Ifuwa - Lord of Life

TUMAINI UNIVERSITY – IRINGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 3rd year June 12, 2013. Village Ifuwa Parish Pastor Gervas Nziku Companion Lord of Life Lutheran Attendees 03 adults and 7 children Weather Dry and cool Reporters Gabriel, Rev. Mangu’lisa, and Venance Introduction It was sad to see scanty corn crop in a greater part of Ifuwa and the neighboring villages. This part of the region had insufficient rain and when we visited last time we saw corn plants wilting. Surprisingly, the situation was quite different at Kidilo, the preaching point of Ifuwa situated at the top of the mountain where the CVP plot is, the crops had done quite well. 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 chance to sell that crop when the price is high enough and also ensure food security in the household Plots information Corn was harvested and stored in the church but unshelled. The crop looked well; a few parishioners and the pastor including surrounding children were very happy of their bumper harvest. The bean crop was dry still in the field not yet harvested. The crop looked scanty despite the good spacing which was properly followed. Many plants died during the growing process, it is likely that the rain stopped before grain filling. Questions/Comments The parishioners comment was that the corn and bean seed provided to them was good We advised them to harvest the beans quickly because dry pods were splitting open and bean seeds were dropping onto the ground. Conclusion They have done a great job and they are happy of it. They look forward to do more of it next season.