Status, priorities and needs for t i bl il t isustainable soil management in

ZambiaZambia

S SStalin SichingaZambia Agriculture Research a b a g cu tu e esea c

Institute

IntroductionIntroduction

Zambia has an area of 750,000 km2 with about 13.9 million people and ample land resources

0ut of 9 million ha cultivable land,only 14% is cropped in any yearonly 14% is cropped in any year

About 55 - 60% of the land area is covered byynatural forest and6% of Zambia‘s land surface is covered by water.

Agro-ecological regions and soil distribution

The country is classified into three agro-ecological regions based on soil types, rainfall, and other climatic conditionsyp , ,

Kaputa

Mbala

MpulunguChiengi

NakondeNchelenge

N

EW

Agro-Ecological Regions

Mpika

Solwezi

Serenje

Chama

Mkushi

Kasempa

Chinsali

Mwinilunga

MufumbweZambezi

Lundazi

Isoka

Kabompo

Mansa

Samfya

Kasama

Mungwi

Kapiri Mposhi

Luwingu

Mporokoso

Petauke

Lufwanyama

Mpongwe Chipata

Mwense

Kawambwa

Milenge

Mambwe

Chilubi

Katete

Chavuma Masaiti

Nakonde

Chadiza

Chililabombwe

MufuliraChingola

Kalulushi Kitwe

Luanshya

Ndola

S

Scale 1: 2,500,000

RegionsI

IIa

IIb

III

LEGEND

Agro-ecological Region IAnnual rainfall is <750mm

Sesheke

Kaoma

Kalabo

Mkushi

Mumbwa

Lukulu

Kalomo

Senanga

Kazungula

Mongu

Nyimba

Itezhi-Tezhi

Shangombo

Chibombo

Chongwe

Kapiri Mposhi

Kafue

Choma

Monze

MazabukaNamwala

Gwembe

Luangwa

Siavonga

Sina

zong

we

Kabwe

Livingstone

Lusaka Urban

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

District boundary

KEY

December 2002December 2002

The region contains a diversity of soil types ranging fromslightly acidic Nitosols to alkaline Luvisols with pockets ofslightly acidic Nitosols to alkaline Luvisols with pockets ofVertisols, Arenosols, Leptosols and, Solonetz.

The physical limitations of region I soils Hazards to erosion, li i d il d h i h hill dlimited soil depth in the hills and escarpment zones, presence of hardpans in the pan dambo areas, poor workability in the cracking clay soils, p y g y ,problems of crusting in most parts of the Southern province, low water-holding capacities and the problem of wetness in the valley dambos plains and swampsthe valley dambos, plains and swamps.

Chemical limitations of region I soilsgSome soils have salt content of which sodium is predominant, causing problems of sodicity and salinity, acidity and low nutrient reserves and retention capacityacidity and low nutrient reserves and retention capacity.

Agro-ecological Region IIR i f ll 750 1000

.

Rainfall 750-1000mm. Subdivided based on differences in soil types.

Chama

Chinsali

Kaputa

Isoka

Mansa

Mbala

Kasama

Mungwi

Luwingu

Mporokoso

Mpulungu

Mwense

Kawambwa

Chilubi

Chiengi

NakondeNchelenge

N

EW

S

Agro-Ecological Regions

Scale 1: 2,500,000

LEGEND

Sub-region IIa, soils are largely classified as Lixisols, Luvisols, Alisols, Acrisols Leptosols and Vertisols

Mpika

Solwezi

Kaoma

Serenje

Kalabo

Mkushi

Mumbwa

Kasempa

Lukulu

Mwinilunga

MufumbweZambezi

Lundazi

Kabompo

Mongu

Nyimba

Itezhi-Tezhi

Samfya

Chibombo

Chongwe

Kapiri Mposhi

Petauke

Kafue

Lufwanyama

Mpongwe Chipata

Milenge

Mazabuka

Mambwe

Namwala

Katete

Chavuma Masaiti

Luangwa

Chadiza

Kabwe

Lusaka Urban

Chililabombwe

MufuliraChingola

Kalulushi Kitwe

Luanshya

Ndola

KEY

RegionsI

IIa

IIb

III

Acrisols, Leptosols and VertisolsSesheke

Kalomo

Senanga

Kazungula

Shangombo Choma

Monze

Gwembe

Siavonga

Sina

zong

we

Livingstone

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

District boundary

KEY

December 2002

These are some of the best agricultural soils in Zambia and they host much of the country’s commercial farming sectorthey host much of the country s commercial farming sector

Agro-ecological Region IIR i f ll 750 1000Rainfall 750-1000mm. Subdivided based on differences in soil types.

Kaputa

Isoka

Mbala

Kasama

Mungwi

Luwingu

Mporokoso

Mpulungu

Mwense

Kawambwa

Chiengi

NakondeNchelenge

N

EW

S

Agro-Ecological Regions

Scale 1: 2,500,000

Sub-region IIb

Mpika

Solwezi

Serenje

Chama

Mkushi

Kasempa

Chinsali

Mwinilunga

MufumbweZambezi

Lundazi

Kabompo

Mansa

Samfya

Kapiri Mposhi

Petauke

Lufwanyama

Mpongwe Chipata

Milenge

Mambwe

Chilubi

Katete

Chavuma Masaiti

Chadiza

Chililabombwe

MufuliraChingola

Kalulushi Kitwe

Luanshya

Ndola

RegionsI

IIa

IIb

III

LEGEND

Contains a range ofArenosols, Gleysols,

Sesheke

Kaoma

KalaboMumbwa

Lukulu

Kalomo

Senanga

Kazungula

Mongu

Nyimba

Itezhi-Tezhi

Shangombo

Chibombo

Chongwe

Kafue

Choma

Monze

MazabukaNamwala

Gwembe

Luangwa

Siavonga

Sina

zong

we

Kabwe

Livingstone

Lusaka Urban

District boundary

KEY

Histosls, and Podzols

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

December 2002

The physical limitations of region II soils l t h ldi itlow water holding capacity, shallow rooting depth, rapid physical deteriorationrapid physical deterioration, erosion hazard and poor workability

