Another Trip to the X-Farm Thursday April 9th

In the interim since the first trip to the experimental farm at Ganze, planting holes have been dug. Today’s task was to basically fill the hole back in again whilst inserting measured amounts of fertilizer and pesticide at prescribed depths. Although the task is relatively simple the exercise didn’t get off to a great start. An instruction sheet was used to demonstrate the process to the twelve or so non-English speaking day-workers, The first demonstration unfortunately omitted a step. The second attempt went smoothly. But in handing out the instruction sheet and pointing to the accompanying diagram it became obvious the two didn’t gibe, hence one more demonstration. The third time was a charm. Needless to say though. by this time there were a number of confused looks. So, I got to observe and ensure everyone followed “the” process.

I am sure you have seen old colonial-era pictures of a white overseer standing under the midday sun, complete with big floppy hat, watching locals working the land. The picture usually invoked in me a somewhat negative reaction and a questioning as to why he was ”just standing around”. Standing on a classic African hillside under the late morning sun, I found myself in just that pose. Thankfully no one had a camera and lunchtime eventually came to my rescue.

Lunch was at the local hotel aka restaurant (kind of). The nyama (gristly meat) usually isn’t worth the effort that chewing it requires, which leaves beans, rice and varied cooked greens. The maharagwe (beans) are a staple here and when cooked with shaved fresh coconut can be delicious. No small praise from this avowed carnivore.

Chickens! As we were relaxing after lunch, sitting outside the restaurant, along came the chicken truck. The standard Toyota Hilux pickup. (Those familiar with the BBC program Top Gear will further appreciate why this particular vehicle is the one of choice in this part of the world - video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5179975685121295378 or search 'top gear toyota'). The bed of the truck had a three tier cage arrangement. The bottom two were FULL of chickens. As the Easter holiday was coming up the assumption was they were selling chickens. No. Following a brief conversation and an exchange of money another chicken was added to the load. The local economy at work.