RICE
Rice
Rice production is at present confined to sowing into suitable dambo’s which occur most extensively in the higher rainfall areas and the major river plains of the Western, Northern and Eastern provinces of Zambia.
Present varieties suffer from low temperature damage and production at altitudes above 1,300 metres is not recommended.
Varieties
New release
NERICA 4 (Dryland Rice – Upland)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | OPV; interspecific upland rice (NERICA family) |
| Days to Maturity | 100 |
| Agro-Ecological Zones | Zones I, II & III |
| Grain Traits | Medium to long grain; moderately aromatic |
| Yield Potential | 3–4 tons/ha |
| Spacing & Seed Rate | Hill planting; 60kg/ha |
| Stress Tolerance | Drought, low soil fertility, pest resistance |
| Disease Resistance | Blast tolerant; field resistance to bacterial leaf blight |
| Use | Dryland rice systems, nutrition-sensitive areas |
Established varieties
Kilombero
| Characteristics |
|---|
| Type: Open-pollinated variety, medium maturing, high yielding |
| Tolerance: Low temperatures during reproductive phase and submergence. |
| Days to maturity: 130-140 days |
| Seed rate: 40kg/ha |
| Spacing: 30 x Drilling |
| Target regions: I, II, III |
| Yield potential:2,500-3,500kg/ha |
Supa MG
| Characteristics |
|---|
| Type: Open-pollinated variety, medium maturing, high yielding |
| Tolerance: Low temperatures during reproductive phase and submergence. |
| Days to maturity: 140-160 days |
| Seed rate: 40kg/ha |
| Spacing: 30 x Drilling |
| Target regions: I, II, III |
| Yield potential:4,000-6, 000kg/ha |