Ilambilole CVP Visit Report - May 25-2012

2008CVP Companion Village Project 5th Visit Year, Four May 25, 2012 Village Ilambilole Pastor Meshack Magova Companion Our Saviors, Hastings Attendees 12 Weather for the past month Dry Reporters Gabriel, Don and Karen In this visit we were accompanied by Mr. Msonde Maigwa, a YARA Sales Agronomist. YARA is the fertilizers selling company in Tanzania. The company has made fertilizers formulation specific for Tanzania regions and is now trying to introduce to the Iringa market. Mr. Msonde was visiting the demonstration plots. We were also accompanied by Ms Itiweni Luhwago of the Microfinance Institute – Tumaini University. Purpose of the visit • Demonstrating on how to take yield measurements Topics 1. Greetings Don delivered greetings on behalf of Our Saviors - Hastings, Saint Paul Area Synod and US Ag Advisory Committee 2. Review of the handouts o 5th Visit handout o Yield recording sheet 3. Demonstrations It was demonstrated on how to measure the 10 m row (in three different locations within the demonstration plot and neighbors farm), this was demonstrated by using a 10 m string. Farmers were instructed to count the number of corn plants and ears. Yield recording sheets were provided. Plots information • This village has been hit badly by drought. At the beginning of the growing season, the crops were looking very well and the progress indicated that high yields will be obtained from the demo plots and other villagers’ farms. In the mid of the growing season rain stopped for long time; filling stage of the corn was highly affected and beans dried • Corn is still in the field. Low yield will be obtained this year • Beans suffered poor germination and drought; this lead into crop failure. Questions/ comments from audience  Parish members said that they are looking for the way to copy with the drought which has been affecting their areas frequently. They asked if drilling wells and use for irrigation is possible We told them, if the water table is close and water from underground is not contaminated with minerals and salts, they can get irrigated water by wells. However the technique requires carefully surveys and is very expensive. We advised them to start thinking about more drought tolerant crops. Conclusion We told them we are very sorry for the drought and the bean crop failure. We are working on getting more drought resistant crops and varieties to introduce to their village so that they may copy with the drought situation which has now becoming common in their area.