Mlowa - Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN

2009 CVP
2nd visit, October 2, 2009

Village
Mlowa
Pastor
Lunogelo Mbwillo
Companion
Christus Victor , Apple valley
Attendees
15

This is the dry area, located on the road to Ruaha National Park.
Review
After an introduction, meeting started with the quick review of the handouts:
· DIRA – Institute of agriculture agreement
· CVP plot management FAQs
· CVP Plot record of events
Demonstrations:
· It was demonstrated how to measure an acre using actual length measurements (63.5m by 63.5m) instead of using pacing (70 by 70)
· The Rain gauge and a recording sheet were given to congregation. Instruction on how to use was given too. They were wondering where to place the rain gauge because farms are out of the village and sometimes one part of the village receives rain, the other do not and vice verse. They were told that an average of the rain the village receives will not make big difference from one part to another.
The plot is in a river valley located about 2 km from the church in the farming area. There are some irrigated plots (Irrigation uses hoe-made ditches and is done by hand). The parish bought the plot last March. The pastor cultivated beans last season. They have 3835m2 but that is all they have. As we were measuring the plot, the group grew. Farmers who were in that area joined us. A neighbor (who sold part of his plot to the parish) sought an advice on how to improve his yield. He was told not to burn the crop residues. Moreover he should use the fertilizers recommendations from the soil analysis of that area. However Ibrahim taught him how to determine soil fertility by observing the plant appearance and type of vegetation on the area. Hi was invited to the meeting in the next visit.