MOReDeP collaborates with HONDA ZAMBIA LTD to showcase agricultural machines for rice production

In cooperation with Honda Zambia, Market-Oriented Rice Development Project (MOReDeP) conducted a demonstration of agricultural machines for rice production in Chitambo district, Central province. A team from Honda Zambia and MOReDeP visited a farmer’s rice field and demonstrated some machines for rice production, which Honda may begin to sell in Zambia: reaper for harvesting rice, small power tiller for paddy fields, etc. It is hard to advance agricultural mechanization overnight due to various intertwined factors. On the other hand, it has a significant impact on the promotion of rice production. According to a survey conducted by the MOReDeP in Luapula province, 98% of rice farmers carry out all processes of rice production manually without any agricultural machinery, and 76% answered that a large amount of labor needed to grow rice is the greatest challenge in extending their rice farming area. Zambia has a vast land for its population, and some of it is still available for expanding rice cultivation. However, to utilize the land effectively, it is critical to advance the mechanization. While collaborating with commercial companies like Honda Zambia, MOReDeP will work on promoting the mechanization in Zambia.