Luapula Targets 10,000 Tons of Rice with $10.8m Facility

Luapula Province is projecting to produce more than 10,000 metric tons of rice annually following the construction of a US$10.8 million grant-funded rice seed production and training centre in Mansa.

The project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented through the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), is currently 84 percent complete.

Once operational, the facility will serve as a centre of excellence for rice seed production and farmer training, with the capacity to train 950 farmers per year.

Speaking during a media tour of the project, Luapula Province acting permanent secretary Evans Sikabbuba said the initiative is vital in transforming the province's agricultural sector.

"The purpose of the project is to construct a facility where we can train more farmers and produce seed that is disease tolerant and high-yielding," Mr Sikabbuba explained.

The facility aims to empower smallholder farmers with the knowledge and resources needed to produce quality rice seed for both domestic and international markets.

"With this support, smallholder farmers will be empowered to produce quality rice seed that will not only meet local demand but also penetrate bigger markets, including supermarkets and export destinations," Mr Sikabbuba added.

The project aligns with the government's agricultural diversification strategy and food security objectives. The facility will focus on developing disease-resistant, high-yielding rice varieties adapted to local growing conditions, reducing the country's dependence on rice imports while creating new income opportunities for local farmers.