month Dry
Staffs Magnus Chaula (PCT), Rev. Mang’ulisa and Pongolani

Institute of agriculture in partnership with Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania is going to establish an agricultural extension program that will teach farmers better agronomic practices. The program will include three crops; corn, beans and pyrethrum. Three demonstration plots will be established from which farmers will learn farming techniques. Today was an introductory meeting. Pastors have invited many villagers to come and attend the training. There were two village chairmen, One from Idegenda village and another one from Isanga village (a village close by Idegenda). In this meeting there were Teachers from the local primary schools and villagers from various religious denominations. The demonstrations were conducted close to the church and farmers gathered around to listen and participate.
Purpose
• Introduction of the program
Topics
• Demonstrations
o Pyrethrum
Field officer from PCT conducted 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.

Discussion
The farming season starts in August. At this time of the year corn and beans have to be planted. Therefore this year it won’t be possible to establish corn and beans demonstration plots because it is December now and the planting time has already passed. Villagers, institute staffs and PCT field officer discussed and agree that this village will have one demonstration plot, which is pyrethrum. Corn and bean plots will be established next farming season

Conclusion
Villagers seems to be very interested with the program. They said they will learn from the demonstration plots and apply the knowledge to their farms. We hope they will do in accordance with their promises.