Lukani CVP Visit Report - May 18-2012

Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 1st year May 18, 2012. Village Lukani Parish Pastor Nejabeli Madembo Companion St. Stephen the Martyr Lutheran Church Attendees 12 Weather Warm and clear Reporters 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, tassels from plants within the 10m were removed to mark them for easy identification at the time of harvesting. Plots information The corn plot looked average; the ears were small. The rows and plants were well spaced and weeded. According to the parishioners, the dry spell which happened in February – March adversely affected the crop stand. The beans were well planted in rows and were just beginning to flower. Beans were planted late in the season; therefore, the yield expected will be below average. Comments The parishioners seem to be hard workers and are interested in learning the farming methods taught. They asked interesting questions about good farming methods. There was a neighboring plot which performed better than the demonstration plot which they used to compare its performance with the CVP plot and asked many question on the differences. The major difference came from the seed variety used in the two plots. The neighboring plot was planted with the local seed. Conclusion The parishioners are interested with the farming methods taught at the demonstration plot. A few of them acknowledged using the methods in their own plots although the major challenge is the quantity of fertilizer which they can’t afford to purchase because the price is high. We encouraged them to practice all the other methods taught such as weeding, leaving crop residue etc. and altering the spacing depending on the amount fertilizer available following the chart provided to them by the Institute of Agriculture.