Mount Makulu Central Research Station

1.            INTRODUCTION

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.

2.            HISTORY

3.            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.

4.            MISSION STATEMENT

To contribute to to thewelfare 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.

1. EXISTING PROGRAMMES

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

·      Plant Protection and Quarantine Division

This mainly comprises

• Entomology (insect pest and weed management)

• Pathology (surveillance of crop diseases)

·      Basic Seed Provision

The station has great potential in the area of provision of high quality basic seed of improved crop varieties. These include

• Cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines

• Groundnut and bean basic seed.

• Agroforestry seed and seedlings.

·      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

Zambia Agriculture Research Institute

Mount Makulu Central Research Station

Private Bag 7

Chilanga

Telephone: CHILANGA (+260 211) 278380/278141/278130

Fax: +260 211 278130

Email: zamdirector@gov.zm