TUES 18 September---Started soaking and boiling soybeans(soja) today. Soja have to be heated to be effectively digested by animals or humans. This kills the tripsin(an essential amino acid)inhibitor.
After boiling the soja were set out in the sun to dry. Overcast day so will need to be finished on Wednesday. Internet somewhat sketchy today. Nothing really working consistently.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Starting work of substance-info on agencies
Events of Monday 17 Sept. ---Spent the day preparing for soy food preperation and planning general presentation from student. It seems somewhat difficult to push buttons to get things done but I suppose that is to be expected.
One general observation: I have been surprised by the amount of Non Governmental Organization(NGO) and government aid from various sources that is coming to Mozambique and other African nations. The program I am in is CNFA which is all from taxpayer funded USAID. Even saw a USAID SUV in Cuamba. So, a lot of people and governments are here trying to help in different ways. One would hope that there would be some self sufficiency come out of this.
The government here was colonial until about 35 years ago. The Portuguese(sp) left but that culture remains. Following the end of Colonialism there was a period of Marxist/Communist rule, which faded away after the civil war.
Now it is a republic but is considered corrupt.
One general observation: I have been surprised by the amount of Non Governmental Organization(NGO) and government aid from various sources that is coming to Mozambique and other African nations. The program I am in is CNFA which is all from taxpayer funded USAID. Even saw a USAID SUV in Cuamba. So, a lot of people and governments are here trying to help in different ways. One would hope that there would be some self sufficiency come out of this.
The government here was colonial until about 35 years ago. The Portuguese(sp) left but that culture remains. Following the end of Colonialism there was a period of Marxist/Communist rule, which faded away after the civil war.
Now it is a republic but is considered corrupt.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Catching up- Been offline
Hello, It is Saturday am in Beira MZ on the Indian Ocean. Will be checking out soon for final debriefing and trip to airport and then home. Will get to Chicago about 1030 Sunday am. I will have much more on this when I get home and am sorry but have just not been able to get on line. service is spotty on the internet. Have to finish a final report to the host(FAC) on recomendations for the value chain of soybeans.
Of the 15 days I will have been gone, 8 were spent in Cuamba, the actual assignment. It took from Saturday the 8th until Monday the 10th to get to a jumping off point in Nampula. Then a one day train ride, there are 4 days. Started work Wednesday am(the 12th) and finished work on the 19th. 20th was a one day train ride, 21st was getting to Beira, and today will spent in transit. 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd will be four more days in transit. So, 8 days traveling. 8 days on the job so to speak. You can not get anywhere fast in this country. It is undeveloped.
More later.
Jim Traub
Of the 15 days I will have been gone, 8 were spent in Cuamba, the actual assignment. It took from Saturday the 8th until Monday the 10th to get to a jumping off point in Nampula. Then a one day train ride, there are 4 days. Started work Wednesday am(the 12th) and finished work on the 19th. 20th was a one day train ride, 21st was getting to Beira, and today will spent in transit. 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd will be four more days in transit. So, 8 days traveling. 8 days on the job so to speak. You can not get anywhere fast in this country. It is undeveloped.
More later.
Jim Traub
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Soy Storage View
Monday am 17 Sept 0822 am MZ and 1:22 am in Monticello.
Viewed the soybean production in storage in bags. Two different years available to view. Could not view last week as the product had been fumigated with Phosphine. Clear to go today. Have used phosphine before many times at Beardstown.
The appearance is that of beans that have not had much moisture. Small, brown or buff hylum but fairly consistent.
Cooler today so far.
Jim
Viewed the soybean production in storage in bags. Two different years available to view. Could not view last week as the product had been fumigated with Phosphine. Clear to go today. Have used phosphine before many times at Beardstown.
The appearance is that of beans that have not had much moisture. Small, brown or buff hylum but fairly consistent.
Cooler today so far.
Jim
Yankee from the Midwest about Town.
It is Sunday noon in MZ. Another hot day after some winds Saturday evening. No rain. Had some great fish yesterday at a local restaurant.
