Velvet bean (Mucuna Pruriens)
Velvet bean is a valuable fodder and feed legume. Vines and foliage can be used as pasture, hay or silage for ruminants while pods and seeds can be ground into a meal and fed to both ruminants and monogastrics (Chikagwa-Malunga et al., 2009d; Eilittä et al., 2003). Pods with their seeds can be ground into a rich protein meal and can be fed to all classes of livestock though in limited amounts in monogastrics (Chikagwa-Malunga et al., 2009d).
Velvet bean is suitable in intercropping systems where it is grown with maize (Cook et al., 2005), pearl millet, sorghum or sugarcane for support (Göhl, 1982). The crop gives reliable yields in dry farming and low soil fertility conditions that do not allow the profitable cultivation of most other food legumes (Buckles et al., 1998). Velvet bean yields range from 10 to 35 t green material/ha and from 250 to 3300 kg seeds/ha depending on the cultivation conditions (Ecocrop, 2011).
Harvesting of velvet bean pods can start as soon as they start turning from green to dark brown or black; in Malaysia this is possible 215 to 255 days after sowing. Pods are harvested by hand (Wulijarni-Soetjipto et al., 1997).
Grazed pasture
Animals can enter the sward after the pods have matured. In Hawai, grazing 170 to 220 days after sowing resulted in yields of 19 t/ha of green forage and 3.85 t/ha of seeds (Takahashi et al., 1949 cited by FAO, 2011).
Cut forage
When velvet bean is intended for forage, it may be harvested when the pods are still young, usually between 90-120 days after sowing (Wulijarni-Soetjipto et al., 1997; Ravindran, 1988). Harvesting at about 120 days after planting resulted in the best combination of biomass yield and nutritive value (Chikagwa-Malunga et al., 2009a). In Malaysia, the first harvest for fodder can be done 2 months after sowing. A cutting interval of 5 weeks and cutting at a height of 30 cm provides a reasonable yield of forage of adequate quality (Wulijarni-Soetjipto et al., 1997). Yields of green fodder may be up to 20-35 t/ha resulting in 8.2-16.4 t DM/ha (Ecocrop, 2011).
Hay
Because of its dense matted growth, velvet bean is difficult to harvest and cure for hay (FAO, 2011). Yields of hay average 2.8-3.6 t/ha (Ecocrop, 2011).
Silage
Velvet beans may be cultivated for silage, but they are hard to harvest and flail-type harvesters do a better job than mowing machines. Velvet bean can be grown in mixture and ensiled in combination with a grain crop, maize being the usual choice but sorghum is also a possibility, or with grasses such as Napier grass (Contreras-Govea et al., 2009; Mbuthia et al., 2003). However, because velvet beans are diffcult to harvest, it is also recommended to grow them and the companion crop separately and then mixing when ensiling (FAO, 2011).
The Difference Between Purpose, Assignment, and Calling
Many people use these three words interchangeably, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference helps you walk with greater clarity.
1. Purpose — Why You Exist
Purpose is the reason for your existence.
It answers the question: “Why was I created?”
Your purpose is your divine design — the eternal intention of God for your life. It is the big picture of what your life is meant to represent.
For example:
You may be created to reveal God’s love, bring healing, raise leaders, or bring transformation to a generation.
Scripture:
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand..." — Ephesians 2:10
Purpose is usually broad and lifelong.
2. Calling — Who God Has Called You to Become
Calling is God’s invitation into a specific identity and relationship with Him.
It answers: “Who has God called me to be?”
Before God calls you to do something, He calls you to become someone.
Examples of calling:
Called as a teacher
Called as a prophet
Called as a leader
Called as an intercessor
Called to ministry
Called to business with kingdom influence
Calling is connected to your identity, office, and spiritual placement.
Scripture:
"Many are called, but few are chosen." — Matthew 22:14
Calling shapes your life’s direction.
3. Assignment — What God Has Sent You to Do Right Now
Assignment is the specific task, season, or instruction God gives you.
It answers: “What am I sent to do now?”
Assignments are often seasonal and can change.
For example:
Preaching at a conference
Starting a prayer group
Writing a book
Mentoring certain people
Serving in a local church
Jesus had many assignments, but all of them served His greater purpose.
John the Baptist’s assignment was to prepare the way for Christ.
Assignments are usually time-sensitive.
In Simple Terms
Purpose = Your reason for existence
Calling = Your divine identity
Assignment = Your present task
Think of it like this:
A person’s purpose may be to transform lives.
Their calling may be as a teacher.
Their current assignment may be to mentor 12 young leaders.
A Deep Truth
You can be active in an assignment and still not fully understand your purpose.
You can know your calling but miss your assignment for a season.
Wisdom is knowing what season you are in.
Purpose gives meaning.
Calling gives direction.
Assignment gives expression.
That’s why not every good opportunity is your assignment, and not every assignment defines your ultimate purpose.
When preparing your PhD defence, read your thesis again and highlight:
• Limitations of quantitative (and or qualitative) analysis
• Main contribution to your field
• Justifications for methods
• Essential literature
• Crucial methods
• Vital keywords
• Takeaways
Heavenly Father,
Your Word in Book of Genesis 1:1 reminds us that in the beginning You created the heavens and the earth. Today we pause to acknowledge You as the Creator of all things and the author of our lives.
