By PETER ZIMBA –
THE Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) is conducting cassava trials in Isoka District in Muchinga Province on the performance and adaptation of the new cassava varieties in the area.
Senior agriculture research officer under farming systems research at Misanfu Research Institute in Kasama Isaac Jere said the purpose of the research was to promote crop diversification by making available different cassava varieties that are suitable in their area.
The other reason for the research is aimed at releasing varieties which are drought tolerant, high yielding, early maturing and less susceptible to pests and diseases.
The varieties being demonstrated include MM06 130, 0046, MM06 0074, MM06 0143 which are new varieties yet to be released, while fotrosbery and kampolon are used as controls.
Mr Jere said this when he visited the cassava demonstration site in Kalungu Agriculture Camp in Chief Kafwimbi’s area recently.
The research trials will be conducted for three years.
Once the varieties are adapted and accepted, the farmers will access the new seed through the research institute and some seed multiplication programmes will be conducted among selected farmers.