Having big problems with the University wireless service and my modem but am on line now at University.
Probably do not have time now but want to post some pics. Primitive housing, bamboo sides and grass roofs. The structure uses a mud dob as a "glue" to hold together the frames. This is the norm in the town. There are some modern constructed houses(modern is relative) from appearances. Am told that they are predominantly from the Colonial era.
The village seems to have several auto parts / garages. A few grocery/bakeries, A few restaurants. Food is acceptable so far. It does take a little more effort to figure out what to buy but so did the BROWN BAG in Monticello when I started there.
My big purchases are bottled water. Not eating as much and feel ok so far. But taking in a lot more water.
The red dust is pervasive. I seem "gritty" all of time. The other perspective that hits me right now is that this place is isolated. Cuamba is 7-10 hours from Nampula, where I stayed one night and will stay one night more on return trip. So, you live more deliberately and simply. Lots of motor bikes and a few vehicles. The restaurants are small town comfortable---that is I am obviously different than the populace, but it is sort of like walking into a restaurant in small town Nebraska--they know I am not local but they are not hostile.
Everyone seems to have cell phones. I have also seen Harvard sweat shirts, basketball shirts that say BRYANT and JAMES etc. It is not unusual to see the scrimmages on the outdoor basketball court with Bryant agains Bryant with different colors.
Progress is trying to be made, but it seems a fragile process. It is difficult to see all progress being locally and sustainable. There is now a coal project that has outgrown the port of Beira and is now coming through Cuamba on its way to Nacala. One would hope that some of this revenue would enure to the locals.
More later.
Go IlliniGo SagesGoEskimos
Jim Traub
Having big problems with the University wireless service and my modem but am on line now at University.
Probably do not have time now but want to post some pics. Primitive housing, bamboo sides and grass roofs. The structure uses a mud dob as a "glue" to hold together the frames. This is the norm in the town. There are some modern constructed houses(modern is relative) from appearances. Am told that they are predominantly from the Colonial era.
The village seems to have several auto parts / garages. A few grocery/bakeries, A few restaurants. Food is acceptable so far. It does take a little more effort to figure out what to buy but so did the BROWN BAG in Monticello when I started there.
My big purchases are bottled water. Not eating as much and feel ok so far. But taking in a lot more water.
The red dust is pervasive. I seem "gritty" all of time. The other perspective that hits me right now is that this place is isolated. Cuamba is 7-10 hours from Nampula, where I stayed one night and will stay one night more on return trip. So, you live more deliberately and simply. Lots of motor bikes and a few vehicles. The restaurants are small town comfortable---that is I am obviously different than the populace, but it is sort of like walking into a restaurant in small town Nebraska--they know I am not local but they are not hostile.
Everyone seems to have cell phones. I have also seen Harvard sweat shirts, basketball shirts that say BRYANT and JAMES etc. It is not unusual to see the scrimmages on the outdoor basketball court with Bryant agains Bryant with different colors.
Progress is trying to be made, but it seems a fragile process. It is difficult to see all progress being locally and sustainable. There is now a coal project that has outgrown the port of Beira and is now coming through Cuamba on its way to Nacala. One would hope that some of this revenue would enure to the locals.
More later.
Go IlliniGo SagesGoEskimos
Jim Traub
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Blog Catch up-DAaily habits-Local visits
Have not been aable to be on line for a couple of days-remains a mystery. But have a short period right now that I can use.
WATER daily usage----Drink only bottled water. Also only use bottle d water on tooth brush, shaving creme etc. A little cumbersome.
SLEEPING-Have a mosquito net in bedroom of apt. This is different.
TV-None
LIVING SPACE-Very good, except no AC--fans suffices.
