Zambia Agriculture Zambia Agriculture Research InstituteResearch Institute

Davy SimumbaDavy Simumba

VisionVision

To be a centre of excellence providing To be a centre of excellence providing scientific leadership in the generation scientific leadership in the generation and transfer of improved and and transfer of improved and appropriate technologies and services appropriate technologies and services in agriculture Researchin agriculture Research

MissionMission

To contribute to the improvement of the To contribute to the improvement of the welfare of the Zambian people through welfare of the Zambian people through the provision of technologies and the provision of technologies and services that enhance household food services that enhance household food security and equitable income security and equitable income generating opportunities for the generating opportunities for the farming community and agricultural farming community and agricultural enterprises.enterprises.

Overall ObjectiveOverall Objective

To generate and adapt crop and soilTo generate and adapt crop and soiltechnologiestechnologies and provide services to and provide services to increase agricultural productivity andincrease agricultural productivity andpromote diversification.promote diversification.

ActivitiesActivities

Meeting of the National Committee on Meeting of the National Committee on Plant Genetic ResourcesPlant Genetic Resources

Germplasm multiplication/regeneration Germplasm multiplication/regeneration and characterisationand characterisation

On-farm management of local crop On-farm management of local crop diversitydiversity

Awareness creation on International Awareness creation on International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and AgricultureFood and Agriculture

Routine activities related to normal Genebank Routine activities related to normal Genebank activities such as seed processing, storage and activities such as seed processing, storage and documentation are also carried out. documentation are also carried out.

The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre coordinates and implements these activities in coordinates and implements these activities in close collaboration with other relevant Research close collaboration with other relevant Research Teams and Programmes within the Zambia Teams and Programmes within the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, and other Agriculture Research Institute, and other organisations, including local NGOs involved in organisations, including local NGOs involved in plant genetic resources related activities.plant genetic resources related activities.

These programmes and activities are also These programmes and activities are also implemented in close collaboration with implemented in close collaboration with the SADC Plant Genetic Resources the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) through financial and Centre (SPGRC) through financial and technical support. technical support.

National Plant Genetic Resources National Plant Genetic Resources CommitteeCommittee

The National Plant Genetic Resources The National Plant Genetic Resources Committee (NPGRCom.) provides policy Committee (NPGRCom.) provides policy guidance to the National Plant Genetic guidance to the National Plant Genetic Resources Programme. The Committee, which Resources Programme. The Committee, which is a broad representation of different institutions is a broad representation of different institutions involved in plant genetic resources related involved in plant genetic resources related activities carries out this function through activities carries out this function through meetings held once or twice a year. A review meetings held once or twice a year. A review meeting was held on 9th May 2007 and eleven meeting was held on 9th May 2007 and eleven members were in attendance.members were in attendance.

The Committee made the following The Committee made the following recommendations:recommendations:

Designation of AuthorityDesignation of Authority

Related to this was the need for the formal Related to this was the need for the formal recognition of NPGRC as a depository of recognition of NPGRC as a depository of plant genetic resources through a plant genetic resources through a Government Gazette Notice.Government Gazette Notice.

Use of Biotechnology in germplasmUse of Biotechnology in germplasm

CharacterisationCharacterisation

The Biotechnology laboratory located at The Biotechnology laboratory located at NISIR in Chilanga was identified as one of NISIR in Chilanga was identified as one of the facilities that could be used. the facilities that could be used.

Use of UNZA StudentsUse of UNZA Students

It was also recommended that It was also recommended that

arrangements be made to attract students arrangements be made to attract students from the University to undertake research from the University to undertake research using the germplasm materials conserved using the germplasm materials conserved in the genebank. in the genebank.

Seed multiplication at farm levelSeed multiplication at farm level

It was strongly recommended that on-farm It was strongly recommended that on-farm conservation activities be scaled up to conservation activities be scaled up to extend to other areas beyond Rufunsa extend to other areas beyond Rufunsa using experiences thus far gained from using experiences thus far gained from work that has been done in the pilot area. work that has been done in the pilot area.