The overall objective of the division is to develop and adapt appropriate crop varieties and agronomic technologies for all categories of farmers in different agro-ecological regions. There are eight research teams under the CIA Division namely, Cereals , Food Legumes , Oil seeds, Fibre Crops, Vegetables , Tree and Plantation Crops, Root and Tuber Crops and Plant Genetic Resources.
This division has the following specific objectives:
- To develop stable high yielding varieties of both food and cash crops.
- To develop food crops for high nutritional value, storability and acceptability.
- To breed for crop resistance and/or tolerance to pests, diseases and adverse soil conditions such as soil acidity and salinity.
- Control and coordinate the collection and conservation of viable plant genetic resources and regulate their accessibility.
- Promotion of crop diversification.
1. Cereals Programme:
The cereals research team has the following 3 programmes: maize breeding, sorghum and pearl millet breeding, wheat breeding.
2. Food legumes Programme:
The programme is involved in the breeding of food legume crops such as beans, cowpea, ground nuts, etc. The team has released several improved food legume crops currently on the market.
3. Tree and Plantation crops Programme:
The team objective is to ensure increased fruit production for all kinds of fruit trees through the mobilisation, conservation and sustainable utilisation of higher yielding varieties and through the use of improved handling storage procedure. The team carries out research activities in the different agro-ecological regions of Zambia. The targeted tree crops are Apples, Mangos, Peaches, Grapes, Citrus, Cashew nuts and also beverage crops like Tea and Coffee.
4. Plant genetic Resources Programme:
The overall objective of the National Programme on Plant Genetic Resources is the long-term support of agriculture in general and in particular variety development thereby contributing to the ultimate purpose of improving the yields and quality of crops that are available for the farmer.
To achieve the above objective we strive to mobilise and conserve the maximum genetic variability of the indigenous and locally adapted crops, their wild relatives and the useful weedy and wild plant species so that they are available for both present and future use.
The team at present has collected and conserved 7200 accessions in the gene bank.
5. Oil Seeds research and development Programme:
The main objective of the National oil seeds research and development programme is to contribute towards the attainment of self-sufficiency in oilseeds production with a view to export by providing crops that are suitable and acceptable for production by a wide range of farmers in Zambia. The programme has achieved a lot since its establishment. It has released 9 sunflower varieties, 5 hybrids and 4 composites. It is hoped that the programme will release varieties in other oil crops such as sufflower, jatropha and castor.
Maize
This programme has over a period of time released maize varieties for all the three agro-ecological regions of the country. The varieties range from early to late maturing. The programme breeds single, double and triple cross hybrids, and open pollinated varieties to address the different categories of Zambian farmers ranging from small to commercial.
Sorghum and Millets
Sorghum and pearl millet are important traditional crops in Zambia but over the years these small grains have been replaced by maize even in areas where maize it is less suited. This has scenario happened due to several factors such as influence of commercial farming, increased urbanisation and subsequent need and ease of industrial maize processing, and government policies for in-put supply, crop marketing and storage. This problem has been realised and efforts are now in place to promote these crops. The breeding programme has released several sorghum varieties both open pollinated varieties and commercial hybrids. Several varieties of pearl millet also have been released in Zambia with different attributes.
Wheat
Despite not being a traditional staple food, wheat is widely consumed in Zambia in the form of bread, biscuits, cakes and other wheat products. Some rural household have found wheat meal to be ideal in the preparation of nshima and beer brewing. Wheat is suitable for household food security because of its high protein content of 11 – 16 %. Wheat does not only provide household food security to the growers, but the marketing of the crop also provides an important source of income to the farmers. The programme has released both rainfed and irrigated varieties.
Introduction
The National Oil Seeds Research and Development Programme came into being in 1972 and has mandate to develop oilseeds. The programme currently runs activities in the following crops sunflower, castor, jatropha, safflower and sesame.
Objectives
The main objectives of the National Oilseeds Research Programme are;
- To contribute towards the attainment of self-sufficiency in oilseeds production with a view to export by providing crops that are suitable and acceptable for production by a wide range of farmers in Zambia.
- To assist in the promotion of crops which can easily be processed in the areas of production and hence add value.
- To continue looking and developing crops that will compete favourably both at local and international markets.
