Mr. Michael Ngulube, DACO, ChipataMr. 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 Zambia’s land surface is covered by water.

Mpika

Solwezi

Sesheke

Kaoma

Serenje

Kalabo

Chama

Mkushi

Mumbwa

Kasempa

Lukulu

Chinsali

Mwinilunga

Kalomo

Senanga

MufumbweZambezi

Lundazi

Kaputa

Kazungula

Isoka

Kabompo

Mansa

Mongu

Mbala

Nyimba

Itezhi-Tezhi

Shangombo

Samfya

Kasama

Chibombo

Chongwe

Mungwi

Kapiri Mposhi

Luwingu

Mporokoso

Petauke

Kafue

Choma

Lufwanyama

Mpongwe

Mpulungu

Chipata

Mwense

Kawambwa

Milenge

Monze

Mazabuka

Mambwe

Chilubi

Namwala

Katete

Chavuma Masaiti

Chiengi

Nakonde

Gwembe

Luangwa

Siavonga

Sin

azon

gwe

Nchelenge

Chadiza

Kabwe

Livingstone

Lusaka Urban

Chililabombwe

MufuliraChingola

Kalulushi Kitwe

Luanshya

Ndola

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

N

EW

S

Agro-Ecological Regions

District boundary

KEY

Source: Soil Survey, Mt. Makulu ChilangaDecember 2002

Scale 1: 2,500,000

Regions

I

IIa

IIb

III

LEGEND

INTRODUCTION contdSocial 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.

ChallengesThe 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 contdSome 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 partnersCommunication between implementers and other

stakeholdersCalendar 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 activitiesDesign of a calendar of events

and activitiesDiscussion 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 Thank you for your attentionattention