Pommern CVP Visit Report-May 7-2012

2012 CVP Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 2nd year May 07, 2012. Village Pommern parish Pastor Jane Chusi Companion Gethsemane Lutheran Attendees 03 Weather Cloudy and cold Reporters Rev. Mangu’lisa, Venance and Pongolani 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, tassels from plants within the 10m were removed to mark them for easy identification at the time of harvesting. Plots information Corn looks very good. It is properly spaced between lines; however some gaps were observed between plants. The corn plot was well weeded. A few corn plants were infected by a disease. The infected plants had a soft stem, wilted with droopy ears. The same disease symptoms were observed at Kilolo Parish plot. The disease is not yet known. I wonder if that could be resulting from population stress. The bean plot looks bad. The pods did not fill well. The spacing was not followed and the plot was full of weeds. As a result, very few bean plants were seen at maturing stage. Comments The Parishioners did a good job on the corn plot but did not perform well on the bean plot. The part of the field where beans were planted has notorious weeds which were to be thoroughly removed before planting. Since the plot selected for beans has notorious weeds, it was to be well prepared and all the weeds removed before planting. Conclusion Parishioners were advised to consider the situation of the land before making decision whether to do minimum tillage or cultivate deeply and remove weeds. New farms with notorious weeds such as couch grass (Digitaria spp.); weeds must be dug and removed before planting. Minimum tillage is to be done on land which has been under cultivation. They should continue weeding until nearly harvesting time.