Ugesa - Christ Luth, Marine on St.Croix-CVP Rpt - Dec 7-2011

2011CVP
Companion Village Project
1st Visit, Year One
December 7, 2011

Village Ugesa
Pastor Pascal Fyataga
Companion Christ Lutheran
Attendees 10
Weather for the past month Dry
Staff Rev. Mang’ulisa, Pongolani and Magnus Chaula (PCT)

This village has been visited twice. In the first visit corn demonstrations were conducted and in the second visit Pyrethrum demonstration were introduced.

FIRST DEMONSTRATRION MEETING

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

Topics
• Review of 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.

SECOND DEMONSTRATION MEETING

Purpose of the visit
Introduction of Pyrethrum demonstration program

• Pyrethrum demonstration
 People in Ugesa seem to be very committed to the agricultural demonstration program. Pastor insisted that he and his parish members will work hard to ensure the success of the program. They have been growing pyrethrum. They said they will be glad to learn more from the demonstration plot
 Field officer from PCT Mr. Magnus Chaula spoke about advantages of growing pyrethrum. He told villagers that when they start to grow 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 in January

Conclusion
In all the visits participants were very interested especially with the pyrethrum demonstration plots. They were told corn and beans will give them food to feed their families and pyrethrum will provide income to their families.