Mgama - St. Paul Luth - CVP Visit Report - May 20-2013

TUMAINI UNIVERSITY – IRINGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 2nd year May 20, 2013. Village Mgama Pastor Edward Mgeyekwa Companion St. Paul Lutheran Church Attendees 07 Weather Dry and cold Reporters Gabriel and Venance Introduction We arrived at Mgama in the morning and met an audience of seven members of the church women and men waiting to receive 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 chance to sell that crop when the price is high enough and also ensure food security in the household. We also asked them if they thought there was a need for grain storage silo in their village. 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 Corn was mature moving towards drying stage. The crop stand looked well. The parishioners were enthusiastic with their crop and said they received many questions from other village members and passersby who wanted to know what type of seed they had planted and what they did to make their crop look so well. Beans were harvested but not yet threshed. Comments Pastor Nixon advised the attendees to learn every step of the learning process seriously so that they can achieve the targets. Conclusion The parishioners seemed eager to learn more of the modern farming practices and we hope they will perform well. They liked the idea of having a grain storage silo in the parish. They promised to discuss about it and give answer to us later on.