Ifunda - House of Prayer - CVP Visit Report - May 15-2013

2010 CVP Companion Village Project 5th Visit Year Three May 15, 2013 Village Ifunda Pastor Elay Mwinuka Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale Attendees 10 Weather for the past month Dry Institute staff Gabriel and Venace Today we visited two villages, Kitasengwa and Ifunda. We met the parish members and other villagers waiting for us at he Ifunda church. The demonstration meeting took place using the near by corn and bean plots. Purpose of the visit • Demonstrating on how to take yield measurements Topics 1. Review of the handouts o 5th Visit handout o Yield recording sheet 2. Demonstrations We demonstrated on to take the yield measurements. We instructed them to measure 10 m rows from which the plants and ears will be counted. Then the process should be repeated to the bean plot. The same thing should be done to collect the yields from the neighbour’s plots for comparison with the demonstration plot. 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 Questions/Comments from participants  Pastor deliver thanks to the nstitute and to the companion congregation for sponsoring the demonstration plot. He said that the plot has helped them to learn new techniques and also they have used it as for testing various seed varieties  There many types of fertilizers, what should we use here? There is no definite answer for this. In fertilizers we look at the type of nutrients contained and the fertility of soil we are going to use that fertilizer. According to the soil analysis we did here we recommend high application of N,P and K , that is why we use NPK to the demonstration plots. We advise you o use that fertilizers in your farms too.  What if I use Urea for the second application? Urea is also good fertilizer for second application. It has N that is highly needed at the time the plants are at knee high. You may use Urea for the second application Conclusion We told them than we will come back on August for another demonstration meeting and to collect the yield menasurements. The evaluation for the performance of the demonstation plots will be done at that time of the year.

Ifunda CVP Visit Report - Jan 27, 2013

2010 CVP Companion Village Project 4th Visit Year Three January 27, 2013 Village Ifunda Pastor Elay Mwinuka Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale Attendees 28 Weather for the past month Rainny Institute staff Gabriel, Roger and Rev. Mang’ulisa We drove for about 2 km to the preaching point of Ifunda called Ifunda shuleni were the plot is located. Pastor led us with the motorcycle. It is located in the Ifunda secondary school area. After seen the plot we drove back to the parish for the demonstration meeting. Topics 1. Greetings Roger delivered greetings from House of Prayer, Oakdale and US Institute of Agriculture Advisory Committee 2. Review of the handouts  4th visit instructions • Discussion about germination, Replanting and Pest • Weeding after planting • Second fertilizers application 3. Demonstrations We demonstrated ways to apply fertilizers in corn as the second application. Farmers participated in apply fertilizers in their demonstration plots. Insecticide Application. We delivered a bottle of pesticides and reminded them on the ratios to be used to apply the fields. 4. Delivery. We delivered fertilizers and insecticides Item Fertilizers for Corn Pesticides Variety/Type NPK Thionex Amount 2Bag 1 bottle Demonstration plots The corn plot has been ploughed and planted. It was planted on December 24, 20012. Spacing is good and plants look good. There were signs of insects damaging the plants. We instructed Pastor to spay the pesticides and organize for the fertilizer secon application. Bean has not been planted yet. Questions/Comments from Audience  Why bean flies come to the beans They might be following food or they are using the plants as habitat. The important thing is to control the flies as soon as possible because the flies can be vector of micro-organisms that course diseases or can destroy the plants directly causing what is known as bean ‘maggot’ disease.  What is the good fertilizer for the second application Most of the nitrogenous fertilizers are good for the secon application. However in the demonstration plots we will use NPK with high content of nitrogen. We beleave this fertilizers will help the plants to grow faster and healthy.  Sometimes beans become yellow, why? This might be a disease symptom or and indication that plants lack nitrogen nutrient. It is advised to use fertilizers when you plant to supply required nutrients to the plants  Can NPK be used in rice? Yes, NPK know as Cereal is the fertilizer made special for all type of cereals including rice. You can apply that NPK to the rice fields. Conclusion We demonstrated the fertilizer application in front of the Pastor’s house. We encouraged them to adopt the techniques and use in their own farms. We will be back in May for another demonstration meeting.

