Soil & Water Management

The Soil and Water Management Division (SWMD) is one of the four technical divisions in the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI). It is headed by a Chief Agriculture Research Officer (CARO) who reports to the Deputy Director-Technical Services (DD-TS). The division comprises 3 major research programmes:

Soils
Agroforestry
Irrigation Engineering

However, the Soils Research Programme comprises six research teams, namely, Soil Fertility, Soil Microbiology, Soil Survey Soil Physics and Soil Chemistry. The headquarters for the Soils Research Programme is located at Mt Makulu Central Research Station in Chilanga, for the Agroforestry Research Programme, it is located at Msekera Research Station in Chipata and for the Irrigation Engineering Research Programme, it is located at the National Irrigation Research Station in Mazabuka.

The Mandate

The SWMD is responsible for the development and promotion of appropriate soil and water management technologies that are aimed at improved and sustainable crop production and at the same time protecting the environment from degradation. In pursuant of its mandate, the SWMD has the following objectives:

To develop appropriate agronomic packages and technologies for sustained crop production.
To develop and maintain an inventory of the different soils and agricultural land that can be used for planning purposes.
To strengthen research/extension/farmer linkages in order to ensure a participatory approach to the development of the divisions’ soils and water research agenda.
To ensure that the specific soil and water constraints of the small-scale and resource poor farmers are addressed.

Activities

The activities include, conducting research and promoting the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers to combat the general decline in soil fertility, promoting the use of inoculant in soybeans, surveying and carrying out land evaluation of the different soils in order to establish their suitability for the production of the different crops. The division executes some activities in conservation agriculture in order to conserve and build up the fertility of the soils.

Agroforestry research activities are aimed at improving the fertility of the soil too, the Division does this through activities like multi-purpose tree growing and maintenance, inter-cropping and crop rotations, improve fallows for regenerating the fertility status of the soil, research in the use of green and kraal manures as fertilizers, promoting the use of bio-fertilizers e.g. inoculants, development of soil specific fertilizer recommendations as opposed to the use of blanket recommendations, quantification of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of green manures (GM) in order to know how much nitrogen is added to the soil by different GMs, screening of GM species for the different agro-ecological regions (see Agro-ecological regions map of Zambia) and quantification of fertilizer equivalency of various plant organic materials.

The existence and development of acidic soils in some areas of Zambia (region III and some parts of Central and Southern provinces) has made crop production difficult, the pH in these soils could be as low as 3.5 to 4, in order to combat this acidity and raise the productivity of these soils, the division carries research and field plot demonstration activities aimed at promoting the use of lime in these soils.

Due to the fact that rainfall cannot be depended upon to deliver the right amount of water at the right place and at the right time, the nation has consciously decided to pursue irrigation development in order to stabilize agricultural production generally and crop production specifically. The SWMD tests and promotes the use of cheap and affordable drip-irrigation systems, and water lifting devices e.g. treadle pumps, develops irrigation scheduling technologies for various crops e.g. wheat and some vegetables, and tree crops, carries out investigations in the use of waste-water for irrigation purposes, monitors the quality of irrigation water.

Achievements

The Treadle pump was found suitable and popular as a water-lifting device for small-scale irrigation.
Arabica Coffee production suitability map produced.
Field extension guide on the use of Sesbania sesban for improved fallow and soil restoration published.
Nampundwe lime was launched as a viable liming material for agricultural purposes.
Artisan drip and bucket irrigation systems were tested and introduced among small scale farmers.
Country wide farm demonstrations on the benefits of were carried out on small scale biofertiliser. The soil inventory computer based database was also created.
The Magoye ripper a minimum tillage implement has been developed and recommended for small scale farmers. This implement is three times more labour saving than ordinary conventional tillage.
It has been established that deep rooted and coppicing trees can be used to capture and ‘pump up’ nutrients from soil depth to the root zone of cultivated crops.
It has been found that maize must be basal dressed with NPKS at planting or at 3-leaf stage and top-dressed initially at 8 leaf stage and the second split at 12-leaf stage.
It has been established that maize varieties MM504, MM603 and MM 502 have good water use efficiency.
The Nakambala soil series is now fully characterised for both its soil physical and chemical properties.
Sorghum and pearl millet are the crops to be grown in region I of Zambia rather than maize because they have a superior water use efficiency.
It has been established that Innoculant can be stored under room temperature, as opposed to the traditional way of storing it in the fridge. This means that small-scale farmers with no fridges are able to keep the innoculant in their homes with out it losing its potency.

Linkages
The SWMD as it carries out its mandate, has developed many important linkages with various stakeholders, some of the linkages are highlighted below.

