2010 CVP
1st Visit, Year One
March 25, 2010
School Ipalamwa Secondary School
Headmaster Leuterius Mheni
Companion Raquet Family Foundation, Mound
Attendees About 200 students
Elevation 1667m
Weather Very long rain season (Nov – Aug)
Reporters Gabriel, Ibrahim, Roger and Rev. Lunodzo
In this visit we were accompanied by people of Bega Kwa Bega (Shoulder to shoulder). They were going to meet with the sponsored students. We drove on pieces of very rough road. We met very cheerful students who received us with songs and dancing around our car. We had a general assembly; Rev. Lunodzo Mang’ulisa introduced us to the students and members of the stuff. Students prepared couple of songs for us. After the general assembly, we met with the headmaster in his office. We started our meeting with students who were gathered in one classroom.
Purpose of the visit
• Introducing the CV project to the congregation
• Taking the soil samples for soil analysis
• To deliver box file and a hand hoe
Topics
1. Handouts
The handouts were distributed to all then reviewed
• CVP Plot record of events
• DIRA – Institute of agriculture agreement
• Chronological Plot Management of Crops Planted in November/December 2010
• CVP Instruction – 1st Visit
2. Agricultural background
We asked students about agriculture in this area. They said crops which are cultivated here are Corn, beans, peas, wheat and potatoes. The corn seeds used are improved varieties; Hybrids (H625, H6302, H628 and H627). Farmers use fertilizers such as DAP and CAN. Only one fertilizer application is done. Yields are 6-10 bags/acre for corn and 2-4½ bags/acre.
3. Soil sampling
After the meeting in the classroom we went outside. Together with about 10 students, we took soil samples from 4 points in the school farm, a place where the demonstration plot is expected to be. Two types of samples were taken, from 6 inches depth and 12 inches depth. The samples will be taken to the laboratory for soil analysis
Comments/questions from audience
• The Assistant Headmaster asked how big they can farm.
We told them that they can farm as big an area as the school can support and use the techniques we teach, however the institute of Agriculture will support 1 acre because that is the agreement between the institute and their companion congregation.
• How can the Institute help them?
We are going to help them by providing modern farming demonstrations in the demonstration plot. We shall offer consultancy in other agricultural activities they are going to do.
• When is the demonstration plot going to be established?
The demonstration plot will be established this year. We take the soil samples this March; we will come back to measure with them the plot in August. The crops are going to be planted in November or December, 2010 depending on the weather condition (This has been discussed in Chronological Plot Management of Crops Planted in November/December 2010 handout).
• Why are we not encouraging local varieties?
We do not encourage local varieties because they do not have characteristics such as high yield and diseases resistance like improved ones.
• Improved corn varieties are easily damaged when stored after harvesting
If one follows proper recommendations of corn storage, he/she will prevent corn damage by insects
• They have long rain season, with just short period of sunny days, how effective will the “monthly weeding” be?
Monthly weeding helps to suppress weeds. By doing monthly weeding, the weeds do not go to seed and this will help control the number of weeds in the farm.
Conclusions
We left the school telling them that we shall come back with more demonstrations in our next visit. We asked the students to be attentive and learn.
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