$11 Million Rice Seed Breeding center being established in Mansa

By Josiah Mpofu

Over 3, 500 smallholder farmers in Luapula Province are set to benefit from the Rice Seed Breeding and Training centers at Mansa Research Station.

The state of the art facilities which are being established at a total cost of about 11 million United States dollars will enhance availability of improved and quality rice seed varieties among rice growers.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary for Technical Services JOHN MULONGOTI says the facilities will enhance rice production in Zambia.

He further added that the facilities will help in the achievement of Zambia’s Crop Diversification Agenda and reduce on rice imports.

Mr MULONGOTI said this in a speech read for him by Zambia Agriculture Research Institute -ZARI Director Dr DICKSON NGUNI during the ground breaking ceremony of the facilities in Mansa district.

And Mansa Research Station Program officer GERALD SERENJE says the project will be training over 950 farmers and 120 lead farmers annually on proper rice production practices.

He added that the centers will prevent farmers from using recycled seed which reduces their yields.

Meanwhile, KONOIKE Construction Limited Project Manager MORITOSHI MAKI disclosed that the construction of the facilities will be completed and ready for operation in October 2025.