Ifunda CVP Visit Report - Nov 19-2012

2012 Companion Village Project 3rd Visit, Year Three November 19, 2012 Village Ifunda Pastor Elay Abraham Mwinuka Companion House of Prayer Lutheran Attendees 04 Weather for the past month Dry and warm Reporters Location Gabriel , Happy, Rev. Mang’ulisa, Pongolan, and Venance Altitude:1681m above sea level 08002.711S 035028.013E Inroduction Ifunda Parish has been looking for a better site for the CVP, unfortunately has not yet secured any ideal site to date. The land around has a hard pan underneath the soil surface, therefore unsuitable for growing annual crops. Upon arrival, we met only four members of the church waiting to begin the demonstrations. Purpose of the visit • Delivering seeds and fertilizers • Demonstrating planting and fertilizer application Topics covered • Review of the handouts - 3rd Visit Instruction - Plant population and Fertilizer applications • Demonstrations Planting and fertilizer applications; It was demonstrated on how to plant seeds and how to apply fertilizers. It was insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together. Seeds and fertilizers The following seeds and fertilizers were delivered: Item Corn Beans Fertilizers for corn Fertilizers for beans Variety H 625 Uyole Njano NPK cereal NPK winner Amount 4bags 27 kg 2bags 2 bags In addition to the inputs listed above, they were given a half liter of thionex pesticide for insect pest’s control. Comments/Questions The parishioners were undecided about the CVP site whether to move it to a place with better soils or continue to work at the current site where soils are shallow and lack organic matter. Conclusion: They were advised to move the CVP to a preaching point called Muhimbi where the soils are thought to be better. We hope the shift will work for the betterment of the CVP.

Ifunda - CVP Visit Report - Aug 27-2012

2010 CVP Companion Village Project 6th Visit Year Two August 27, 2012 Village Ifunda Pastor Irene Msalilwa Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale Attendees 07 Weather for the past month Dry Institute staff Gabriel and Pastor Mang’ulisa We met the new Pastor, Rev. Irene Msalilwa. The other Pastor has been moved to another Parish. We went to the preaching point were the plots are located to see the crops then we came back to the parish. There were 6 evangelists waiting for us. We conducted a meeting in the church office. Purposes • To collect the yield measurement • To deliver grain storage chemical “Shumba” • End of season discussion and planning for the next farming season Topics: 1. Review of the handouts • 6th Visit instruction handout • Yield recording sheet 2. Harvesting Both corn and beans have already been harvested Crop Corn Beans Yield per ½ acres 4 bags* 2 tins 3 tins *1 bag = 7 tins (plastics) 3. Storage: We had short discussion on crop storage and marketing. We trained them on marketing of the food crops. Food crops should be stored for domestic uses and excess can be sold in the month when crop prices are highest. We instructed them how to mix grain storage pesticide “shumba” and the appropriate volume of grain per bottle recommended. 4. The past farming season Both corn and bean plots have not performed well. The hardness of the soil is still a problem in this zone. We discussed with the parish leaders on how to improve the situation. We told them that the deep tillage practices should be done next season. However, cow manures should be added to the plots to add organic matter to the soil. This parish is waiting for the new Pastor to arrive. Pastor Irene is the Pastor working at the Secondary school. Meanwhile the evangelists are planning for the coming farming season Conclusion Next season, the plots will be ploughed. Land preparation and ploughing will be done as earlier as possible. From our two years experience and from the advices from other agronomists, we have come into conclusion that; a minimum tillage practice is not ideal in this area.

Ifunda-CVP Visit Report May 4-2012

2012 CVP Companion Village Project Visit Report 5th Visit 3rd Year May 4, 2012. Village Ifunda parish Pastor Irene Msalilwa Companion House of Prayer Lutheran Attendees 5 Weather Cloudy and moist Reporters Don, Karen, Rev Mangu’lisa and Venance 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, and the spray paint to mark the demarcations within which number of corn ears and yield information should be obtained. Plots information Corn does not look very good. The space between lines and between plants is much wider than the recommended; corn plants had small ears. A few corn plants were affected by a disease to be investigated. The ears were dropping and the stems’ inner tissue was soft and black, a condition which made some affected plants to fall down. A neighboring plot belonging to a villager had a better crop than the demonstration plot. When we asked about the history of the neighbor’s plot, the Parishioners said he applied Farm Yard Manure (FYM) for many years. They harvested 3 bucketful of bean seed (nearly 60kg) which is a very low production. Comments The soil from which the crops are grown appeared to be shallow, sub soil without any trace of organic horizon. Such soil is usually low in plant nutrient sources and do not favor abundance of microbial activity which nourishes the soil with nutrients. We assume the nature of the soil is the major limiting factor for low productivity because agricultural practices such as crop spacing fertilization and weeding were followed properly. It will take time and great effort to build up the soil to make it ideal for high production of crops. Conclusion We advised parishioners to leave crop residues on the soil after harvesting, try deep plowing with oxen and add as much Farm Yard Manure as they can into the soil. The disease affecting the cobs and the stems is not yet known. Investigation to know the disease continues. Edson Nziku, a church member had adapted the planting spacing on beans and we went to observe his plot, it was performing very well (picture included). We advised other members of the church to follow the example.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Jan 9-2012

