Ihemi - CVP Visit Report - Nov 6-2012

2008 CVP Companion Village Project, PCT and YARA 1st Extension Visit Year One November 6, 2012 Village Ihemi Coordinates S 08o01.089’ E 035o29.659’ Pastors Anania Kadege Companion Christiania Lutheran, Lakeville Attendees 14 Weather for the past month Dry Reporters Gabriel, Phil and Happy Purpose of the visit Extension Education; Fertilizers and Seed Introduction The demonstration meeting was conducted in the church. Phil delivered greetings Christiania Lutheran, Lakeville and US advaisory comettee. Happy (an intern from Tumaini University) gave a presentation about entreprenaureship. Review of the handout We went through the extension network handout about seeds and fertilizers Training The training was divided into two parts: Fertilizers and seeds. The discussions were conducted in the church. Farmers had many questions and the discussion was very good. Comments/questions • What is difference between Urea and CAN? CAN and Urea are both nitrogenous fertilizers, they add N to the soil. The difference between CAN and Urea is nitrogen content. Urea has high nitrogen content than CAN, however CAN has Calcium that is missing n Urea. All of this are fertilizers for the second application. • Some people mix CAN and Urea. Is that good practice? CAN and Urea are both nitrogenous fertilizers, they add N to the soil. Mixing is not bad practices however, since both are nitrogenous fertilizers, we recommend the use of one of this. Consider the price of the fertilizers when purchasing them. • We beliave that soil s destroyed by fertilizers, is that true? Fertilizers are not dangerous nor are they harmful to the soil. Fertilizers such as urea, CAN, DAP, potash, or all the various blended/mixed fertilizers are beneficial to the soil and especially to the plants/crops that grow in these soils. So, fertilizer is not bad for you, the soil, and the crops. However, we want to apply these fertilizers in a cost-effective manner such that we are not applying too much of one nutrient and not enough of another nutrient. • Crop residues cause attract rats in the farm? Sometimes crop residues can act as habitat for rodents and insects. There are pesticieds that can be used to control this. The benefits of leaving crop residues are far greater than the assumed benefits of burning them. • In my farm I put fertilizers as normal but I still get short plants and poor yields. What is wrong? The problem may be a type of seeds you use. You said you got the seeds from another region, the seeds might not be suitable to this place. Try to change the seeds this year and observe the performance. • I bought the hybrid seeds from the shop. I planted them for years now. The yields have been declining. What is wrong? For the hybrid varieties, it is advised not to repeat the seeds. These are type of varieties that their high yield or disease resistant characters disappear as you repeat planting them. You are advised o use hybrid seeds only only once Demonstration This village is one of the village that they will have demonstration plot sponsored by YARA fertilizers’ company. Th company has offered the fertilizers and the institute is offering corn and bean seeds. We demonstrated on how to plant and apply fertilizers. They participated in the demonstration as few of them were left to try and show others. Seeds and fertilizers The following were delivered Corn Seeds Fertilizers Variety Amount (kg) Type Amount (bags) H625 8 NPK 4 Conclusion We asked them them what they want to learn/dicuss in the next extension meeting. Most f them suggested plant pest and diseases and livestock keeping. We told them we will be back in January/February for another demonstation and extension meeting. Bean seeds will be delivered at the same time.