Soil & Herbage Chemistry

Overall Objective

The Soil & Herbage Chemistry Unit plays a critical role in supporting Zambia’s agricultural sector by providing a wide range of analytical services. The Unit specialises in the analysis of soils, fertilisers, lime, irrigation water, and plant tissue, generating reliable data that guides evidence-based decision-making.

Through soil and plant tissue testing, the Unit equips farmers with precise information about nutrient availability and deficiencies, helping them adopt site-specific fertiliser management practices that improve yields while reducing unnecessary input costs. The analysis of irrigation water ensures that only safe and suitable water sources are used on crops, protecting soils from salinity and other chemical imbalances. Fertilisers and lime are tested not only for nutrient content but also for compliance with national quality standards, safeguarding farmers against counterfeit or substandard products. As part of its mandate, the Unit operates the Fertiliser Laboratory, which is responsible for certifying all fertilisers on the Zambian market. This ensures that fertilisers meet regulatory requirements before they reach farmers, thereby protecting investments, promoting fair trade, and strengthening food security.

By combining laboratory expertise with practical agricultural insights, the Soil & Herbage Chemistry Unit enhances soil fertility, improves productivity, and contributes to sustainable agricultural development in Zambia.

Soil & Plant Tissue Analysis

Supplying farmers with data to guide field management and optimise crop yield. Soil, plant leaf, and herbage test identify nutrients that are low or too high. A simple report gives clear advice on fertiliser and lime what to use, how much, and when so problems are fixed early, inputs are saved, and crops grow healthier with better yields

Water Quality Testing

Evaluating irrigation water for sustainability in crop production. Checking key indicators pH, electrical conductivity(salinity), sodium hazard, bicarbonates, chlorides nitrates, hardness, and trace metals to rate suitability for different crops and soils. Flag risks like salinity build up soil sodicity, and emitter clogging, and provides clear actions such filtration, blending sources, gypsum or acid dosing, and adjusting scheduling.

Agricultural Product Trials

Conduct trials on agricultural products to verify compliance with zambian standards, with activities carried out across all the regions of the country.
Trials cover fertiliser, soils amendments, agrochemicals, and biologicals, using simple standard protocols that compare products side by side on farmers fields and research stations. measurements focus on crop growth, yield, quality and safety across multiple locations and seasons. Clear reports show whether a product meets the required standard, how it performs in local conditions, and practical recommendations for use building reliable evidence for approvals and farmer adoption.

Certification Services

Operates the national fertiliser laboratory that tests and certifies fertilisers for the zambian market. work inlcudes checking nutrienfs content againest standards, verifying lable claims, and screening for contaminats, mositure, and granulation. Certificaes of conformity are issues for compliant products, with markets surveillance and import checks used to flag non compliant fertiliser for corrective action.