I just returned from my longest road trip to date, a ten day, 3,100 km roundtrip drive from Lundazi to Arusha, Tanzania. I thought I might see #theroadchosehim on my trip, but I guess he's still within sight of the Mediterranean.
Rev. Mapopa Nyirongo and I departed Lundazi, Zambia, on Sunday, 5 February, 2017, driving to Arusha, Tanzania, to attend the 2017 ECHO East Africa 4th Biennial Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture Best Practices. We crossed into Malawi just east of Lundazi, and struggled through wet, muddy roads, nearly getting stuck, before reaching the tarmac which leads to Mzuzu, and on to the Malawi-Tanzanian border. Thank goodness for the Land Cruiser and superior driving skills).
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqXbYjLJh
In Mzuzu, we stopped at the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia guesthouse for lunch, and then I got measured for some sweet threads at their tailor shop IGA, before heading on our way to Iringa, Tanzania, where we spent the night.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqqg5DiGC
Because of poor roads and rain, we arrived at the guesthouse at 1:30 am. The next morning, on Monday, 6 February, we continued on our way to Arusha, with Andre VanWoerden and his associate, Jesca, joining us. Andre is a friend from my ECHO Tropical Agricultural Development I course attended in Florida in 2015. He works in agricultural development with Emmanuel International out of Canada, working in partnership with the Anglican Church in Iringa.
If you've never driven in Tanzania, watch out for numerous speed traps. We were stopped for speeding 4 times on the way from Iringa to Arusha. Along the way, we saw Maasai tending their cattle. As we neared Arusha, very dry, West Texas looking country.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqQMAD567
https://instagr.am/p/BQkpwjDFBFK
We arrived safely in Arusha, where Rev. Nyirongo and I checked into our hotel, Hotel Flamingo. Despite no walled, secure parking area, we were assured that street parking in front of the hotel was safe, and a watchman would keep an eye on my vehicle.
However, when I went out to put some things in the car the next morning, I discovered this,
https://instagr.am/p/BQkp30ODzm6
The running light on both front fenders, and the Land Cruiser emblems on both doors had been stolen overnight, and the watchman was nowhere to be seen. I told myself a kid had stolen them to sell for money to buy food; they can be replaced. But we did check out of the Hotel Flamingo and relocate to a nearby Catholic guesthouse, in a walled compound, where Andre and several others from his organization were staying.
The conference began on Tuesday, 7 February, and lasted through Thursday, 9 February. Each day the morning schedule began with a devotion time, followed by presentations in the main conference room. In the afternoons, there were breakout sessions to choose from, in three different time slots.
Over the three days, I attended sessions on the following topics,
Diversity of Approaches in Conservation Agriculture in Africa-Linking the Initiatives, Policies and Service Providers; Leonard Rusinamhodzi, CIMMYT
How to Scale Up Conservation Agriculture; Mueni Mutinda, CFGB
The Rise of Pigeon Peas in Importance; Said Silim, ICRISAT
Navigating the Pigeon Pea Value Chain; Daniel Charles, Kilimo Markets, Ltd
Panel Q&A, Conservation Agriculture; Leonard Rusinamhodzi, CIMMYT
Scaling up GAFCO's Value Chain Experience; Jim van Peursem, GAFCO
Practical Use of Conservation Agriculture Implements; Boniface Okumu, Tillers International
Greener Food Production in Africa: Resilient Crops and Zonal Management; Sieg Snapp, Associate Director, Center for Global Change, Michigan State University
How to Work Livestock into a Conservation Agriculture System; Shinan Kassam, ICARDA
Green Manure Cover Crops and Conservation Agriculture; Neil Miller, CGFB/MCC East Africa
Panel: Lablab-An Underestimated Crop Finds Its Niche; Wilfred Mariki, Research Consultant
Q&A: Practical Experiences Integrating Livestock and Conservation Agriculture, Shinan Kassam, ICARDA
Best Practices in Soil Testing; Neil Miller, CGFB/MCC East Africa
Creating Interactive Radio Programs; Karin, Farm Radio International
Transformational Development-Thinking About Community; Joshua Ramatiali, Growing Nations Trust
Gender Analysis for Improved Livelihoods; Sister Monika Ndege, Community Development Consultant
Temperate Fruit Tree Management at the Equator; Juma Sheiza Shekidele, HORTI
The Connection Between Agriculture and Poverty Alleviation; Sara Sytsma, World Renew
During a side trip to the ECHO East Africa Impact Center, I received Chaya cuttings, to bring back to Zambia, where we will root and plant them, both at the Model Farm, and at our house (for more information on Chaya, see https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/49c39043-6010-467e-a034-ee296673f112.pdf)
Attendees were also given a number of leguminous green manure cover crop seeds in their registration packet.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkrUSQD_nU
The conference ended with a banquet on Thursday evening, where attendees received their certificates of completion for attending the course. Below, Rev. Nyirongo is seen with his certificate.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkq-z1jv-q
During the banquet, we were told the conference had the largest attendance of any ECHO conference to date (282), with people from twenty-five countries, representing thirty-five languages. One of the highlights of the evening was the prayer of the nations, where a different person offered a brief prayer in each of the languages; Rev. Nyirongo offered a prayer in Tumbuka.
