Idegenda - Pyrethrum Co of Tanzania - CVP Visit Report - June 25-2013

TUMAINI UNIVERSITY – IRINGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE ompanion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 2nd year June 25, 2013. Village Idegenda Parish Pastor Peter Kikoti Companion The Pyrethrum Company of Tanzania Attendees 10 Weather Dry and cold Reporters Gabriel and Venance We arrived late in the afternoon after teaching and a hard drive from Ilogombe; still we met a good number of attendees at Idegenda waiting to have the lesson. 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, counting & recording the corn plants and ears and marking the lines by breaking the tassels of corn. 3. Crop storage We instructed the villagers on how to store the crops. The advantages of storing crops for long give a farmer a change to sell that crop when the price is high enough and also ensure food security in the household 4. Marketing We reminded them that this is the time that they should start to explore various marketing options. It's important they seek market information so as to keep up to date with the crop prices Plots information This parish has plots of corn, beans and pyrethrum. Unfortunately we arrived there late and we did not get enough time to visit their plots. We depended much on the information we got from the parish members who said all the plots were doling well. Comments The parishioners asked many questions about agrochemicals use and persistence. Some of the important questions include: Question: How to mix the shumba pesticide that we gave them. Solution: We demonstrated how to mix shumba pesticide with the shelled corn for storage and showed how it can be dusted on crop stored in cobs. Question: How long can the pesticide keep the crop out of pests? Answer: Reading the instructions on the pesticide container showed that the pesticide can keep the grain for at least 12 months. We advised farmers to read instructions whenever they get agrochemicals and take care of the precautions. Conclusion The parishioners seemed attentive and eager of learning of more methods of farming.