Ifunda-CVP Visit Report May 4-2012

2012 CVP Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 3rd Year May 4, 2012. Village Ifunda parish Pastor Irene Msalilwa Companion House of Prayer Lutheran Attendees 5 Weather Cloudy and moist Reporters Don, Karen, Rev Mangu’lisa and Venance Purpose of the visit • To explain and demonstrate how to take yield measurement Topics 1. Went through the handouts o 5th Visit handout o Yield recording sheet 2. Demonstrations We demonstrated how to measure the 10 m row (in three different locations within the demonstration plot) for the yield determination; this was demonstrated by using a tape measure, and the spray paint to mark the demarcations within which number of corn ears and yield information should be obtained. Plots information Corn does not look very good. The space between lines and between plants is much wider than the recommended; corn plants had small ears. A few corn plants were affected by a disease to be investigated. The ears were dropping and the stems’ inner tissue was soft and black, a condition which made some affected plants to fall down. A neighboring plot belonging to a villager had a better crop than the demonstration plot. When we asked about the history of the neighbor’s plot, the Parishioners said he applied Farm Yard Manure (FYM) for many years. They harvested 3 bucketful of bean seed (nearly 60kg) which is a very low production. Comments The soil from which the crops are grown appeared to be shallow, sub soil without any trace of organic horizon. Such soil is usually low in plant nutrient sources and do not favor abundance of microbial activity which nourishes the soil with nutrients. We assume the nature of the soil is the major limiting factor for low productivity because agricultural practices such as crop spacing fertilization and weeding were followed properly. It will take time and great effort to build up the soil to make it ideal for high production of crops. Conclusion We advised parishioners to leave crop residues on the soil after harvesting, try deep plowing with oxen and add as much Farm Yard Manure as they can into the soil. The disease affecting the cobs and the stems is not yet known. Investigation to know the disease continues. Edson Nziku, a church member had adapted the planting spacing on beans and we went to observe his plot, it was performing very well (picture included). We advised other members of the church to follow the example.