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
6th Visit Year Two
January 09, 2012

Village Ifunda
Pastor Jenoca Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 16
Weather for the past month Cloudy, Raining
Institute staff Gabriel, Venance, Roger and Rev. Mang’ulisa

We met parish members working in the plot. The plot is now located in the preaching point about 7km from the Parish. We conducted a demonstration meeting there with members gather around.

Purpose of the visit
• To deliver bean seeds, fertilizers and pesticides

Topics
1. Greetings
Roger delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and House of Prayer, Oakdale.
2. Review of the handouts
 4th visit instructions
• Discussion about germination, Replanting and Pest
• Weeding after planting
• Monthly weeding after tasseling
3. Demonstration on second fertilizer application on corn
There was demonstration on planting and fertilization of beans on rows 30cm apart and 10cm between plants. Also there was a demonstration on how do second applications of fertilizer in corn
4. Insecticide Application.
We instructed them on how to apply the insecticide on both corn and beans and the recommended rates to apply.
5. Delivery.
We delivered been seeds, fertilizers and insecticides
Item Beans Fertilizers for Corn Fertilizers for beans
Variety/Type Uyole Njano CAN NPK
Amount 30 kg 2Bag 2 bags

Questions/Comments from Audience
 We know that we are instructed to apply fertilizers 60 days after planting. What should we do when 60days have reached and the plants are not tall enough to be applied fertilizers?
If after 60 days the plants are not tall enough, keep on waiting for a while. Probably the growth has been slow due to lack of rain or weather of that area. However, if plants are yellowish and appear to have stunted growth then that might be nitrogenous deficient symptoms. You have to apply nitrogenous fertilizers.

Discussion and Conclusion
The corn was planted December 10, 2011. There are no sign of disease or pests affecting the plants up to now. Beans will be planted today and tomorrow. The new plot location seems to be good location. It is along the road where many people pass to or from the village. We hope the performance will be better this year.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Nov 25-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
3rd Visit Year Two
November 25, 2011
Village Ifunda
Pastor Jenoca Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 4
Weather for the past month Dry
Institute staff Gabriel and Rev. Mang’ulisa

Purpose
• Delivering seeds and fertilizers
• Demonstrating planting and fertilizer application

Topics
• Greetings
Before we began the demonstration, John delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and US Institute of Ag advisory committee
• Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
- 3rd Visit Instruction
- Plant population and Fertilizer applications
- Fertilizer needs template
• Demonstrations
o Planting and fertilizer applications
We demonstrated on how to plant seeds and how to apply fertilizers. We insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together.
o Seeds and fertilizers
The following were delivered
Seeds Fertilizers
Variety Amount (kg) Type Amount (bags)
Panner 691 8 NPK 2
o Crop residues and weeding
Don spoke about the importance of doing weeding and leaving crop residues
Questions/comments
 What are spacing for those who have no fertilizers?
With no fertilizers it is recommended to plant 60cm by 60cm. However, you should add fertilizers in your farm. Even cow manure is good fertilizers for first application if you do not get industrial fertilizers. Apply any fertilizers and make sure the spacing should not be more than 60cm by 40cm.
Conclusion
Last season, their plot had soil issues, they could not harvest as much as they expected. This season they are going to move the plot to another place. Both bean and corn plots will be in the same location.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Aug 6-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
6th Visit Year One
August 6, 2011

Village Ifunda
Pastor Jenoca Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 2
Weather for the past month Dry
Institute staff Gabriel and Rev. Mang’ulisa
Purposes of the visit
• To collect the yield measurement
• End of season discussion and planning for the next farming season

