GOVT  COMMISSIONS  NAKONDE  PLANT  HEALTH  LABORATORY

By JOSIAH MPOFU

Government has commissioned a K3.8 million state-of-the-art Plant Health Laboratory aimed at accelerating the screening of maize imports and exports at Nakonde One Stop Border Post in Muchinga province.

Speaking during the Ceremony in Nakonde District, Agriculture Permanent Secretary for Technical Services John Mulongoti said the Plant Health Lab would help to safeguard national food supplies.

Mr Mulongoti explained that the Laboratory will enhance Zambia’s capacity to respond quickly to threats such as pest outbreaks, while maintaining efficient trade flows.

“This laboratory is an important line of defence for Zambia’s food security. With the right tools and infrastructure now in place, Zambia can now ensure that imported plants and plant products are both safe and fast-moving and enhances our capacity to respond quickly to threats such as pest outbreaks, while maintaining efficient trade flows,” Mr Mulongoti explained.

Mr Mulongoti said the upgraded lab could not have come at a better time, with Zambia prioritising maize imports from surplus-producing neighbouring countries such as Tanzania.

He noted that with the facility Zambia will now quicken the process of importing and exporting plants and plant products.

“As maize imports surged in response to drought-induced domestic shortfalls, Nakonde One Stop Border Post emerged as an important lifeline for trade in grain, especially, maize. However, previously the clearance would take up to 72 hours or more as samples were sent to Lusaka. With the lab now operational, testing times are expected to fall to an average of 30 hours, significantly reducing turnaround time for urgently needed maize consignments,” Mr Mulongoti said.

And TradeMark Africa’s Regional Director for East and Central Africa, Dr Monica Hangi indicated that the facility will address concerns over the potential regional spread of the Maize Lethal Necrosis.

Dr Hangi noted that the disease is a highly contagious viral disease that devastates maize crops, potentially occasioning up to 100 percent yield loss in farmers' fields.

“The facility’s launch comes amid heightened concerns over the potential regional spread of the Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), a highly contagious viral disease that devastates maize crops, potentially occasioning up to 100% yield loss in farmers' fields,” Dr Hangi said.

She indicated that the organization aim was not only to respond to the immediate food security challenge but also laying the foundation for long-term agricultural trade and resilience.

“Safe trade, efficient border processes, and strong phytosanitary measures are the pillars of thriving regional trade flows and economic development, and we are proud to partner with Zambia and the UK Government in this regard. By enhancing Zambia’s plant health testing and diagnostic systems, we are not only responding to the immediate food security challenge but also laying the foundation for long-term agricultural trade and resilience,” Dr Hangi said.

Meanwhile, Plant Quarantine and Phytosanitary Service (PQPS) Director Kenneth Msiska said the laboratory will harmonise phytosanitary protocols.

“The Laboratory will ensure that agricultural imports and exports comply with national and international phytosanitary standards through quick inspection, testing, certification, and quarantine measures at Nakonde border post,” Dr Kenneth Msiska said. -NAIS