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GOVERNMENT, JICA JOIN HANDS TO BOOST RICE PRODUCTION IN LUAPULA

 

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is in Luapula Province to review progress on the Centre of Excellence for Rice Seed Production, now under construction in Mansa.

The mission is being led by Acting Permanent Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lemmy Kafwamfwa, accompanied by senior technical staff from ZARI and representatives from JICA.

On Monday, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Prudence Chinama Kangwa, represented by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Evans Sikabbubba.

Welcoming the team, Mr. Sikabbubba expressed appreciation for JICA’s continued partnership with the Government of Zambia.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Luapula Province, I wish to thank JICA for this generous grant. The infrastructure under construction will not only strengthen government capacity but also help transfer modern agricultural technologies to our local farmers,” he said.

He underscored rice as a priority crop for the province, pointing to Mansa, Lunga, and Chifunabuli districts as leading production areas.

“We have the land, we have the water, and we have a favourable environment. Just yesterday, Kawambwa received rainfall, a good sign for the coming season. What we need now is to mobilise our farmers and encourage them to take rice farming more seriously,” he added.

Mr. Sikabbubba further assured the visiting team that the Provincial Administration is committed to the project’s success.

“We are targeting completion by December this year. As a province, we are fully engaged and look forward to celebrating the handover of this vital facility,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kafwamfwa explained that the Centre of Excellence is part of a wider strategy to strengthen Zambia’s rice sub-sector.

“This Centre of Excellence, supported through a JICA grant since 2022, will produce high-quality rice seed varieties tailored for Luapula, Kaputa in Northern Province, and Muchinga. It will also serve as a training and research hub for scientists and smallholder farmers,” he said.

He revealed that construction is already 84 percent complete, and despite earlier delays, the ministry remains confident of timely delivery.

“Thanks to our long-standing friends at JICA, we are closer to making this vision a reality. The Centre will not only benefit Luapula but will have a national impact through improved seed availability and knowledge transfer,” he said.

Mr. Kafwamfwa emphasised that the ultimate goal is to cut Zambia’s dependence on imported rice seed while improving farmers’ access to affordable, high-quality planting material.

“What we are doing here is laying a strong foundation for national food security and farmer empowerment,” he noted.

The delegation is later expected to tour the construction site to inspect ongoing works and engage with stakeholders involved in the project.

The Centre of Excellence for Rice Seed Production forms part of government’s wider agenda to promote agricultural diversification, strengthen rural livelihoods, and increase domestic rice production in line with Zambia’s national development priorities.

 

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