This past week the field agents have been heading out to the villages to collect field data. They are measuring fields and interviewing farmers to learn what and how much people are planting. When I don't have other work related things to do, I usually head out with them. This is a great way to talk with farmers, see the area (aka get some hiking in), and really get into a field to see what farmers are doing around here. Never thought I would be an Old McDonald on the farm but I do enjoy it.
Anyway, I was glad when I went last Thursday because I noticed something at the end of the day that is pretty exciting for around here. As we finished up the last field measuring for Polateng village, I was just looking at surrounding fields of wheat and noticed a considerable difference in the development of wheat crops. Both seemed to have been planted at the same time but one was infested with a particular weed prevalent in the wheat crops of the area and the plants' grain didn't seem to fill out as tightly. The other field, right next to this one, had an excellent stand of wheat with well developed grain heads and very little weed issues. (Yea, you didn't know I knew so much about wheat did you! Neither did I!)
Fortunately, for the sake of this story, I am not the only one that was excited. My counterparts were all very interested in what was going on in this field.
A relatively new variety seems to be the reason for the extreme difference in fields. The farmer had purchased the seed from a distant cousin living in the even more rural mountains outside of Semonkong by about a day's horse ride. Seeing the performance of this variety is exciting and, yes, I know you guys think I am crazy but every advantages counts for something up here. Every little accomplishment also helps to boost my energy to stay here so hopefully they keep coming.
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