Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bomalang'ombe Secondary School CVP Visit-Nov 3-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
November 03, 2009


School Bomalang’ombe Secondary School
Headmaster Michael Mkinga
Companion Trinity Lutheran, Still water
Attendees Ass. Headmaster, Discipline Master, Two other teachers and About 300 students
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima and Phil Larsen


We did not get the seeds (H 6303) today. We placed an order at the shop in Iringa but they have been unable to deliver despite repeated promises. The shopkeeper told us we will get them this morning, however, this morning she told us she lost communication with the truck shipping the seeds from Mbeya. We had to move on with our visits and will send the seed by bus to the villages when it arrives.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil delivered greetings from Trinity Lutheran, [Stillwater], Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. We went through the handouts
o Fertilizer needs template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row seed spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and a bottle capful of fertilizer was placed 5 cm. away on each of the seed .
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the analysis of the soil samples of this area, types of fertilizer recommended are NPK (10-18-24) and CAN (27-0-0). The school was given 2 bags of NPK, however since it has 1 ½ acre plot, it was supposed to be given 6 NPK bags. We told them we shall give an additional fertilizer to the headmaster/ Ass. Headmaster when he comes to Iringa town with the school car. We shall do the same with the seed H 6303. CAN will be delivered later for application when the plants are knee high.

Comments/questions from audience
 Students were surprised that we recommend 4 bags of NPK per acre. At home they only use 2 bags
We told them the recommendations we are giving them are based on the soil analysis we conducted and the spacing we are using for corn which are 60cm by 20cm.
 Students asked, if a person follows all the instructions we give them how many bags of corn will he/she get?
We told them once all instructions are followed, one acre should be able to give 25 bags of corn with adequate rainfall.
 They asked if they have fertilizer remaining after application in a specific area (i.e. one acre) what should they do with it.
We told them all fertilizer should be used in the given area as recommended, i.e. 4 bags of NPK per acre. After application using the bottle cap the remaining fertilizer in the bag should be spread evenly in the same field.
 They were wondering whether they should add fertilizer at the time of replanting when there is no germination
We told them at the time of replanting they should not add more fertilizer because fertilizer from the first application will still be present in the soil
 After being told that Phil is the Plant pathology Professor, one student wanted to know what the black substances were that he has been seen on the tassels at his family farm –is it a disease or disorder and how can it be prevented.
 Phil told them that the black substance is probably caused by a plant disease
called corn smut and can be prevented by using smut resistant varieties when
available.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We had very large audience which was very responsive and attentive. Many students wanted to participate in the project and help with the demonstration plot.


NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg
• Seed and other 4 bags of NPK were transported to the school on November 15, 2009. We could not get the H 6303, instead we deliver H 614.

Kivalamo CVP Visit of Oct 20-09

2008 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
1st visit Year Two
October 20, 2009


Village Kivalamo
Pastor Mkeng’e Exaudi
Companion Elim, Scandia
Attendees 16
Weather for the past month Rainy
Reporters Gabriel, Ibrahim, Don & Karen and Alfred


After a long ride we arrived at Kivalamo at 11:10pm. We met the pastor in his house. They were repairing their church so we could not hold the meeting in the church. We went direct to their plot which is down a very steep path.
Purpose of the visit
1. To see the plot
2. To deliver a rain gauge
Topics
1. The plot
Since they have a unique weather condition, corn has been planted since August and by this time plants are expected to be nearly knee high. However, according to them this year has been so dry. We looked at the plot, most of the seed failed to germinate. There was almost nothing. Also they have not done weeding for a while. We told them we are going to give those seeds once more for replanting. The fertilizer is still in the ground from the August planting. Moreover we told them to start weeding immediately. There is a water stream along side of the plot. We instructed them to use that water to irrigate the plot. They had good crop last year that rotten in the field due to continuous rain. We thought about timely planting this year, now the problem has been lucky of enough rain.
2. Rain gauge
We delivered the rain gauge and told them the advantages of knowing the rain trends and how to take the rain measurements using the rain gauge that will be derived to them soon
Comments/questions from audience
 They were wondering whether they should go for Minjingu phosphates instead of NPK since the government has been advocating the use of that type of fertilizer
We told them the fertilizer recommendations which we gave them are based on the soil analysis we conducted. When we find out that they need different type of fertilizer from the next soil analysis we shall recommend that particular fertilizer.
 They asked what are the alternative corn varieties which do not easily rot when there is continuous rain
We told them we shall find out and pass that information to them
 There was confusion about the second ½ acre. Last year they planted only corn. This year they planted corn but no beans. We are expecting to get seed variety from Uyole Ag Research Centre. When asked they said it is too late to plant a bean now since that was supposed to be done on August.
We decided that we shall give them more seeds of corn to plat there. It was suggested that a different corn seed variety should be planted there to test which one does better.

