ZCSA, ZARI partner to shield farmers from substandard fertilizers

In a strategic move to safeguard Zambia’s agricultural sector, the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) have formed a partnership aimed at eliminating low-quality fertilizers from the market.

The collaboration aligns with the government’s ambitious target of producing 10 million tonnes of maize by 2031.

By tightening regulations and sharing technical expertise, the two institutions aim to ensure that only high-quality farming inputs reach Zambian farmers.

Speaking in Chilanga on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to ZARI, ZCSA Executive Director, Gerald Chizinga, said strengthened cooperation would protect farmers from substandard fertilizer while improving yields, soil health, and household incomes.

Read more: ZCSA fingers Central Province as notorious for non-compliant products, as over 5,600 pulled from national market

“We plan to leverage ZARI’s testing capacity to enhance efficiency and timely decision-making, adding that a cooperation framework and service level agreement (SLA) have been proposed to formalise the partnership,” Chizinga said.

He emphasized that non-compliant fertilizer posed risks to crop yields, soil quality, and even human safety, underscoring the need for strict enforcement of standards.

ZARI Director, Ndashe Kapulu, welcomed the collaboration, noting that a formal agreement would support smoother trade and help advance government agricultural objectives.

Kapulu said his organization was ready to support ZCSA through fertilizer testing services, adding that the institute already worked closely with ZCSA officers across the country.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to repeal and update the outdated Fertilisers and Feed Act of 1966 to bring it in line with modern agricultural practices.

Kapulu further commended ZCSA officers for their consistent role in provincial centers and at border points in protecting farmers from substandard fertilizers.

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