Brief description of mandate crops
Research on oilseeds includes germplasm collection from both local and exotic sources for the purpose of population development and hybrid seed production in the case of sunflower. Current research concentrates on sunflower with some effort being put on the industrial oilseed crops of castor and jatropha
. The other crops, safflower and sesame have minor attention. In this regard, active research is under way in the areas of breeding, agronomy, seed purification, multiplication and maintenance. Following is a brief description of these crops.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L)
Many households cannot do without edible oils for cooking. While there are a number of crops that can supply edible cooking oils, sunflower stands out as one of the best sources in Zambia. The country stands to save much money importing vegetable oils if much attention could be directed at growing sunflower. It is a crop that can give an economical yield with minimal use of inputs particularly inorganic fertilisers when grown following a good managed cereal like maize. The crop is suitable for production by all categories of farmers and can be processed right at the farm. In order to ensure that all categories of farmers are served, the National Oils Research Programme has a number of activities lined up that tries to address the immediate concerns of the farmers. Breeding trials run at Mt.Makulu and repeated at other research stations aim at addressing specific problems such as soft hulls for on farm oil extraction.
Castor (Ricinus communis L)
Castor is a source of industrial but essential oils. In Zambia castor grows wildly all a cross the agro-ecological zones and is not a difficult crop to grow. The seed of castor may contain up to 50% oil that can be easily expressed using hand held machines such as the ram and spindle presses. The crop attracts a good price internationally and the market appears to be favourable. Despite all the potential that castor commands, very little is going on in terms of local production. So far only one variety Misacas 3 has been released and this variety is on the lower side in terms of yield and oil content. There is therefore an active programme on the crop to try and come up with superior sources that will go to replace Misacas 3. The research on Castor is moving hand in hand with organisations interested in establishing and sustaining commercial production of the crop.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L)
Sesame is a crop that is generally grown by small-scale farmers and on extremely small plots of land with North Western Province leading as largest producer. Sesame seed is an important source of high quality odourless vegetable oil that can be substituted for olive oil and used in the manufacture of compound cooking fat, margarine and salad oils. Lower grade oil is used as a fixative in the perfumery industry, in various cosmetics and as a carrier for fat soluble substances in pharmaceuticals such as penicillin and in insecticides. Sesame oil is easier to extract at village level than is sunflower. Although sesame is grown in many areas in Zambia, the average yields obtained is about half of the world average due to mostly lack of improved varieties and poor management practices. The Oil seed programme has a keen interest in addressing some of the problems encountered so as to improve production prospects. Currently work is in progress where both local and exotic germplasm is being screened with the hope of identifying and developing high yielding varieties that also have resistance to the prevalent insects and diseases that are known to attack the crop in the country.
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L)
Safflower is an important oil crop mostly grown in the drier zones of the tropics that has been found suitable for Zambia. Safflower oil has uses both edible as well as industrial. As edible oil, safflower has a very high level of linoleic acid that human bodies require for good health. Industrially, it is a drying oil and is used in varnishes, lacquers, pastel paints and alkyd resins where colour retention is important. Our rainfall pattern in the country is becoming increasingly unpredictable such that it has become necessary to look for new crops to replace the ones falling out of favour. In this respect safflower has been identified as one of the potential crops to try and develop. Currently, only an observation plot has been attempted and has shown good prospects.
Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L)
Jatropha or Physic nut is a native tree/shrub of South America but adaptable to Africa. The plant bears fruit that has high oil of about 50%. Throughout Africa including Zambia, the Jatropha usually grows wild. The oil from Jatropha is a source of a semi drying oil which has been commercially used as soap oil, a textile lubricant, an illuminant and medicinal oil. The oil has gained international attention as a substitute for diesel termed Bio-Diesel. Propagation of Jatropha is achieved by both seed and cuttings. The plant makes a very good live fence that can be used to control grazing in communal lands. Jatropha growing canprovide farmers with a range of opportunities from where they can derive extra income. Soap making at village level has been demonstrated using Jatropha as such is a good candidate for promotion. Jatropha has generally been little known but with its potential use as source of Bio-Diesel, many people have now become interested. The programme in response has been assembling information by undertaking local studies on the plant. The programme now provides advisory services and limited quantities of seed to interested parties.
Major Achievements in the Programme
The National Oilseeds Development Programme has been among the research programmes that have been successful at developing and releasing new varieties. However, all the varieties released only come from its major crop Sunflower. The programme has in this respect released 5 hybrids and 4 composites.
The hybrids released include; CH258, CH284, CH301, CH336 and CH311. In composites category varieties released include; CCA74, CCA81, SAONA and MILIKA. It is hoped that with more attention a variety each from the other crops will also be achieved. In the mean time, the programme offers advisory services for all crops in terms of production recommendations. These recommendations have been prepared as leaflets and get updated as soon as new information is acquired.
