Luapula Provincial Farm Show

One of the provincial displays, showing the various food products grown in the region.

Cultural dancers and drumming for entertainment at the Farm Show.

Mary, Ruth and Patricia baking goods from sweet potatoes and cassava.

John and I worked this past weekend at the Farm Show. The theme this year is "Challenges of Change". ZARI had its own booth highlighting some of the research that we are doing. We exhibited improved cassava and sweet potato varieties, maize fertilizer trials, and the weed experiments that I did. We also had examples of baked goods that you can make from cassava and sweet potatoes. All Wednesday and Thursday I was learning and helping to make the baked goods. We even had some taste samples which were a big hit, especially with the children. We sold the rest of the goods towards the end of the show. We also had some Lukupa beans from PLARD available for taste testing, but no bowls or spoon or anything to serve them with. Thus chaos ensued as John dished out the beans into hundreds of egar children's hands. I think they thought they were 'American beans', needless to say there was much confusion.

The show had exhibits from different governmental departments and from all the provincial offices in Luapula. There was also entertainment of cultural dances and drumming. We were able to buy some pinapples and eggplant at the show, from the World Vision booth. These crops are hard to come by here in Mansa, but we enjoy them very much. We hope to attend the national agricultural show in early August down in Lusaka.

This week we have been sampling once again. We only have one more sampling day left; I find that hard to believe. We also have been eating lots of rape and carrots, because that is what is growing in our garden. We have been sharing with our neighbors too, because there is so much!

We hope you enjoy the pictures!