Mwatasi

2008 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
4th visit Year Two
January 20, 2010


Village Mwatasi
Pastor Elias Kadinda
Companion Trinity, Stillwater
Attendees 18
Weather for the past month Rainy then Dry for couple of days
Reporters Gabriel, Alfred

Is this visit we were accompanied by the District Pastor of this area Rev. Inubi Sanga. He asked us to take him so that he may participate in the demonstration and learn more about the project.

Purpose of the visit
• Bean planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• Bean seeds, fertilizers and Pesticides delivery
Topics
1. Corn plot and Rain records
Corn Seed variety planted H 614
Planting date November 18, 2009
Replanting date November 27, 2009
First weeding January 08, 2010
Pests/Diseases Rodents, Armyworms
We checked the rain records in the box file. The records have been written down as it was instructed
2. Review of Handouts
o Bean seeds and fertilizer information was added in the Fertilizer need template in the box file of the congregation
o 4th visit handout was reviewed
3. Demonstrations
I. Beans
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (30cm) and intra row spacing (10cm). String was used to make trench and in the trench bean seeds were placed 10cm apart. Fertilizer was placed 5cm from the seeds. Both seeds and fertilizer were covered.
II. Corn
It was demonstrated how to make second application of fertilizer in the corn. Two holes were made 5cm from the plant and fertilizer was put then covered. We told them to do this when the plants are knee high.
III. Pesticides
Pastor told us that they bought pesticides (Thionex) by their own and applied to the field to control the cutworm. We gave them a bottle of Thionex to add to what the already have.

4. Fertilizers, bean seed and pesticides delivery
The congregation was given 2 bags of NPK for bean and 2 bags of CAN for corn. The bean seed variety delivered is known as “Uyole 96” (30kg). We also gave them 1 bottle of Thionex pesticide.

Comments/questions from audience
 Pastor told us there was a rodent problem at the time of replanting and most of the seeds planted at this time were eaten by the rodents.
We told them we would like that whenever there is disease or pests’ outbreak they inform us immediately. In case of rodent problem, if they would have told us we could help them to control the rodent. However rodents can be controlled by monthly weeding as we instructed in our first visit.
 Pastor said he is thinking of moving the plot a little bit far from nearby the church and neighborhood next year because there are people in that neighborhood who keep hogs and the piglets sneak out of the pig house and destroy crops especially corn
We told him the reason we want the plots to be near by the church is that we want them to be easily accessible with all members when they attend Sunday services. We told him to do all he can to control the piglets problem by talking with the owners because we love to see that plot in it’s the same location next year.
 The district Pastor insisted on the importance of practicing what they learn from the demonstration plots. He asked his members to use effectively what they learn and apply the techniques to their own farms because this will enable them to get high yields.

Conclusions/Recommendations
In the corn plot, the plants look nice. However the failure of replanted seeds to germinate was seen. I told them that this will significantly reduce yields to the plot. I insisted on the importance of following closely our instructions. At the end of the meeting we asked them few questions as a review of our demonstration. Four including Pastor said they have started to use the techniques on their farms. Pastor said he was not aware of most of the techniques before he moved here. However since he has started to use them, he has been able to save time in tillage and the plants look real nice.

NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of CAN is 50kg