ROADS-all dirt---like the Mississippi Cotton Pickin Delta Town, One Lonely Steet to Walk up and Down
EATING-Have really cut back--make sure I get my vitamins and malaria pills
VIsited an agronomy lab at University--to my untrained eye, it was impressive. understaffed and underutilized because of staffing. They would like to do soil testing on a commercial basis for school revenue but understaffing prevents
GRAIN WAREHOUSE-visited on Saturday am. Part of National network. Govt wh but private operation, I think. Grains handled are Maize, cowpeas, sorghum, pigion peas(25% protein)--sesame seed, millett, sunflowers. Warehouse receives from chains buying stations, puts in 50kg bags(110 lbs) and then loads in side loading box cars and ships to the networks port in Nacala. They offload, clean and light condition,rebag and export. Lots of labor but MZ has labor.
My water intake has increased dramatically. Coca Cola is everywhere. Beer is universal, as is chicken and beef. FAC(university) is apparently on a shoe string. Repairs to farm machinery are rationed and all but most runimentary require DEAN level approval.
WATER daily usage----Drink only bottled water. Also only use bottle d water on tooth brush, shaving creme etc. A little cumbersome.
SLEEPING-Have a mosquito net in bedroom of apt. This is different.
TV-None
LIVING SPACE-Very good, except no AC--fans suffices.
ROADS-all dirt---like the Mississippi Cotton Pickin Delta Town, One Lonely Steet to Walk up and Down
EATING-Have really cut back--make sure I get my vitamins and malaria pills
VIsited an agronomy lab at University--to my untrained eye, it was impressive. understaffed and underutilized because of staffing. They would like to do soil testing on a commercial basis for school revenue but understaffing prevents
GRAIN WAREHOUSE-visited on Saturday am. Part of National network. Govt wh but private operation, I think. Grains handled are Maize, cowpeas, sorghum, pigion peas(25% protein)--sesame seed, millett, sunflowers. Warehouse receives from chains buying stations, puts in 50kg bags(110 lbs) and then loads in side loading box cars and ships to the networks port in Nacala. They offload, clean and light condition,rebag and export. Lots of labor but MZ has labor.
My water intake has increased dramatically. Coca Cola is everywhere. Beer is universal, as is chicken and beef. FAC(university) is apparently on a shoe string. Repairs to farm machinery are rationed and all but most runimentary require DEAN level approval.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Local Market efficiency
Came past a open market on Thursday am on way to the school. In conversation with Greg, the farm manager, learned that this is open every day and that some of the supply comes from individuals who arrive from Nampula on the train and have picked up produce on the way and resell it in the market. So, an interesting piece of entrepenuership(sp) here. The utility of time and place.
CROPS AND WATER-MZ
One of the strange issues here in MZ is that there is an abundance of rainfall in the rainy season(winter, NovDec-FebMar. And this is the growing season for the major crops. From what I can determine, rainfall is normally from 36-48 inchs. More than our normal in Illinois where I am from. Certainly more than this year.
However, this water has to be "used" on the spot, so to speak. There is no real reservoir or method to hold the water to save for later times, like now when there is apparently a deficit. So, all of the animals that depend on grazing during this time of year, are not doing well. The dogs, which many of us hold sacred in US are pitiful looking. Lots of ribs showing.
The water problem would seem to have a partial solution but this involves money which is not readily available in MZ. My focus is basically the bean, so the weather is not a variable that I can control. Reservoirs and such are major public works and would need the state(country) to provide funds. I am told that the central government of MZ itself gets a substantial amount of its budget from grants, loans, etc. I am sure there is more to learn on this but I have heard as much as 50% of the MZ national government budget are from outside sources. This is pretty amazing to me.
Jim Traub
However, this water has to be "used" on the spot, so to speak. There is no real reservoir or method to hold the water to save for later times, like now when there is apparently a deficit. So, all of the animals that depend on grazing during this time of year, are not doing well. The dogs, which many of us hold sacred in US are pitiful looking. Lots of ribs showing.
The water problem would seem to have a partial solution but this involves money which is not readily available in MZ. My focus is basically the bean, so the weather is not a variable that I can control. Reservoirs and such are major public works and would need the state(country) to provide funds. I am told that the central government of MZ itself gets a substantial amount of its budget from grants, loans, etc. I am sure there is more to learn on this but I have heard as much as 50% of the MZ national government budget are from outside sources. This is pretty amazing to me.