On Friday morning, 10 February, we began the long drive back to Zambia, arriving in Iringa around 16:30 hours. We were invited to dinner with Andre VanWoerden's family, and were able to see some of the projects he has been involved with, working with the Anglican Church. It was a great evening, especially getting to know his wife and children (four girls, ages 5-13).
https://instagr.am/p/BQkp_WxDddm
The next morning, we departed for Mzuzu, Malawi, where we arrived in the late afternoon on Saturday, 11 February. When we arrived, we were greeted by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Levi Nyondo. We lodged at the William Koyi Guesthouse, and attended both the English and Tumbuka worship services on Sunday.
On Monday, 13, February, after collecting my new, boss sports coats, we spent the morning learning about the work of CCAP Synod of Livingstonia's SMART Center, hosted by Reinier Veldman. We learned of the center's work in water and sanitation and developed a relationship with Reinier and Hans Kasbergen. We also visited two men who have benefited from the center's training programs, and enjoyed seeing their training being put to use. Later in the afternoon, we were hosted by Yohane Nyasulu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Livingstonia, and traveled to the Lusangazi Campus to see and learn about the agricultural programs of the university. In particular, we were able to see and learn about their fish farming and poultry programs. Unfortunately, they aren't raising any mushrooms at the present time, and we were unable to learn much about that program.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkphsyD8b2
If any of you ag guys ever consider going into mission service, I encourage you to get dialed in with ECHO in Fort Myers, FL. Good guys, and good resources on sustainable agriculture and appropriate technology.
Rev. Mapopa Nyirongo and I departed Lundazi, Zambia, on Sunday, 5 February, 2017, driving to Arusha, Tanzania, to attend the 2017 ECHO East Africa 4th Biennial Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture Best Practices. We crossed into Malawi just east of Lundazi, and struggled through wet, muddy roads, nearly getting stuck, before reaching the tarmac which leads to Mzuzu, and on to the Malawi-Tanzanian border. Thank goodness for the Land Cruiser and superior driving skills).
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqXbYjLJh
In Mzuzu, we stopped at the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia guesthouse for lunch, and then I got measured for some sweet threads at their tailor shop IGA, before heading on our way to Iringa, Tanzania, where we spent the night.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqqg5DiGC
Because of poor roads and rain, we arrived at the guesthouse at 1:30 am. The next morning, on Monday, 6 February, we continued on our way to Arusha, with Andre VanWoerden and his associate, Jesca, joining us. Andre is a friend from my ECHO Tropical Agricultural Development I course attended in Florida in 2015. He works in agricultural development with Emmanuel International out of Canada, working in partnership with the Anglican Church in Iringa.
If you've never driven in Tanzania, watch out for numerous speed traps. We were stopped for speeding 4 times on the way from Iringa to Arusha. Along the way, we saw Maasai tending their cattle. As we neared Arusha, very dry, West Texas looking country.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkqQMAD567
https://instagr.am/p/BQkpwjDFBFK
We arrived safely in Arusha, where Rev. Nyirongo and I checked into our hotel, Hotel Flamingo. Despite no walled, secure parking area, we were assured that street parking in front of the hotel was safe, and a watchman would keep an eye on my vehicle.
However, when I went out to put some things in the car the next morning, I discovered this,
https://instagr.am/p/BQkp30ODzm6
The running light on both front fenders, and the Land Cruiser emblems on both doors had been stolen overnight, and the watchman was nowhere to be seen. I told myself a kid had stolen them to sell for money to buy food; they can be replaced. But we did check out of the Hotel Flamingo and relocate to a nearby Catholic guesthouse, in a walled compound, where Andre and several others from his organization were staying.
