Budding Jatropha and JTP Update

I have continued to experiment with fertilizer. Two weeks ago, I added a 9-59-8 NPK mix to the Jatropha. The plant on the far right (below) is now 19 1/2” tall, representing over over 8” of growth in one month. I measure the plants at least weekly and have seen accelerated growth with 2” of growth just in the last few days.

The center plant is now beginning to show flower buds as you can see in the photo below. It is just over 14” tall.

I received an update on the JTP in Burundi, Africa. I will include Jean Marie’s update in his words:

“I left very early in the morning, at 07h00; then I took twice buses, from my town to Cibitoke, where the JTP is. It took me 1 hour 30 minutes. When I reached there, I found all the workers present and ready for more work. They have finished cultivating, collecting the cuttings and seeds. Tomorrow, they will start planting. It has required 5 farmers to cultivate the plot during 5 days. In order to reach the JTP, the transportation means I am using are bus, bike and motorbike.

After arrival, I hold a very successful discussion with the agronomist and farmers. We decided to intercrop the jatropha with beans and corn, then see what will happen.

I left the place around 13h30, back to Bujumbura.

I want to have a word on the irrigation system. It is a canal running like a river of 71 kms of length. It has been built during Belgium colonial times to help Cibitoke population cultivate, plant, irrigate and harvest over each year. This land and the irrigation system can feed one third of the entire population and even export to neighbouring countries; unfortunately, due to war, the financial support that Belgium used to give stopped. Now, the people SHINE is working with have decided to clean the irrigation canal, but have not succeeded to finish it all, due to lack of support.”

He has asked us to pray for several items. Please join me in praying for his requests:

What to pray for:

• Safety while going to the JTP
• Cutting costs: the farmers are asking to be paid for the cuttings and seeds they have collected. They want 80$USA. Pray for the discussion I am having with them.
• Experts and finances to help the population in order to maintain the irrigation system and exploit efficiently and effectively this land.
• Clean water, school, health centre for the population of this location.

• Favor as I am planning to introduce our project to the governor of this province and ask him a letter supporting the project.

God bless,

John

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:23-24