Soil fertility improvement using improved fallows and green manures
Agroforestry nurseries have been established to provide seed for improved fallows and green manures.

In eastern province Tephrosia vogelii and Sesbania sesban seed is being produced at Farmer Training Centres and farmers’ fields totaling 20 ha with an estimated seed of 5 tonnes. The seed is being sold by farmers to other farmers.

At Kasisi Mission seed of velvet bean, sunhemp and pigeon pea is being multiplied for all categories of farmers.

Irrigation Engineering
In Collaboration, the Technical Services Branch of the Department of Field Services and the Agricultural Engineering Team, carried out installation of in low head drip irrigation kits for small scale farmers in Luapula, Copperbelt, North-Western and Northern provinces. In total 4 bucket kits and 4 drum kits were installed in these provinces while one bucket and one drum kits were installed at Nanga Research Station. Over 200 farmers visited the water lifting Treadle pump irrigation sites.

Field days
Joint research/extension/NGO field days were held in Eastern Province with World Vision International, Lutheran World International. The Farm Power and Machinery Research had a joint field day with GART, Seed Companies, farmers and Lonrho Cotton.

Training
At the request of the Soil Conservation and Agroforestry Extension Project (SCAFE) 20 frontline field extension staff from Central Province were trained in agroforestry methodologies/technologies in Kabwe from 23 – 27 August, 1999

The Division presented an update of recommendations and technologies in soil fertility to 25 Crop Husbandry Officers during their planning workshop in Livingstone 5 – 11 September, 1999. The officers were drawn from Central, Lusaka and Southern Provinces.

The Division participated in the Farmer Field Schools training of trainers in Soil and Plant sampling procedures, testing and soils/crops advisory on 21 and 22 September, 1999.

Researchers from the Agricultural Engineering Research Team acted as resource persons in the training of trainers in the Small Scale Water Utilization Programme (SUWIP) of the Technical Services Branch (TSBF) of the Department of Field Services (DoFS). 31 TSB staff and 37 farmers from five provinces were trained. A Researcher, Mr Kamuti has since won a one month scholarship in irrigation to Israel on a joint Scholarship by DoFS and the Israeli government.

On-farm research
There are 3000 on-farm demonstrations and evaluation of agroforestry technologies in Eastern Province. Dissemination of these technologies to farmers is through demonstrations, distribution of pamphletes and leaflets in local and English languages, and by Radio Station Maria.

A Participatory Diognosis of Constraints and Opportunities (PDCO) in soil fertility and crop production among small-scale farmers (initiated by FAO) is being conducted at Kanchindu and Muziyo in Sinazongwe District, at Njola and Haatontola in Monze District and at Mapangazya in Mazabuka. The diagnosis covers 15 households. Collaboration is between research, district extension personnel and farmers.

Characterization of inoculant use by small-scale farmers has taken place in Kasama and Mungwi in Northern Province, Mkushi in Central, Mpongwe on the Copperbelt, Mazabuka and Magoye in Southern and Katete and Chipata in Eastern Provinces. Day-to-day supervision is done by the frontline extension staff of MAFF.

Soil Crops Advisory
A total of 1012 plant and soil samples translating into 4742 different types of analysis were handled by the plant and soil laboratories. Fifty percent of these samples came from farmers for advisory purposes.

Regional and International Participation and Collaboration

The Division participates in regional and international research projects and programmes. These will include collaboration with CIMMYT in research project on promoting conservation farming in southern Africa, it part of the Soil Fertility Consortium in Southern Africa (SOFECSA) promoting best bet intervention to improve soil fertility. It is a member of the Steering Committee of the SADC-Land and Water Management Programme, it participates in a regional research efforts aimed at alleviating the effects of climate change on small-holder farmers funded by IDRC, the Division is also in involved in a SADC-FIRCOP project aimed a promoting conservation agriculture in southern Africa.

Publications

Reconnaissance/Semi-Detailed Semi-Quantified Land Evaluation System For Non-Irrigated (Rainfed) Agriculture,1987
National Agriculture Action Plan, 1991
Development of Cover Crop Based Farming Systems In Zambia-Progress Report,2005.
Zambia-Memoir Accompanying the Exloratory Map Of Zambia, 2001.
Manual on Sustainable Agriculture. In collaboration with JICA, 2007.

