The Nhamatanda Director, Sr. Benendito Caetano of Agriculture opens the meeting
The 12 ladies who after being allocated land by the Organic Farmers Association initiated a market garden to grow vegetables organically.
Some association members and pictured on the near right, Sr. Camilo the Agricultural Engineer of the Nhamatanda Agricultural Authority, listens to the proceedings.
After the meeting, we make our way to Sr. Herculano and the ladies market gardens for an impromptu field day.
Part of Sr. Herculano’s machamba that has been prepared for flood irrigation. Sr. Herculano purchased a motorised pump after 2 years of using a manual pump and saving up enough money to purchase the motorised unit. He pumps from the
Lively and informative discussions take place. This is the function of field days, to promote interest.
We make off from Sr. Herculano’s machamba to visit the ladies market garden.
The cabbage planted 0ut. (Actually what they call ‘Portuguese Cabbage’, but I think it is actually a type of Swiss chard)
They have re-prepared the bed in the nursery where the first tomato seedlings came from, and planted some carrot seed.
The tomatoes are looking great! Some are beginning to yellow so we showed the ladies how to apply fire ash as a top dressing.
Sr. Camilo shows how to plant tomato seedlings that have been left for too long in the nursery.
Lettuce that has been planted out is looking strong and healthy.
The group listens while Sr. Herculano discusses how to make best use of the remaining tomato plants in the ladies nursery. Other farmers from the association will take plants to plant into their own machambas.
The above pictures reveal the groups interest as various discussions take place. The idea of field days is to promote interest and discussion.Compiled by:
Grant Norvall with assistance from Rosa Zeca
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