KEY CHALLENGES, EASTERN

PROVINCE, ZAMBIA
Mr. Michael Ngulube, DACO, Chipata
Mr. Stalin Sichinga, ARO, ZARI
INTRODUCTION
Zambia has an area of 750,000 km2 with about 13
million people.

90,000 km2 land is arable

Only 14% is cropped in any year.

About 55 - 60% of the land area is covered by natural

forest

6% of Zambias land surface is covered by water.

 Agro-Ecological Regions
N
Chiengi Kaputa
Mpulungu

W E Nchelenge Mbala
Nakonde
Mporokoso
S Kawambwa Mungwi
Isoka
Scale 1: 2,500,000
Mwense Luwingu Kasama

Chinsali

Mansa
Chilubi
Chama LEGEND
Samfya

Mwinilunga
Milenge Mpika Regions
Chililabombw e

Solwezi Chingola Muf ulira Lundazi I

Ka lulushi Kitw e

Lufwanyama Luans hy a
Ndola

IIa
Chavuma Serenje Mambwe
Masaiti
Kabompo IIb
Zambezi Mpongwe
Mufumbwe Chipata
Kasempa Petauke
Katete Chadiza
III
Kapiri Mposhi Mkushi

Nyimba
Kabwe
Lukulu
Kaoma
Mumbwa Chibombo
Kalabo Chongwe
Mongu
Lusaka Urban Luangwa
Itezhi-Tezhi Kafue

Senanga
Namwala
Monze
Mazabuka

Siavonga
KEY
Sesheke Gwembe
Shangombo Choma
District boundary
e

Kalomo
gw

Kazungula
on
az
Sin

Livingstone

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

December 2002
Source: Soil Survey, Mt. Makulu Chilanga

Region I <800mm
Region II a & II b 800 -1000mm
Region III 1000 - 1500mm
INTRODUCTION contd
Social wellbeing and economic development in
Zambia is strongly linked with productivity growth in
agriculture and sustainable management of farming
systems.

Maize is the main staple food crop grown widely in the

country and critical for ensuring food security for the
poor.
Constraints in Zambian Farming
Systems
Negative effects of climate
change
Soil degradation
Unavailability of improved
varieties
Dysfunctional input-output
markets
Pests and diseases
Limited draft power and
farm implements
 To address some constraints in Zambian farming
systems, Feed the Future through IITA, is
implementing Sustainable Intensification of Maize-
Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of
Zambia (SIMLEZA) which focuses:
Productivity: Maize-legume systems agronomy and
breeding.

Nutrition focus: Soya processing and utilization.

Capacity building of national agricultural research

systems.
 To address some constraints in Zambian farming
systems, Feed the Future through IITA, is
implementing Sustainable Intensification of Maize-
Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia
(SIMLEZA) which focuses :
Productivity: Maize-legume
systems agronomy and breeding.

Nutrition focus: Soya

processing and utilization.

Capacity building of national

agricultural research systems.

SIMLEZA Project Sites
On-farm activities
Chipata District: Chanje
and Chiparamba camps
Katete District:
Kafumbwe and Kawalala
camp
Lundazi District: Hoya
and Vuu camp

On-station activities
Msekera, GART, Kabwe,
Misamfu.
Challenges
The legumes selected are at the bottom of the farmers
priority.
The community is uncertain of the market for the seed to
be multiplied.
Farmers are not aware of the market (outlet) for the
produce.
Farmers largely use the cowpeas leaves as vegetables
and not the grain. There is therefore for a market for the
grain
Equipment for processing is rare and the current one for
groundnut processing demands a lot of energy.
Challenges contd
Some pre released varieties of the cowpeas are high
yielding but not preferred by farmers.
Use of dibble stick required more labour. Farmers
preferred using a ripper for CA.
Coordination between partners
Communication between implementers and other
stakeholders
Calendar of events not properly followed (short notice of
important meetings)
Some farmers are not able to read and write and therefore
miss out on data.
 Possible solutions
Proper planning in early
October for all the field activities
Design of a calendar of events
and activities
Discussion on best ways on
flow of funds (CIMMYT and IITA
manage one project)
Follow up needs to improve
(both organizations hired
research assistants)
Thank you for your
attention