Lord, as this Friday begins, we place our plans, our work, and our dreams into Your hands. The same power that created the universe is the power that guides and sustains us each day. Order our steps, renew our strength, and fill our hearts with wisdom and peace.
Where there is confusion, bring clarity.
Where there is weakness, bring strength.
Where there are challenges, remind us that nothing is too hard for You.
May this day be filled with Your presence, favor, and divine opportunities. Let everything we do bring glory to You, and may we walk confidently knowing that the God who created the beginning is also in control of our future.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
One powerful lesson we can learn from the story of Hannah and Peninnah is how to handle pain, provocation, and delay in life.
The Bible tells us that both women were married to Elkanah, but their situations were very different. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. In those days, barrenness was seen as a disgrace, and Peninnah used Hannah’s situation to mock and provoke her year after year.
Imagine living in a house where someone constantly reminds you of what you do not have. Imagine carrying a deep desire in your heart while another person keeps rubbing your pain in your face. The Bible says Peninnah provoked Hannah severely in order to irritate her because the Lord had closed her womb.
But here is the powerful thing about Hannah: she did not allow her pain to turn her into a bitter person.
Yes, she cried. Yes, she was deeply hurt. Yes, the pain was real. But instead of fighting Peninnah, instead of becoming hateful or revengeful, Hannah took her pain to God.
She turned her pain into prayer.
Every year when they went to the house of the Lord, Hannah carried her tears to the altar. She poured out her soul before God. Her prayer was so deep and intense that the priest Eli initially thought she was drunk because her lips were moving but no sound was coming out.
But Hannah explained that she was not drunk; she was simply pouring out her heart before the Lord.
This is a powerful lesson for all of us.
Life will sometimes place you in situations where people provoke you, misunderstand you, or mock you because of something you are believing God for. Some people will measure your life based on what you have not yet received.
But the story of Hannah teaches us something important: when people provoke you, let it push you into prayer instead of bitterness.
Turn your pain into prayer.
Turn your pain into praise.
Turn your tears into prayer.
Hannah did not give up praying. She continued seeking God until something shifted. And the beautiful thing is that before the answer even came, the Bible says her countenance changed. The peace of God filled her heart.
Later, God remembered Hannah and blessed her with a son, Samuel, who would grow up to become one of the greatest prophets in Israel.
This means the very place of her shame became the place of her testimony.
What if Hannah had allowed Peninnah’s provocation to push her away from God?
What if she had chosen bitterness instead of prayer?
Some of the greatest miracles are born in seasons of persistent prayer and tears before God.
So whatever pain you are carrying today, do not let it destroy you. Let it drive you to God.
Turn your pain into prayer.
Turn your pain into praise.
Turn your tears into prayer.
Just like Hannah, pray until heaven answers. Your season of tears will not last forever. One day, your story will become a testimony of God’s faithfulness. 🙏
“We’ve given away our power to the political class, and we expect people less competent than we are to drive our future — there is something wrong with us, not them.” — Shingai Mutasa, Masawara Plc Group CEO. Watch👉🏿https://t.co/g8B0brp393 #IdeasFestival2025
Gender equality? But, is boy child part of the equation?
There was a time boy child was prioritized and girl child was neglected. That was wrong.
We are at time, girl child is prioritized and boy child is neglected. This is equally wrong. Although difficult to see because boy child will try to fight for himself. Today, women's banks, organizations, government ministries, none for boy child.
Is it really equality or it's girl child empowerment, but no equality for boy child.
Simple daily example, how the society has accepted that its okay for a woman to hit a man but not vice-versa, my point is both cases are wrong. Boy and girl child are made of flesh, soul and have feelings.
It's okay for a woman to be mad, to cry, to easily ask for help. Boy child is made to suffer depression alone, they end up in substance abuse and other harmful behaviors as coping mechanisms, at the end boy child contributes much higher rates of suicide cases. Are we not neglecting boy child?
Rape, have you noticed, word only applies when the victim is girl child? But can the victim be boy child too?, what about the false rape accusations? All I'm asking for is, balance.
In Zimbabwe, at primary level, the proportion of children out of school is higher for boy child 3,8 % as compared to girl child 3,4 %. (2024). According to UNESCO, boy child is lagging in education worldwide. This shift has to be dealt with immediately, both gender need to be prioritized.
Historically, girl child faced significant barriers to education, employment, and equal opportunities. That was wrong. Addressing these challenges has been and continues to be important. However, the progress made in empowering girls should not overshadow the need to support boys. Ensuring both boys and girls have access to opportunities and resources is essential for a balanced and equitable society.
The gender gap has to be closed, not widen.
Good evening ladies and gentlemen
I have just finished watching this documentary film on the history of colonial Rhodesia and the war between the Rhodesian forces and the liberation armies of ZANLA and ZIPRA.
The Rhodesian Air Force had 70 aircraft, making it the second-largest air force in Sub-Saharan Africa, second only to the South African Air Force.
Fascinating documentary film showing the major airforce executions and how the liberation armies were fighting back.
This is masterclass lecture on Artificial Intelligence, Africa, and the Global South’s place in AI, revealing mind-blowing insights, including how the generative AI economy is already bigger than the entire African continent’s GDP.
It was delivered with intellectual authority by Prof Arthur Mutambara at the launch of his new book Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Drivers, Enablers and Strategic Framework.
Prof Mutambara is the Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge (IFK) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa.
You should RETWEET this, and if you are too busy to watch it now, bookmark it. It is a MUST-watch—you will thank me later.