Conclusions/Recommendations
It was decided that corn seed and fertilizer will be send to Kivalamo using a bus to Idete.



NB:
• 4 bags of Seeds and 2 bags of NPK were transported to the village on November 15, 2009. We gave the Pastor who was in town for seminar. We could not get the H 6303, instead we deliver H 628.
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg

Ruaha Mbuyuni CVP Visit of Nov 10-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
3rd visit Year One
November 10, 2009

Village Ruaha Mbuyuni
Pastor Elia Kango
Companion Holy Trinity, New Prague
Attendees 13 ( 11 Women, 3 Men)
Weather for the past month Rainy for the past couple of days
Reporters Gabriel Malima, Phil Larsen

Pastor has gone to Iringa town for the seminar. However he did delegate the power to Treasurer of the Parish. The Pastor’s wife was also in attendance.
Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil provided greetings from Holy Trinity (New Prague), Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap, fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed on each side.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizer recommended for planting is NPK (10-18-24). The congregation was given 2 bags of fertilizer (NPK) and 4 bags of seeds Pioneer. The Pioneer seed variety is drought resistant and is suitable in this area.
Comments/questions from audience
 They asked why they should not use manure instead of industrial fertilizer
We told them that industrial fertilizers have known ratio of nutrients and they release nutrients quickly to the plants. However, whoever has ability to get animal manure is advised to use it together with recommended industrial fertilizers in the farm.
 Pastor’s wife comes from mountainous area in Iringa and she wanted to know if the corn variety (Pioneer) can be used even there.
We told her that, the Pioneer variety recommended is suitable to the areas which do not have adequate rainfall. Since the mountainous areas normally have adequate rainfall this variety may not be suitable for those conditions. The H 628 and H614 might be suitable in that area.

Conclusions/Recommendations
Their plot is about 8 km from the church. We could not reach there. We did the demonstrations outside the church.


NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg

Ng'ang'ange CVP Visit of Nov 3-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
3rd visit Year One
November 03, 2009


Village Ng’ang’ange
Pastor Simon Msula
Companion Roseville Lutheran, Roseville
Attendees 16
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima and Phil Larsen


We did not deliver the seed (H 6303) today. We placed an order at the shop in Iringa but they have been unable to deliver despite repeated promises. The shopkeeper told us we will get the this morning, then she told us she lost communication with the truck shipping the seeds from Mbeya. We had to move on with our visits and send the seed by bus to the villages later after it arrives.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil delivered greetings from Roseville Lutheran, the Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap, fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed on each side.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizers recommended are NPK (10-18-24) and CAN (27-0-0). The congregation was given 2 bags of NPK. CAN will be delivered later.


Comments/questions from audience
 They told us they have been planting corn in rows with 3 ft spacing between rows and 1 ft from between plants and they were wondering if the spacing of 60cm and 20cm works.
We emphasized that we are asking them to do things differently from the past and ask that they follow our instructions closely. The methods we are recommending have been tested and have worked in the past.
 They asked us, since the government has recommended Minjingu phosphates and DAP. These types of fertilizers have been subsidized by the government hence they are cheap and readily available. Why do we tell them to go for NPK?
We told them that we have given them a fertilizer recommendation in accordance with the soil analysis of the soil samples taken from their area. We advised them to buy the recommended fertilizer to get good yields and to conserve their soil fertility.

Conclusions/Recommendations
Their plot is new cleared land. Most of the plot has been burnt because it had big chucks of thorn bushes and “itch” grasses. We told them next year they should not burn the crop residues and dried weeds. They said they usually get 3-4bags/acre with no fertilizers. We told them that they will be able to get more if they follow our recommendations.

NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg
• Seed and other 4 bags of NPK were transported to the village on November 15, 2009. We gave the seed to the Pastor who was in town for seminar. We could not get the H 6303, instead we gave them H 628.

Tungamalenga CVP Visit of Nov 9-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
1st visit, YEAR TWO
November 09, 2009

Village Tungamalenga
Pastor Naftali Nga’amilo
Companion Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley
Attendees 11 (3 Female, 8 Male)
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima, Phil Larsen

Before the meeting we asked the Pastor and other church leaders why they want to move the plot from nearby the church to another site. The Pastor said they sometimes face drought as the situation they had last year. The place where they want to move the plot can be irrigated. Moreover, the new site is along the road to the church therefore the people will be able to see it on their way to the Sunday services.
Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil provided greetings from Shepherd of the Valley (Apple Valley), Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap, fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed on each side.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the types of fertilizer recommended are NPK (10-18-24) and CAN (27-0-0). The congregation was given 2 bags of fertilizer (NPK) and 4 bags of seeds, DK 8031. DK 8031 is drought resistant and is suitable for this area.