The conference began on Tuesday, 7 February, and lasted through Thursday, 9 February. Each day the morning schedule began with a devotion time, followed by presentations in the main conference room. In the afternoons, there were breakout sessions to choose from, in three different time slots.
Over the three days, I attended sessions on the following topics,
Diversity of Approaches in Conservation Agriculture in Africa-Linking the Initiatives, Policies and Service Providers; Leonard Rusinamhodzi, CIMMYT
How to Scale Up Conservation Agriculture; Mueni Mutinda, CFGB
The Rise of Pigeon Peas in Importance; Said Silim, ICRISAT
Navigating the Pigeon Pea Value Chain; Daniel Charles, Kilimo Markets, Ltd
Panel Q&A, Conservation Agriculture; Leonard Rusinamhodzi, CIMMYT
Scaling up GAFCO's Value Chain Experience; Jim van Peursem, GAFCO
Practical Use of Conservation Agriculture Implements; Boniface Okumu, Tillers International
Greener Food Production in Africa: Resilient Crops and Zonal Management; Sieg Snapp, Associate Director, Center for Global Change, Michigan State University
How to Work Livestock into a Conservation Agriculture System; Shinan Kassam, ICARDA
Green Manure Cover Crops and Conservation Agriculture; Neil Miller, CGFB/MCC East Africa
Panel: Lablab-An Underestimated Crop Finds Its Niche; Wilfred Mariki, Research Consultant
Q&A: Practical Experiences Integrating Livestock and Conservation Agriculture, Shinan Kassam, ICARDA
Best Practices in Soil Testing; Neil Miller, CGFB/MCC East Africa
Creating Interactive Radio Programs; Karin, Farm Radio International
Transformational Development-Thinking About Community; Joshua Ramatiali, Growing Nations Trust
Gender Analysis for Improved Livelihoods; Sister Monika Ndege, Community Development Consultant
Temperate Fruit Tree Management at the Equator; Juma Sheiza Shekidele, HORTI
The Connection Between Agriculture and Poverty Alleviation; Sara Sytsma, World Renew
During a side trip to the ECHO East Africa Impact Center, I received Chaya cuttings, to bring back to Zambia, where we will root and plant them, both at the Model Farm, and at our house (for more information on Chaya, see https://www.echocommunity.org/en/resources/49c39043-6010-467e-a034-ee296673f112.pdf)
Attendees were also given a number of leguminous green manure cover crop seeds in their registration packet.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkrUSQD_nU
The conference ended with a banquet on Thursday evening, where attendees received their certificates of completion for attending the course. Below, Rev. Nyirongo is seen with his certificate.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkq-z1jv-q
During the banquet, we were told the conference had the largest attendance of any ECHO conference to date (282), with people from twenty-five countries, representing thirty-five languages. One of the highlights of the evening was the prayer of the nations, where a different person offered a brief prayer in each of the languages; Rev. Nyirongo offered a prayer in Tumbuka.
On Friday morning, 10 February, we began the long drive back to Zambia, arriving in Iringa around 16:30 hours. We were invited to dinner with Andre VanWoerden's family, and were able to see some of the projects he has been involved with, working with the Anglican Church. It was a great evening, especially getting to know his wife and children (four girls, ages 5-13).
https://instagr.am/p/BQkp_WxDddm
The next morning, we departed for Mzuzu, Malawi, where we arrived in the late afternoon on Saturday, 11 February. When we arrived, we were greeted by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Levi Nyondo. We lodged at the William Koyi Guesthouse, and attended both the English and Tumbuka worship services on Sunday.
On Monday, 13, February, after collecting my new, boss sports coats, we spent the morning learning about the work of CCAP Synod of Livingstonia's SMART Center, hosted by Reinier Veldman. We learned of the center's work in water and sanitation and developed a relationship with Reinier and Hans Kasbergen. We also visited two men who have benefited from the center's training programs, and enjoyed seeing their training being put to use. Later in the afternoon, we were hosted by Yohane Nyasulu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Livingstonia, and traveled to the Lusangazi Campus to see and learn about the agricultural programs of the university. In particular, we were able to see and learn about their fish farming and poultry programs. Unfortunately, they aren't raising any mushrooms at the present time, and we were unable to learn much about that program.
https://instagr.am/p/BQkphsyD8b2
If any of you ag guys ever consider going into mission service, I encourage you to get dialed in with ECHO in Fort Myers, FL. Good guys, and good resources on sustainable agriculture and appropriate technology.
