Pommern-Gethsemane Luth., Maplewood; CVP Report for Oct 29-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
3rd Visit, Year One
October 29, 2010

Village Pommern
Pastor Jenro Kivamba
Companion GETHSEMANE LUTH. CHURCH
Attendees Male 11 Female 11
Weather for the past month Dry
Ag Institute Staff Gabriel and Phil

Purpose of the visit
• Delivering seeds and fertilizers
• Demonstrating corn planting and fertilizer applications

We met the district Pastor and the Parish Pastor of Pommern. We conducted the meeting in one of their office and then we walked to the plot for demonstrations.
Greetings
Before we began the demonstration, Fred delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and US Institute of Ag advisory committee
Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
 3rd Visit Instruction
• Plant population with 60 cm. rows and Fertilizer applications
• Fertilizer needs template

Demonstrations
o Planting and fertilizer applications
We walked to their plot behind the Pastor’s house. We demonstrated on how to place seeds and how to apply fertilizers. We insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together. There should be at least 5cm apart.
o Seeds and fertilizers
We delivered 2 bags of NPK and 4 bags of corn seeds
Crop Seeds Fertilizer
Varieties Amount Type Amount
Corn H628 8kg (4bags) NPK 10-18-24 100kg (2 bags)

Questions/comments from the audience
 They said sometimes they mix Urea and can for the second application
We told them they should not mix because the amount of N we have recommended is based on usage of one type only of fertilizer between the two.
 How are they going to know the fertility of their soil?
We took the soil samples for soil analysis, we know the fertility of the soil and we give fertilizer recommendations according to the nutrients required.
 When is appropriate to do the second application? Why is it recommended to cover the fertilizers after apply?
Do the second application of fertilizers when the plants are at knee high and cover the fertilizers to prevent the loss of N (N is volatile)
 Why is it recommended to use other fertilizers together with Minjingu phosphates?
Minjingu phosphates have P only. Farmers who are using Minjingu Phosphates are advised to use other fertilizers too to supply P and K.

Conclusion
We left Pommern to Kitowo. We encouraged them to work hard and follow the instructions. The demonstration plot should be used as a learning tool to their society. We told them we will be back in January.