Bomalang'ombe Parish - CVP Visit of Nov 3-09

2009 CVP
3rd visit, November 3rd, 2009 YEAR ONE

Village Bomalan’gombe Parish
Pastor Lutango Tewele
Companion Prince of Peace
Attendees
Weather for the past month
Reporters
28; 17 female, 11 male ( Including two pastors and Internship pastor from Tumaini University)
Sunny and dry
Ibrahim Wikedzi and Fred Bergsrud

We started the meeting with 27 people and they told us we could have more people but there was a funeral going on in their neighborhood. Two pastors were there, one got a transfer from Mwatasi where we had a 2008-CVP plot. She was very useful for the meeting.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
• To deliver a rain gauge
Topics
1. Greetings
Fred gave greetings from Saint Paul Area Synod, Prince of Peace and US Advisory Committee
2. Review of Handouts
o Fertilizer needs template was filled and left to the box file of the congregation
o Plant population handout was reviewed
o Fertilizer application handout was reviewed
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was put after every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed on each side. We teach them about crop rotation and its importance.

4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area the fertilizer recommended is NPK (10-18-24). The congregation was given 2 NPK bags. They were told to apply this fertilizer at the time of planting, and we recommended corn variety H 6303 and which will be shipped later to them.


Comments/questions from audience
 They asked if the second fertilizer CAN/UREA applied at knee high or 60 days will be still available up to corn maturity?
We told them, the fertilizer will be still available up to maturity stage, as long as they prevent it from being washed by rain by leaving crop residue i.e. organic matter in the field and also proper fertilizer application.

 They asked when the corn stalks will rot in the field when left without burning.
We told them, it takes about 2- 3 months to decompose completely, we explained with reference to what happened in the 2008-CVP plots.

 They asked should they mix CAN and UREA and apply as a second application.
We recommended them not to mix rather apply it separately and in most cases only one kind will be recommended to be used.

 They asked how we place fertilizer 5 cm on each side of the seed.
We explained that we will demonstrate outside after teaching, so when we got outside we demonstrated and they understood.

 They asked what is 46% and 27% in UREA and CAN respectively?
We told them that number indicates the total Nitrogen available in a 50 Kg bag.

 They have been using TSP, for planting Corn and NPK for Beans and using CAN and UREA for second fertilizer application. What is wrong with doing that?
 We told them based on soil analysis that we conducted, there was a deficiency of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium but using TSP will only provide Phosphorus, so we recommended them to use NPK which will be the best choice. Using NPK for planting beans is correct and that is what we recommend.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We highly recommended them to follow all agronomic practices we are and will be teaching them, and they will see success in their crop production, we referred to other CVP’s like Kilolo, Nduli etc. which harvested 11 bags and 3 tins and 9.5 bags of shelled corn from half acre plot respectively.