Rice programme moves ahead in Zambia with Ministry taking over secretariat
31 January 2011

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MACO) in Chinsali District has taken over the secretariat of the Rice Value Chain Stakeholders' Forum.

During the regularly quarterly forum meeting on 22 December 2010 it was agreed that MACO would take over from Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO), a limited-by-guarantee, non-profit company. The forum is used to review the work, share experience and lessons, and more recently has taken on the responsibility for thinking about how to make the rice programme sustainable after the RIU programme draws to a close.

Victor Makasa, Country Coordinator RIU Zambia, said:

"During the forum there was a presentation from a senior Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives staff member from the provincial office. He called on MACO, at the district level, to take keen interest and participate fully in the activities of the Rice Value Chain Stakeholders' Forum.

It is a great confidence boosts for the forum members to have the Ministry take over the secretariat at this critical time as the detailed plans for sustainability are being made.

The RIU country team has continued to broker relationships and linkages along the value chain and facilitate the implementation of the activities under the rice value chain programme. The highlights from October to December 2010 are listed below."

Access to seed: This period was important to famers as it was the planting season so access to good seed was cardinal. Small-scale farmers' access to local 'Supa' rice seeds from COMACO rose significantly from 20 tons in the previous season to over 50 tons by close of the planting season. COMACO also stepped up its efforts to improve agronomical practices amongst the rice producers through the intensification intervention. This is intended to contribute to the increase in yields per unit area.

Local rice variety seed purification: The seed purification process continued to progress very well. Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) at Misamfu Research Station managed to successfully carry out nursery preparation, land preparation, transplanting and start the crops evaluation and management. These activities are part of the first year of the three-year programme of local 'Supa' rice seed purification that has been facilitated by RIU Zambia involving the Rice Value Chain Stakeholders' Forum, COMACO and ZARI.

Processing and market access for small scale farmers: COMACO embarked on processing and distribution of rice to both domestic market outlets (supermarkets) and the regional market. Polished rice for export is being packaged in 25kg 'It's Wild' branded bags. The rice for the domestic markets was being packaged in varying quantities ranging from 2.5kg to 10kg bags. The demand for this organically-grown rice remains largely unmet.