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KEY CHALLENGES, EASTERN PROVINCE, ZAMBIA

KEY CHALLENGES, EASTERN PROVINCE, ZAMBIA. Mr. Michael Ngulube, DACO, Chipata Mr. Stalin Sichinga, ARO, ZARI. INTRODUCTION. Zambia has an area of 750,000 km 2 with about 13 million people. 90,000 km 2 land is arable Only 14% is cropped in any year.

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KEY CHALLENGES, EASTERN PROVINCE, ZAMBIA

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  1. KEY CHALLENGES, EASTERN PROVINCE, ZAMBIA Mr. Michael Ngulube, DACO, Chipata Mr. Stalin Sichinga, ARO, ZARI

  2. INTRODUCTION • Zambia has an area of 750,000 km2 with about 13 million people. • 90,000 km2 land is arable • Only 14% is cropped in any year. • About 55 - 60% of the land area is covered by natural forest • 6% of Zambia’s land surface is covered by water.

  3. Region I <800mmRegion II a & II b 800 -1000mmRegion III 1000 - 1500mm

  4. INTRODUCTION contd • Social wellbeing and economic development in Zambia is strongly linked with productivity growth in agriculture and sustainable management of farming systems. • Maize is the main staple food crop grown widely in the country and critical for ensuring food security for the poor.

  5. Constraints in Zambian Farming Systems • Negative effects of climate change • Soil degradation • Unavailability of improved varieties • Dysfunctional input-output markets • Pests and diseases • Limited draft power and farm implements

  6. To address some constraints in Zambian farming systems, Feed the Future through IITA, is implementing Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia (SIMLEZA) which focuses: • Productivity: Maize-legume systems agronomy and breeding. • Nutrition focus: Soya processing and utilization. • Capacity building of national agricultural research systems.

  7. To address some constraints in Zambian farming systems, Feed the Future through IITA, is implementingSustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia (SIMLEZA) which focuses: • Productivity: Maize-legume systems agronomy and breeding. • Nutrition focus: Soya processing and utilization. • Capacity building of national agricultural research systems.

  8. SIMLEZA Project Sites • On-farm activities • Chipata District: Chanje and Chiparamba camps • Katete District: Kafumbwe and Kawalala camp • Lundazi District: Hoya and Vuu camp • On-station activities • Msekera, GART, Kabwe, Misamfu.

  9. Challenges • The legumes selected are at the bottom of the farmers’ priority. • The community is uncertain of the market for the seed to be multiplied. • Farmers are not aware of the market (outlet) for the produce. • Farmers largely use the cowpeas leaves as vegetables and not the grain. There is therefore for a market for the grain • Equipment for processing is rare and the current one for groundnut processing demands a lot of energy.

  10. Challenges contd • Some pre released varieties of the cowpeas are high yielding but not preferred by farmers. • Use of dibble stick required more labour. Farmers preferred using a ripper for CA. • Coordination between partners • Communication between implementers and other stakeholders • Calendar of events not properly followed (short notice of important meetings) • Some farmers are not able to read and write and therefore miss out on data.

  11. Possible solutions • Proper planning in early October for all the field activities • Design of a calendar of events and activities • Discussion on best ways on flow of funds (CIMMYT and IITA manage one project) • Follow up needs to improve (both organizations hired research assistants)

  12. Thank you for your attention

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