Comments/questions from audience
 They normally do not use fertilizer because they believe their soil has enough nutrients
We told them that according to the soil analysis we conducted, it was found out that their soil has nutrient deficiencies and they have to use fertilizer on their farms
 They said that fertilizer is poisonous and they were worried it will destroy their soil
We told them that fertilizers are not poisonous to the soil as long as the right type is used in the right amount.
 They asked sometimes one farm may have corn with different heights (some may be shorter than the other), what can be done in to bring the uniformity in the plants?
We told them using one corn variety and applying fertilizer will bring the uniformity in the field
 They asked whether it is OK to use herbicides in their farms to control weeds
We told them it’s OK as long as they can afford that and they use the right kind and the right amount recommended for maize.
 They asked whether they have to apply different types of fertilizers in different parts of the village because of having different kinds of soil?
We told them that we took soil samples from one site and we believe that the site is the representative of whole village. We asked them to use the same recommended type of fertilizers throughout the village.
 They wanted to know what are the causes of soil acidity especially in their paddy farms
We told them that that might be caused by the use of one type of nitrogenous fertilizer especially urea for many years. To solve the problem the type of fertilizer should be changed and if the problem is severe, lime can be used to neutralize the acid.

Conclusions/Recommendations
After the discussion we agreed with them that they should move the plot to the new site. Pastor and the audience were very attentive and they had many questions. We enjoyed the discussion here.

NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg

Mwatasi CVP Visit of Nov 13-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
1ST Visit-YEAR TWO
November 13, 2009


Village Mwatasi
Pastor Elias Kadinda
Companion Trinity, Still water
Attendees 7 (4 Women, 3 Men)
Weather for the past month Rainy
Reporters Gabriel Malima and Phil Larsen


The pastor is new here. He has 2 months since he started to work to this Parish. However he has been updated about the CVP plot by the last Pastor.

Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil delivered greetings from Trinity (Stillwater), the Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was placed every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap, fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed on each side.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizer recommended was NPK (10-18-24) . The congregation was given 2 bags of NPK and 4 bags of H614 maize seed.







Comments/questions from audience
 We had a discussion about corn varieties they have been farming here. They said the main problem they have is corn ear rotting before harvesting. This must be cause by a fungal disease. We told them to try the variety H614. One member said he has once used that Hybrid and he did not get the corn disease problem. We hope H614 will do well in this area.

Conclusions/Recommendations
They promise to follow all the instructions this year.

NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg

Mkimbizi CVP Visit of Nov 16-09

2009 CVP
Companion Village Project
Visit Report
3rd visit Year One
November 16, 2009

Village Mkimbizi
Pastor Ambrosi Mwakikoti
Companion Immanuel Lutheran, Saint Paul
Attendees 5 (3 Men, 2 Women)
Weather for the past month Sunny and dry
Reporters Gabriel Malima, Phil Larsen, Alfred Somela

We planned to carry out the demonstration in the preaching point. We drove to the preaching point with a Pastor and Treasurer of the Parish.
Purpose of the visit
• Planting and fertilizer application demonstrations
• To deliver seed and fertilizer
Topics
1. Greetings
Phil derived greetings from Immanuel Lutheran (Saint Paul), Saint Paul Area Synod and US Advisory Committee
2. Going through the handouts
o Fertilizer need template
o Plant population handout
o Fertilizer application handout
3. Demonstrations
It was demonstrated how to measure inter row spacing (60cm) and intra row spacing (20cm). Using a string and a hand hoe, it was demonstrated how to plant and apply fertilizer. One seed was put after every 20 cm and by using a bottle cap, fertilizer was applied 5cm from the seed in each side.
4. Fertilizer and seed delivery
According to the soil analysis of the soil of this area, the type of fertilizer recommended for planting is NPK (10-18-24). The congregation was given 2 bags of fertilizer (NPK) and 4 bags of Pioneer 3253 maize seed. The seed variety Pioneer 3253 is drought resistant and, hence, is suitable in this area.
5. Rain gauge
We had to repeat the instructions on how to take the readings from the Rain gauge after finding out that they have not started to record rainfall in spite of having rains for couple of days last week.

Comments/questions from audience
 They said that they have been planting without using specific inter and intra row spacing.
We told them using specific inter and intra row spacing will improve their yield because specific spaces reduce competition among the plants.
 They ask with the minimum tillage, they see the possibility of having shallow roots, therefore, questioned how the plant is going to support itself on the ground in case of the wind blowing.
We told them, the roots of the plant will be deep enough to support the plant. We have done this in the last year and the plants were not blown over by the wind.

Conclusions/Recommendations
We had very small audience. This is a parish which is in the Iringa Municipality. Parish members are farmers and also workers in the offices. Monday being a working day, most of them have gone to the offices. However we hope these few members of the parish we met they will pass the instructions to others
NB:
• 1 bag of NPK is 50kg and 1 bag of seed is 2kg