Topics
1. Review of the handouts
• 6th Visit instruction handout
• Yield recording sheet
2. Harvesting
Corn has been harvested. The yield has been low. Beans were not planted in the last rainy season. They will be planted next week (September 13, 2011).
Crop Corn
Yield per ½ acres 2 bags
Unfortunately, they did not record the yield in 10 miters as instructed.
3. Storage
We instructed them on how to store grain for home usage and for selling at the time of high price. We instructed how to mix grain storage pesticides “shumba” and the appropriate volume of grain per bottle recommended. We left the pesticides to them to mix with their harvested grains.
4. Discussion about the farming season
The corn plot issues with the soil profile. At the beginning the plants were yellowish later on they turn green but still were very thin. Last month Three Professors from University of Minnesota visited Iringa. One of them was soil science professor, Mike …………… We visited the plot and his advice was that the land had hard soil pan just few inches from the surface. The hard pan has limited the growth of the plant roots. There is nothing these farmers can do. We discussed with the Pastor on changing the plot location. In the coming farming season they will have a new plot located close to the Parish

Comments/questions
In our discussion with the Pastor, he said they will make sure all the plots are located close to the parish. This will ensure good management and access to many parish members.

Conclusion
We did not get big audience here because the information about our visit was delayed. We told them that we will make sure we communicate with them earlier for the Pastor to announce to all parish members.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit May 24-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
5th Visit Year One
May 24, 2011

Village Ifunda
Pastor Jenoca Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 20
Weather for the past month Dry
Institute staff Gabriel, Don and Karen

Due to some land problems they had in the beginning of the season, the plot had to move to the preaching point called Kivalali.
Purpose of the visit
• Explain and demonstrate how to take yield measurement
Topics
1. Greetings
Don delivered greetings from House of Prayer-Oakkdale, Saint Paul Area Synod and US Ag Advisory Committee. He spoke about the importance of getting the right yield measurements and explained why they are highly needed.
2. Went through the handouts
o 5th Visit handout
o Yield recording sheet
o Rain record sheets to know the amount of rain received during this season
3. 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 miter tape, we used spray paint to mark the demarcations within which the measurements should be taken.

Plots information
Part of the corn plot has not performed well here. Looks like nutrients were washed away in part of the plot or for some other reasons there are nutrients unbalance in this type of soil. Beans have not been planted yet. They will be planted in August in the low land area

Comments
 Part of the corn plot has not been performing better as expected. They suggested moving the plot back to the Parish. We told them that, if they get enough land to the Parish which will not get them into conflict like that of last year, that will be good. The aim of the demonstration plot is to be seen by many people as possible. Locating it to the parish where many people have access of it will be good idea.
Conclusions
We told them to take the measurements of the corn plot according to the instructions we gave them. They should also remember to do the same in the bean plot before they harvest.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Jan 26-2011

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
4th visit, Year One
January 26, 2011

Village Ifunda
Pastors Jenock Mwilafi
Companion HOUSE OF PRAYER, OAKDALE
Attendees Male 5 Female 15 (1st time attendees: 10)
Weather Dry for the past two weeks
Ag Institute Staff Gabriel and Pastor Mang’ulisa

Purpose of the visit
• Bean planting demonstration
• Fertilizer applications demonstration
• Bean seeds and fertilizers delivery

Topics
1. Going through handout with attendees
 4th Visit handout
2. Demonstrations
We demonstrated on how to plant beans in the appropriate spacing and how to apply fertilizer to the beans. It was also demonstrated how to make the second application of fertilizer to the corn.
3. Delivery
Type/Variety Amount
Bean seeds Uyole 98 27kg
Fertilizers NPK 2 bags
CAN 2 bags
Pesticides Thionex 1 liters
Sprayer pump Anicrop Capacity 5 liters

4. Plots
Location of the plot had to change. The first location was a rented piece of land. The owner decided to take it back at the beginning of the rain season. Plot is now at the preaching point about 5km from the parish.
Corn
Spacing instruction has been followed and the plants look good. In some portions of the plot, nitrogen deficiency is observed. This is probably due to the sandy soil and hence leaching is taking place very fast.
Bean
The plot is clean and is expected to be planted next week

Comments/questions
 How many times should they apply fertilizers in beans?
We told them to do just single application at the time of planting. Beans have capacity to fix nitrogen therefore the second application is not necessary.
 They were wondering if they should use NPK only for the first application or they can use other fertilizers
We told them, we recommend NPK because it is suitable to their area regarding the nutrients it contains, however other fertilizers ie. DAP are suitable too.
 What is the best way to deal with pests and diseases in the farm?
The best way is to do crop rotation, this will cut off the disease or pest cycle from one generation to another.

