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The Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) is one of the departments in the Ministry of Agriculture. It has its headquarters at Mount Makulu Central Research Station in Chilanga with network of 10 research stations; at least one in each province, except Muchinga. In addition, ZARI also has about 5 trial assessment sites in 5 districts, namely; Mpika,
Mbala, Sesheke, Kaoma and Mambwe. The primary mandate of ZARI is to conduct integrated research in soil, water and crops generate appropriate technologies. ZARI carries out its research and technology dissemination activities in all the three agro-ecological regions of the country.
Vision
To be a centre of excellence, providing scientific leadership in the generation and transfer of improved and appropriate
technologies through partnerships involving stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Mission Statement
ZARI’s mission is to contribute to the welfare of the Zambian people through the provision of technologies and knowledge that enhance household food security and equitable income-generating opportunities for the farming community and agricultural enterprises while ensuring the maintenance of
the natural resource base.
Overall Objective
The overall objective is to generate and adapt crop and soil technologies in order to increase agricultural productivity and diversify production. This includes the development of low cost sustainable farming systems for all major agro-ecological zones and farm sizes. This would ensure the provision of a high quality, appropriate and cost effective service to farmers.
The station comprises four major technical divisions and support services as follows.
· Soil and Water Management Division
The programmes under this division are:
Soil testing laboratory
Soil fertility research
Agroforestry promotion.
Soil and land capability assessments (in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture)
· Crop Improvement and Agronomy Division
The programmes under this division are
Root and Tuber research (cassava, sweet potato, yams and Irish potatoes)
Food Legumes research (groundnuts and beans)
· Farming Systems and Social Sciences Division
The major programmes are
Socio-economic research
Nutrition
Agronomic Demonstrations and Outreach
This mainly comprises
Entomology (insect pest and weed management)
Pathology (surveillance of crop diseases)
The station has great potential in the area of provision of high quality basic seed of improved crop varieties. These include
GMO Testing
Soil Testing
Fertilizer Analysis.
· (Change this ) Seed Certification and Control Institute (SCCI)
The station also hosts the Seed Certification and Control Institute, a sister department which offers the following services:
Seed sellers’ registration and licensing
Premises and field inspections
Seed analysis laboratory
National variety release trials
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