Chemical limitations of region II soilslow nutrient reserves and retention capacity, low calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, low organic matter content and high acidity in some pocketspockets

Agro-ecological Region IIIHi h i f ll i f Z bi 1000High rainfall region of Zambia >1000mm per annum.

Kaputa

Mbala

MpulunguChiengi

Nchelenge

N

EW

Agro-Ecological Regions

Predominant soils: Acrisols,and some Ferralsols developed under conditions of high

Mpika

Solwezi

Chama

Chinsali

Mwinilunga

Lundazi

Isoka

Mansa

Samfya

Kasama

Mungwi

Luwingu

Mporokoso

Lufwanyama

Mwense

Kawambwa

Milenge

Chilubi

Nakonde

Chililabombwe

MufuliraChingola

Kalulushi Kitwe

Luanshya

Ndola

S

Scale 1: 2,500,000

RegionsI

IIa

LEGEND

under conditions of high leaching intensity

Sesheke

Kaoma

Serenje

Kalabo

Mkushi

Mumbwa

Kasempa

Lukulu

Senanga

MufumbweZambezi

Kabompo

Mongu

Nyimba

Itezhi-Tezhi

Shangombo

Chibombo

Chongwe

Kapiri Mposhi

Petauke

Kafue

Choma

y

Mpongwe Chipata

Monze

Mazabuka

Mambwe

Namwala

Katete

Chavuma Masaiti

Gwembe

Luangwa

Siavonga

Chadiza

Kabwe

Lusaka Urban

Luanshya

KEY

IIb

III

KalomoKazungula

Shangombo Choma

Sina

zong

we

Livingstone

200 0 200 400 Kilometers

District boundary

December 2002

Soils are characterized by soil acidity,low bases retention capacity,lo soil organic matter lo general soil fertilit and soillow soil organic matter, low general soil fertility and soildegradation

Major Soil group classification

Soils Types

A i l

LEGEND

N

Soils of Zambia

Acrisols

Alisols

Arenosols

Cambisols

Ferralsols%

%

M

Kasama

EW

S

Fluvisols

Gleysols

Histosols

Leptosols

Lixisols

%

%

%

Mwansa

Ndola

Solwezi

Chipata Lixisols

Luvisols

Nitisols

Phaeozems

Planosols

%

%

%% L sakaM

Kabwe

Chipata

Podzols

Regosols

Solonchaks

Solonetz

Vertisols

%% LusakaMongu

Provincial Capital%

KEY

Associations% LivingstoneLakes

Soil Survey Unit, Mt. Makulu April 2003

Main Challenge of Agriculture Productivity in Zambia

The declining soil fertilitThe declining soil fertility soil erosion and degradation and little or non-

use of manure or chemical fertilizer and theuse of manure or chemical fertilizer and the ravages of erratic rainfall.

Need to improve and manage soil fertility in ZambiaZambia

There are several options of positive soil fertilityThere are several options of positive soil fertility management practices available to farmers

Summary of soil fertility management practices in Zambiap

Technology Category Practice AdvantageReduction in fertilizer use,

Crop rotationLegumes after cereals

Improved soil fertility, pest

and disease control weed

Cultural

Legumes after cereals and disease control, weed

control (e.g. striga)

Practices Agro forestry improved

2-3 year fallow phase with tree species like Gliricidia, Acacia,

Improve soil fertility,

control and avoid soil erosion, p o edfallow Leucaena, Sesbania,

Tephrosia, etc cost effective or reduce the use of chemical fertilizer,

improve soil structure

Summary of soil fertility management practices in Zambia

Technology Category Practice Advantage

C lt lCultural

PracticesGreen manure

f ll

Velvet beans and Sun hemp either incorporated or left

th f

Improve soil structure and fertility, leading to vigorous growth of the following crop and reduce erosion

crop fallows on the surface

Compost manure practices

Mixed plant residues, animal dung, earth / soil materials, wood ash, water

Improves soil structure, reduce erosion and improves water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil

Summary of soil fertility management practices in Zambiapractices in Zambia

Technology Category Practice Advantage

Ripping, basins Erosion control practices

Conservation tillage

and minimum tillage Erosion control and rain

water infiltration

Contour conservation

Vertiver grass

Liming

Dolomitic (more magnesium than calcium) or calcitic (more calcium than magnesium) lime

Reduces soil acidity, make nutrients readily available for crop uptake and li i t l i ieliminates aluminium

toxicity

Summary of soil fertility managementSummary of soil fertility management practices in Zambia

Technology Category Practice Advantage

Rhi bi i lEnhances biological nitrogen fixation i l d i i ld

InoculumRhizobia inoculum in legumes and increases yields

Fertilizers*Basal and top dressing fertilizers

Supply the nutrients needed for enhanced crop production

*Wherever possible, it is recommended that farmers should combine organic and inorganic nutrient sources for sustainable crop production

Thank You

f ifor your attention