Conclusion

It is their first year here. We encouraged them to take good care of the demonstration plots. From these plots, they will be able to learn modern farming activities and hence increase the yields in their farms.

Ifunda - House of Prayer -- CVP Visit Nov 3-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
3rd visit, Year One
November 3, 2010

Village Ifunda
Pastors Jenock Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees Male 7 Female 5
Weather Dry
Ah Institute Staff Gabriel, Fred and Pastor Lunodzo

Purpose of the visit
• Delivering seeds and fertilizers
• Demonstrating corn planting and fertilizer application
Greetings
Before we began the demonstration, Fred delivered greetings from St. Paul Area Synod and US Institute of Ag advisory committee
Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
• 3rd Visit Instruction
• Plant population with 60 cm. rows and Fertilizer applications
• Fertilizer needs template

Demonstrations
o Planting and fertilizer applications
Outside the church we demonstrated on how to place seeds (Both corn and beans) and how to apply fertilizers. We insisted that they should not place seeds and fertilizers together.
o Seeds and fertilizers
We delivered 2 bags of NPK and 4 bags of corn seeds

Crop Seeds Fertilizer
Varieties Amount Type Amount
Corn H628 8kg (4 bags) NPK 100kg (2 bags)

Questions/comments from the audience
 How many time should they apply fertilizers
We recommend two applications of fertilizers; at the planting and when the plants are at knee high.
 When to do second application to the corn?
Do second application when plants are at knee high, it is good to do it when the rain resume (Rain normally stops for few weeks in the mid of rain season here)
 They wanted to know whether fertilizers have chemicals that affects human health or not?
Fertilizers do contain plants nutrients. They have been approved by the government because they do not affect human health.
 They said they know that local varieties are more resistant to diseases and are not easily damaged when harvested. Why do we encourage them to use improved varieties?
It is true local varieties have some very good characteristics which sometimes the improved varieties do not have. However the improved varieties have more good characteristics (high yield, high nutrients content etc.) than the local varieties.
 What types of improved corn seeds are suitable to this area
We told them the H625 and H628 will suit their weather.
Plot
We drove to their plot which is on the slope close to the water stream, in the farming area of the town. The plot is good and it has been well cleaned.

Conclusion
We encouraged them to follow the instructions and take good care of the plot. Good results they get from the plots will help them to decide whether they should adopt the techniques or not. They should use the plot as the learning tool.

Ifunda - CVP Report Oct 11-2010

2010 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report Year One
2nd Visit
October 11, 2010

Village Ifunda
Pastors Jenock Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 18
Weather Dry
Reporters Gabriel and Rev. Lunodzo

We arrive in this Parish late in the afternoon from Kiponzelo. People have been gathering in the church and waiting for us. We started with a short meeting and we did demonstration outside the church.

Purpose of the visit
• Measuring the demonstration plots
• Delivering rain gauge
Topics
1. Review of the handouts
Together with them we went through the handouts
o 2nd Visit Instructions
o DIRA and Institute of Agriculture Village Plot Agreement
o Plot Management FAQs
2. Demonstrations
o Rain gauge
We told them we need to know the annual rainfall of their place. We instructed them on how to record rain using a rain gauge. One set of rain gauge was handed to the pastor.
o Plots
They could not get enough land around their church. They got a land in the farming area about 1km from the church. They said the plot is nearby the road. We could not get there because it was late. We instructed the Pastor to supervise the plot measuring task. We instructed them on how to measure the 1 acre plot using miter tape (instead of pacing). We told them to measure two ½ acres plots, one for corn and another one for beans

Questions/Comments from audience
 They were wondering if the minimum tillage will work since in some of the land they farm has somehow clay soil
We told them minimum tillage will work because we have tried in other villages with the same type of soil and they have got high yields.
 Why they should do second application of fertilizers while they do the first with NPK?
NPK applied at the planting time has higher ration of P and K than N. The nitrogenous fertilizers applied at the knee high (second application) supplied N which is highly needed by the plants for growth at this plant stage.
 Is it okay to apply a fertilizer called SA (Sulphate of Ammonia) instead of?
Their soil pH is very low. We would not recommend fertilizers with suphur component because they have a tendency of lower soil pH. SA will not be suitable to this area.
 They are facing termites’ problem in their farms, by leaving the crop residues are they not going to worsen the problem?
Their soils need addition of Organic matter. Crop residues are one of the best ways to add organic matter in their farms. Terminates can be controlled using pesticides.
 How should they control the fungal disease in corn which occurs almost every farming season?
I. Crop rotation
II. Plant at the appropriate time
III. Use improved seeds

Conclusions/Recommendations
We insisted that it is important for them to go and measure the plot accurately. We are planning to visit their plot next time. We reminded them about the advantages of doing weeding now as the preparation of the coming planting season.