Contact address:

Mr. Prospard Gondwe
Ag. Chief Agricultural Research Officer
Zambia Agriculture Research Institue
Mt Makulu Central Research Station
Private Bag 7
Chilanga
ZAMBIA
Tel: +260-211-278380
Fax: +260-211-278130

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The division comprises 3 major research programmes: Soils Agroforestry Irrigation Engineering However, the Soils Research Programme comprises six research teams, namely, Soil Fertility, Soil Microbiology, Soil Survey Soil Physics and Soil Chemistry. The headquarters for the Soils Research Programme is located at Mt Makulu Central Research Station in Chilanga, for the Agroforestry Research Programme, it is located at Msekera Research Station in Chipata and for the Irrigation Engineering Research Programme, it is located at the National Irrigation Research Station in Mazabuka. The Mandate The SWMD is responsible for the development and promotion of appropriate soil and water management technologies that are aimed at improved and sustainable crop production and at the same time protecting the environment from degradation. In pursuant of its mandate, the SWMD has the following objectives: To develop appropriate agronomic packages and technologies for sustained crop production. To develop and maintain an inventory of the different soils and agricultural land that can be used for planning purposes. To strengthen research/extension/farmer linkages in order to ensure a participatory approach to the development of the divisions’ soils and water research agenda. To ensure that the specific soil and water constraints of the small-scale and resource poor farmers are addressed. Activities The activities include, conducting research and promoting the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers to combat the general decline in soil fertility, promoting the use of inoculant in soybeans, surveying and carrying out land evaluation of the different soils in order to establish their suitability for the production of the different crops. The division executes some activities in conservation agriculture in order to conserve and build up the fertility of the soils. Agroforestry research activities are aimed at improving the fertility of the soil too, the Division does this through activities like multi-purpose tree growing and maintenance, inter-cropping and crop rotations, improve fallows for regenerating the fertility status of the soil, research in the use of green and kraal manures as fertilizers, promoting the use of bio-fertilizers e.g. inoculants, development of soil specific fertilizer recommendations as opposed to the use of blanket recommendations, quantification of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of green manures (GM) in order to know how much nitrogen is added to the soil by different GMs, screening of GM species for the different agro-ecological regions (see Agro-ecological regions map of Zambia) and quantification of fertilizer equivalency of various plant organic materials. The existence and development of acidic soils in some areas of Zambia (region III and some parts of Central and Southern provinces) has made crop production difficult, the pH in these soils could be as low as 3.5 to 4, in order to combat this acidity and raise the productivity of these soils, the division carries research and field plot demonstration activities aimed at promoting the use of lime in these soils. Due to the fact that rainfall cannot be depended upon to deliver the right amount of water at the right place and at the right time, the nation has consciously decided to pursue irrigation development in order to stabilize agricultural production generally and crop production specifically. The SWMD tests and promotes the use of cheap and affordable drip-irrigation systems, and water lifting devices e.g. treadle pumps, develops irrigation scheduling technologies for various crops e.g. wheat and some vegetables, and tree crops, carries out investigations in the use of waste-water for irrigation purposes, monitors the quality of irrigation water. Achievements The Treadle pump was found suitable and popular as a water-lifting device for small-scale irrigation. Arabica Coffee production suitability map produced. Field extension guide on the use of Sesbania sesban for improved fallow and soil restoration published. Nampundwe lime was launched as a viable liming material for agricultural purposes. Artisan drip and bucket irrigation systems were tested and introduced among small scale farmers. Country wide farm demonstrations on the benefits of were carried out on small scale biofertiliser. The soil inventory computer based database was also created. The Magoye ripper a minimum tillage implement has been developed and recommended for small scale farmers. This implement is three times more labour saving than ordinary conventional tillage. It has been established that deep rooted and coppicing trees can be used to capture and ‘pump up’ nutrients from soil depth to the root zone of cultivated crops. It has been found that maize must be basal dressed with NPKS at planting or at 3-leaf stage and top-dressed initially at 8 leaf stage and the second split at 12-leaf stage. It has been established that maize varieties MM504, MM603 and MM 502 have good water use efficiency. The Nakambala soil series is now fully characterised for both its soil physical and chemical properties. Sorghum and pearl millet are the crops to be grown in region I of Zambia rather than maize because they have a superior water use efficiency. It has been established that Innoculant can be stored under room temperature, as opposed to the traditional way of storing it in the fridge. This means that small-scale farmers with no