Mongu Research Station

1.            INTRODUCTION

Mongu Research Station is located in Western Province of Zambia. Climatically, it falls under the agroecological region IIb that receives annual rainfall of 800 -1000mm.  While rainfall patterns in Regions IIa and IIb are similar, Region IIb is characterized by semiarid plains due to differences in soils. The soils in Region IIb where the station is are mostly sandy and less fertile with high temperatures that reduce production potential for some crops such as maize. Mongu Research Station in Mongu town has been an administrative provincial headquarters. It has satellite stations used for research activities at Simulumbe, Kataba, Namushakende, Nangweshi in Sesheke and Longe in Kaoma. The station is suitable for drought and poor soils tolerant crops such as Pearl millet, Sorghum and Cassava. Because of this background, Mongu research station was established to look at Soils Research, Farming Systems and Pearl millet, sorghum, cassava and cashew research.

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

Mutanda Research Station

P.O. Box 110312

Solwezi