Ifunda - CVP Report Mar 16-2010

2010 CVP
1st Visit, Year One
March 16, 2010


Village Ifunda
Pastors Jenock Mwilafi
Companion House of Prayer, Oakdale
Attendees 18
Elevation 1763m
Weather The area have normal rainfall seasons
Reporters Gabriel, Ibrahim, Roger and Rev. Lunodzo

In this visit we were accompany by the District Pastor of Ihemi; Rev. Askari Mgeyekwa. We planned to visit two sites today, Kiponzelo and Ifunda. We visited Kiponzelo in the morning and Ifunda in the afternoon. When we arrived in Ifunda, we met the Parish Pastor and few church elders. We had to wait for a while to get the good number to start with. As we continued the number kept on increasing.
Purpose of the visit
• Introducing the CV project to the congregation
• Taking the soil samples for soil analysis
• To deliver box file and a hand hoe
Topics
1. Introduction
Roger gave the greetings from St.Paul Area Synod and House of Prayer Lutheran.
Rev. Lunodzo Mang’ulisa introduces the project by encourage attendees to participate in the project. The District pastor also told the members that they should use this learning opportunity to improve their crop yields.
2. Handouts
After an introduction, the handouts were distributed to all then together with the participants we went through them.
• CVP Plot record of events
• DIRA – Institute of agriculture agreement
• Chronological Plot Management of Crops Planted in November/December 2010
• CVP Instruction – 1st Visit
3. Agricultural background of this area
The village consists of about 8,000 people and 1,500 families. It is semi-urban area with some of the people working in public institutions i.e. in 4 Secondary Schools. Farmers here grow corn, beans, potatoes, sun flower, tomatoes, cowpeas, cabbage and carrots. In farming corn they use improved seed varieties (H 628, H 625, H 614, MV2, SIDCO and PANA). They also use fertilizers (DAP, Urea and CAN). However the yields are not good. In average, they said they get 3 – 4 bags/ acre of corn. With the use of fertilizers, maximum yield one can get are 8 bags/acre.
4. Soil sampling
After the meeting in the church we went outside. Together with the members of congregation we took soil samples from 4 points around the church, places where the demonstration plot is expected to be. Two types of samples were taken, from 6 inches depth and 12 inches depth. The samples will be taken to the laboratory for soil analysis
Comments/questions from audience
• After been told that we will take soil samples for soil analysis, they were wondering how those samples will represent the entire village.
We told them that we cannot take soil samples from every farm. However we believe that soils of difference places in the same village do not differ much. The soil analysis results will represent the entire village.
• What criteria do we use in taking the soil samples?
We told them that the samples are taken randomly from four points within one acre. There should be no biasness in taking the samples.
• What layers of the soil are we going to take for soil analysis?
The samples will be taken from two layers; the depths of 6 inches and 12 inches
• Will we be visiting the farms of the members who follow our techniques from the demonstration plot?
We told them that by following what we demonstrate, that is exactly the aim of the project. We have been visiting some of the farms whose farmers have been following our techniques in other congregations. We cannot promise to visit every farm because we do have tight schedule to reach many congregations in the year. However we shall pay a visit to nearby farms and offer advice and consultancy whenever we are asked to do so.
• If the church does not have enough land close to the church, what should they do?
We told them, that the idea of having the plot near by the church is to give access to as many people as possible. If the church does not have enough land nearby , they can rent land for three years or buy (like other congregations did), However they can ask neighbors to use their land in exchange of letting them use the church’s land which is far from the church.
• We have been speaking about hand hoes, what about machines eg. Tractors, planters etc?
We told them that we teach basic farming practices, when people are familiar with these practices, they will be able to increase yields and have crop surplus. They can sell the surplus and start to buy machines like tractors and planters by themselves.
Conclusions
It has been a good start here. Members seem to be eager to learn the techniques we are going to demonstrate. We told them to decide where they want the plot to be because in the next visit, we will be measuring the plot with them.