fridges are able to keep the innoculant in their homes with out it losing its potency. Linkages The SWMD as it carries out its mandate, has developed many important linkages with various stakeholders, some of the linkages are highlighted below. Soil fertility improvement using improved fallows and green manures Agroforestry nurseries have been established to provide seed for improved fallows and green manures. In eastern province Tephrosia vogelii and Sesbania sesban seed is being produced at Farmer Training Centres and farmers’ fields totaling 20 ha with an estimated seed of 5 tonnes. The seed is being sold by farmers to other farmers. At Kasisi Mission seed of velvet bean, sunhemp and pigeon pea is being multiplied for all categories of farmers. Irrigation Engineering In Collaboration, the Technical Services Branch of the Department of Field Services and the Agricultural Engineering Team, carried out installation of in low head drip irrigation kits for small scale farmers in Luapula, Copperbelt, North-Western and Northern provinces. In total 4 bucket kits and 4 drum kits were installed in these provinces while one bucket and one drum kits were installed at Nanga Research Station. Over 200 farmers visited the water lifting Treadle pump irrigation sites. Field days Joint research/extension/NGO field days were held in Eastern Province with World Vision International, Lutheran World International. The Farm Power and Machinery Research had a joint field day with GART, Seed Companies, farmers and Lonrho Cotton. Training At the request of the Soil Conservation and Agroforestry Extension Project (SCAFE) 20 frontline field extension staff from Central Province were trained in agroforestry methodologies/technologies in Kabwe from 23 – 27 August, 1999 The Division presented an update of recommendations and technologies in soil fertility to 25 Crop Husbandry Officers during their planning workshop in Livingstone 5 – 11 September, 1999. The officers were drawn from Central, Lusaka and Southern Provinces. The Division participated in the Farmer Field Schools training of trainers in Soil and Plant sampling procedures, testing and soils/crops advisory on 21 and 22 September, 1999. Researchers from the Agricultural Engineering Research Team acted as resource persons in the training of trainers in the Small Scale Water Utilization Programme (SUWIP) of the Technical Services Branch (TSBF) of the Department of Field Services (DoFS). 31 TSB staff and 37 farmers from five provinces were trained. A Researcher, Mr Kamuti has since won a one month scholarship in irrigation to Israel on a joint Scholarship by DoFS and the Israeli government. On-farm research There are 3000 on-farm demonstrations and evaluation of agroforestry technologies in Eastern Province. Dissemination of these technologies to farmers is through demonstrations, distribution of pamphletes and leaflets in local and English languages, and by Radio Station Maria. A Participatory Diognosis of Constraints and Opportunities (PDCO) in soil fertility and crop production among small-scale farmers (initiated by FAO) is being conducted at Kanchindu and Muziyo in Sinazongwe District, at Njola and Haatontola in Monze District and at Mapangazya in Mazabuka. The diagnosis covers 15 households. Collaboration is between research, district extension personnel and farmers. Characterization of inoculant use by small-scale farmers has taken place in Kasama and Mungwi in Northern Province, Mkushi in Central, Mpongwe on the Copperbelt, Mazabuka and Magoye in Southern and Katete and Chipata in Eastern Provinces. Day-to-day supervision is done by the frontline extension staff of MAFF. Soil Crops Advisory A total of 1012 plant and soil samples translating into 4742 different types of analysis were handled by the plant and soil laboratories. Fifty percent of these samples came from farmers for advisory purposes. Regional and International Participation and Collaboration The Division participates in regional and international research projects and programmes. These will include collaboration with CIMMYT in research project on promoting conservation farming in southern Africa, it part of the Soil Fertility Consortium in Southern Africa (SOFECSA) promoting best bet intervention to improve soil fertility. It is a member of the Steering Committee of the SADC-Land and Water Management Programme, it participates in a regional research efforts aimed at alleviating the effects of climate change on small-holder farmers funded by IDRC, the Division is also in involved in a SADC-FIRCOP project aimed a promoting conservation agriculture in southern Africa. Publications Reconnaissance/Semi-Detailed Semi-Quantified Land Evaluation System For Non-Irrigated (Rainfed) Agriculture,1987 National Agriculture Action Plan, 1991 Development of Cover Crop Based Farming Systems In Zambia-Progress Report,2005. Zambia-Memoir Accompanying the Exloratory Map Of Zambia, 2001. Manual on Sustainable Agriculture. In collaboration with JICA, 2007. Contact address: Mr. Prospard Gondwe Ag. Chief Agricultural Research Officer Zambia Agriculture Research Institue Mt Makulu Central Research Station Private Bag 7 Chilanga ZAMBIA Tel: +260-211-278380 Fax: +260-211-278130	Mission Statement To contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Zambian people through the provision of technologies & services that enhances household, food, security and equitable income generating opportunities for the farming community and agricultural enterprise.
		ZARI Head Quarters Mt. Makulu Central Research Station Private Bag 7 Chilanga. Tel: +260211278130/380 Fax: +260211278130/41 Email:mtmakulu@zamnet.zm Email:zaridirector@zari.gov.zm
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