Jim Traub
Wednesday 12Sept12--530pm MZ time 1030 am Illinois time
Toured the University Farm today. Lots of issues in how to go forward with mission of the farm. Will hear more tomoro on what detail and area I need to pursue. Saw soybean stubble and it is rock hard. Harvest was about 90 days ago. No tillage that I can tell since that time. Tentative plan is for corn(maize), soy, peas. The type of pea has a long root and can bring some resemblence of tilth to the soil. Several other programs going on.
University funding is all student fees(tuitions) as I understand. So revenue must be brought in to Unviersity via grants or via farm revenue or something. There are problems with assuring basic repairs are done, as I understand. An interesting dynamic for sure.
Toured the University Farm today. Lots of issues in how to go forward with mission of the farm. Will hear more tomoro on what detail and area I need to pursue. Saw soybean stubble and it is rock hard. Harvest was about 90 days ago. No tillage that I can tell since that time. Tentative plan is for corn(maize), soy, peas. The type of pea has a long root and can bring some resemblence of tilth to the soil. Several other programs going on.
University funding is all student fees(tuitions) as I understand. So revenue must be brought in to Unviersity via grants or via farm revenue or something. There are problems with assuring basic repairs are done, as I understand. An interesting dynamic for sure.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Transportation and Arrival
12 Sept 12. 0630am in MZ---11:30 pm on 11 Sept in Illinois.
Arrived Cuambo, my home for the next week at about 330pm 11 Sept, after 10 hour train ride through beautiful country. Mountains, plains, 15-20 stops over the time. Each stop had local vendors selling chickens, bananas, tomatos, onions, mangos, roasted white corn in the shuck and on the cob etc through the train windows to the passengers. Marketing at its most direct and efficient. 70% of people in MZ depend on production agriculture for living. There is a rainy winter season and if no rain occurs, the country must import food.
This is a former Portuguese colony, only20-30 years removed from a war of independence and a civi war. Our alternative transport Tuesday was an unpaved road. They are working on paving. So expeect improvements.
Today, I meet with the University farm manager and the academic and administrative side of the unviersity. Finally on the job after 4 days of travel.
Jim Traub
Arrived Cuambo, my home for the next week at about 330pm 11 Sept, after 10 hour train ride through beautiful country. Mountains, plains, 15-20 stops over the time. Each stop had local vendors selling chickens, bananas, tomatos, onions, mangos, roasted white corn in the shuck and on the cob etc through the train windows to the passengers. Marketing at its most direct and efficient. 70% of people in MZ depend on production agriculture for living. There is a rainy winter season and if no rain occurs, the country must import food.
This is a former Portuguese colony, only20-30 years removed from a war of independence and a civi war. Our alternative transport Tuesday was an unpaved road. They are working on paving. So expeect improvements.
Today, I meet with the University farm manager and the academic and administrative side of the unviersity. Finally on the job after 4 days of travel.
Jim Traub
Friday, September 7, 2012
Preparing for Trip to MZ (Mozambique)
It is Friday night 7 September and I am preparing to leave Saturday for Mozambique(MZ). MZ is in SE Africa, bordered on the east by the Indian Ocean and west of the Island of Madigaskar(sp). Purpose of trip is to prepare a feasability study for a Catholic University in the northern MZ town of Cuamba. They have a 300 A(740 ha) university farm that has been used for teaching and they want to explore and generate revenue and soybeans are now in the rotation. Formerly it was a monoculture of corn(maize). The study is to examine revenue options. Cash sales, manufacture to soyfood or a combination. My understanding is that diets are low in protein and soyfoods can be an aid to raising the dietary protein. Have not been to Africa before. Should get there around 7am Chicago time on Monday. Have a 15 hour layover in Frankfort and Lufthansa is on strike so should be interesting.
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