Lulanzi Parish CVP Visit of Nov 5-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
3rd visit Year One
November 05, 2009


Village Lulanzi
Pastor Yohana Chengula
Companion Christ Lutheran, Lake Elmo
Attendees 16 (3 Women, 13 Men)
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima and Phil Larsen


This congregation told us they want a corn variety which weighed more after harvesting. We decided the variety H 6303 will be suitable for them. We did not get the seed from the shop today. We were told the shipping truck has not yet arrived in Iringa.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil delivered greetings from Christ Lutheran (Lake Elmo), the Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
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 placed every 20 cm and a bottle capful of fertilizer was placed 5 cm. away on each side of the seed.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizer recommended is NPK (10-18-24) for planting. The congregation was given 2 bags of NPK . We agreed that the 4 bags of seeds (H 6303) will be sent to Lulanzi using the local bus that makes trips to Lulanzi.




Comments/questions from audience
 They asked what to do with any fertilizer that might remain after they have applied the bottle capfuls of fertilizer to all the seed.
We told them to get a good yield, it was recommended that they should use specific amount of fertilizers in a specific area. The remains in the fertilizers bag should be spread uniformly to the same area to make up the recommended amount.
 They asked that since the landscape in their village is mountainous, that is there are hills and valleys and since the soil samples were taken from one place, is it possible that the soil differs from one place to another and the results we have from soil analysis do represent all parts of the village land.
We told them that yes, there is possibility of having different soils in different part of the village; however the differences will not be so big that they cannot use the fertilizer recommendations.
 They said they usually plant Irish potatoes in between corn so that to have diversification and hence when one crop fails, they are able to harvest the other. They were wondering how are they going to handle that
We told them that two crops at a time will be competing with each other leading to poor yield. The instructions we are giving take into account the utilization of the whole rainy season that they may harvest from the crop they plant.
 They asked Phil that they have been hearing that in USA people farm big areas at once, what principles do they follow?
Phil told them that it’s true people in USA farm big area using big machines and improved seeds. However principles are the same to what we have been teaching them i.e. spacing, fertilizers applications, agronomic practices etc.
 Some said they have already burned their crop residues, what should they do?
We told them they can start building up their soil by not burning again in the next farming seasons.
 Phil asked them if they have access to loans and their willingness to acquire the loans
They said there is a SACCOS operating in the village however they face the following problems
i) They do not have enough information on how to acquire the loans
ii) They loans require collateral which most of them do not have.
iii) Their payment period is very short; they are required to start paying the loans before even starting harvesting.
 Phil asked them if their congregation is given money to start up a loan program, how would they will manage it.
They said yes, they could manage it
However Phil told them, some of congregations have been given money to start up a loan program but there have been problems in getting back the money. He wanted to know what different approach they are going to use
They said they are like one family, they know each other so it’s easy for them to make a follow up.
i) They would form a committee to make follow up to individuals to find out what they borrow the money for and how they would spend the money.
ii) They don’t know exactly what they need now but they said if they can get a loan to farm ½ acre each using the practices we teach them ( to cover up fertilizer and Seeds cost) that will be good initial point
iii) 4-5 months will be the proper duration for a loan.

Conclusions/Recommendations
They made a request that if possible we should be with them the day they plant since this is the first year for them and they want to follow all the instructions. We told them we have a very tight schedule, we do not see the possibility of being there that day. However they can call us whenever they have a problem concerning the plot.


NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg