Mlafu-CVP Visit Report-Apr 27-2012

Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 2nd year April 27, 2012. Village Mlafu Pastor Daison Mpesa Companion Our Saviour’s Stillwater Attendees 12 Weather Dry Reporters Don, Rev. Mangu’lisa, Venance and Pongolani Purpose of the visit • To explain and demonstrate how to take yield measurement Topics 1. Went through the handouts o 5th Visit handout o Yield recording sheet 2. Demonstrations We demonstrated how to measure the 10 m row (in three different locations within the demonstration plot) for the yield determination, this was demonstrated by using a tape measure, we used spray paint to mark the demarcations within which the measurements should be taken. Plots information Their corn plot looks well. It was mature but not yet dry. It will take another month to become completely dry for harvesting. The space between lines was maintained at 60cm but somewhat wider than 20cm between plants. Some plants were lodged. According to the Parishioners, the lodging was probably caused by strong wind which blew sometime after ear formation, but could be caused by weak stem too. The bean plot looked very good; plants were in lines at proper spacing. Bean plants were forming pods. There was no any sign of disease, neither was there any sign of insect damage. Comments This is another Parish with a hard working team. However, this year’s yield may not be as good as last year’s because of the effect of the dry spell which happened in February after the second application of fertilizer. The spell resulted in the formation of small ears in corn. Good beans yield is expected. Conclusion Parishioners were encouraged to maintain their unity and the hard working spirit they have. We were interested to know how many were practice the taught methods in their own pots. Out of 12, 4 said they were practicing with limitations on the amount of fertilizer applied, wider spacing to cope with the little amount of fertilizer they have and tedious to make holes.