Msekera Research Station

1.            INTRODUCTION

• Msekera Agricultural Research Institute is located on the eastern Plateau of Zambia and is situated 12 km west of Chipata (2km off Great East Road). The station falls under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives–Zambia Agricultural Research Institute whose overall objective is to generate and adapt Crops and Soils 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. Msekera falls under agro-ecological region II–medium rain fall (800-1000 mm per annum).

  Masumba Technology Assessment Site (agro-ecological – region I (<800 mm per annum) in Mambwe district also falls under Msekera Research Station.

2.            HISTORY

• 1. Historical background

   

  The site at Msekera was opened in the early 1930’s as an extension base for the Province and was transferred to Research Branch on 1^st July, 1962.  It is from that time when most buildings which stand here started to be built.

   

  2. Location of Station

   

  The Station is located about 12km due West of Chipata Township, in between the Great East Road and the Msoro Road.  Its approximate co-ordinates are Latitude 13^o 39’ N and Longitude 32^o 34’ E and covers an area of about 406 ha at an altitude of 1016 metres.  The Msekera Stream made perennial by an earth dam flows through the station.

   

  3. Present Object of the Station

   

  The prime object of the Station is to carry out Research in the following three disciplines:

   

  a).      Basic crop nutrition

  b).      New crop and variety improvement

  c).    Improved crop husbandry techniques with a view to making crop recommendations for Eastern Province.

   

  Besides this, there are three other branches of Research based at the station.  These are the Soil Survey Unit which is responsible for all reconnaissance, semi detailed and detailed soil surveys in the Province, the Food Conservation and Storage Unit, which is charged with the responsibility of teaching and advising on improved methods of Food Storage in the Province and another quartz – Government Organization, the National Council for Scientific Research which is here to monitor ways and means of controlling East Coast fever.

   

  4. Climate

   

  At Msekera, rainy season extends from November to April, the rainfall averaging to 1092 mm followed by dry cool season from may to August and a hot spell with low humidity and high sunshine hours in September and October.  The climate is thus Tropical Continental.

   

  5. Soils

   

  Four main soil types have been identified:-

   

  a).      Msekera Clay (36 ha) is a deep well drained red clay soil.  It occurs on the more elevated parts with slopes ranging from 0-3%.

   

  A ‘Stone line’ of mainly quartz, about 10-15cm thick may be found at a depth ranging from 10-100cm.  pH is slightly to medium.

   

  b).      Msekera sandy soil (163) ha).  Is similar to (a) above, but differs in having sandy clay top soil an in slope.  Slopes range from 3-5%.  They occur on intermediate position between the elevated parts and the dambo soils.  Few gravels are found on the surface and some Fe-Mn coated gravels below 80cm.

   

  The slopes on those soils have necessitated the construction contours to prevent soil erosion.  It is here where they preserve major research work is being carried out.

   

  c).      Msekera sandy clay, sloping (11 ha)

   

  also similar to (a) but differs in texture of the surface soil and the texture of the top soil is sandy clay.  Slopes range from 5-8%, posing a severe risk of erosion.  This soil is at present under natural vegetation.

   

  d).      Msekera sandy clay loam (53 ha)

   

  Similar to (a) but the texture of the top soil is sandy clay loam, though in some places it may be sandy loam in the upper parts.  Slopes are from 3-5%.  The soil is easier to work because of light top soil texture.

   

  The total arable land is about 268 ha while the non – arable is about 138 ha on the station.

   

  MASUMBA RESEARCH SUB-STATION

   

  This station is located some 100km North West of Chipata.  It is bounded by the New Masumba Airport road on the West, the Masumba – Mnkhanya road on the South and the Chipata – Kakumbi road on the North.

   

  It is approximate co-ordinates are Latitude 13o 161S and Longitude 37o 581E an altitude of about 550 m and on an area of about 250 ha.

  Out of 250 ha only about 48 ha are most suitable for climatically adapted crops such as Sorghum, Millet, Groundnuts, selected vegetables, Citrus, Cotton etc.  Most of the land is flood-hazard, may be suitable for rice.

  Conclusion

  The soils at Msekera are generally representative of the plateau areas while those at Masumba represent the whole valley area.

  For further details, please contact us and we shall be at your aid.

STATION RESEARCH PROGRAMS

1.Agro-forestry ( National mandate)

2.Food-Legumes Team (National mandate)

3.Farming Systems Research Team (Provincial)

4.Plant Protection & Quarantine

5.Soil fertility

6.Maize

7.Seed Control & Certification

8.Agro-meteorology

9.Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary services

3.            VISION

To be the centre of excellence in providing scientific leadership in generating and transferring improved and appropriate technologies through partnerships with stakeholders and beneficiaries.

4.            MISSION STATEMENT

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.

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