Department of Agricultural Research and Technical Services (DARTS)

  About Chitedze


  Historical background
Chitedze Agricultural Research Station (CARS) was established in the 1948/49 cropping season to expand the work which was hitherto being carried out at Likuni Experiment Station.This was done under the leadership of Mr. S. Hoyle, the first Chief Agricultural Research Officer in Malawi. The first field experiments on the station were conducted in the 1949/50 season. Since the inception of the station several institutions have been established within the premises. Colby College of Agriculture (which later moved and was renamed the Natural Resources College) was opened in 1956. The Grain Legumes Research Unit (GLRU) was established in 1964 under the auspices of the Agricultural Research Council of Central Africa. The GLRU was in 1975 handed over to the Department of Agricultural Research. International research institutions such as ICRISAT, ICRAF, IITA and GTZ set up based at Chitedze in 1980, 1987, 1988 and 1993 respectively. ICRAF has since been relocated to Makoka. Chitedze Station is responsible for other experimental stations including Chitala, Bembeke, Tsangano and Lifuwu.

Chitedze is also home to several International Agricultural Research centres including the SADC/ICRISAT Groundnut and Pigeonpea Project; The CIAT Regional Bean Project Programme; and The GTZ/MGBPP Integrated Pest Control Project. The institutions have set up extensive office, laboratory and field facilities. Their location at Chitedze has enabled them to intract and collaborate closely with NARS programmes.

Location
Chitedze Agricultural Research Station (CARS) is located 16 km west of the Capital City, Lilongwe, on the Lilongwe-Mchinji road leading to Zambia (130 85' S 330 38' E). It lies on an altitude of 1146m above sea level. The station represents the medium altitude areas of the Central Region of Malawi. It has a total of 486ha of land of which 230 ha are under arable cropping while 200 ha are covered by buildings and indigenous pastures and 56 ha are under natural and planted trees which provide fuel wood and wind-breaks.

 

Climate
Chitedze has a mean annual temperature of 200C (Maximum temperatures of more than 240C in November and lowest below 160C in July). The Station receives a mean annual rainfall of 892mm 85% which falls between November and March.

Research Activities
Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, currently has National Research Coordinators for Livestock and Pastures; Cereals, Grain Legumes, Oilseeds and Fibre Crops; Soils and Engineering; and Technical Services. Thus, research activities on these commodities are coordinated by personnel based at the station. Research Programmes on maize, wheat and barley; seed services, plant genetic resources and statistics; livestock and pasture management; soil fertility, microbiology, soil survey, agroforestry and farm machinery are conducted. Additionally, the station carries out work on projects on entomology, plant pathology, fruits and spices.

Research facilities
Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station has modern laboratories with facilities for soil and plant analyses, identification of plant diseases and pests. Additionally the station has glass houses and a nursery for the propagation of planting materials, farm machinery workshop, seed testing laboratory and crop storage. It also has facilities for the production of mushroom and tissue culture laboratory for research into the cutting of bananas, roots and tubers. There is also a library with a sizable accession of assorted books, journals, periodicals and other documents. The station has adequate land for research activities.

 

Human Resources

Chitedze Agricultural Research Station is headed by a Deputy Director of Agricultural Research and Technical Services who is supported by technical personnel as well as administrative staff. The station has the following personnel:-

MANAGEMENT

Name

Qualification Designation

Banda M.H.P.

Ph.D (Plant Breeder)

Deputy Director of Agricultural Research and Technical Services

Chintu E.M.

M.Sc. (Plant Breeder)

Assistant Director of Agricultural Research and Technical Services

Kamuona K.J.

Pitman Certificate

DDARTS Secretary

Saka D.K.K.

Malawi School Cert. Education

Human Res. Management Officer

Mulande Z. (Mrs)

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Clerical Officer

Kuntamula J.N.J.

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Senior Clerical Officer (Stores)

Kalongosola J.N.

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Clerical Officer (Stores)
Howa E.W. Malawi School Cert. Education Assistant Accountant

Funsani J.S.

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Accounts Assistant

Mtimuni T.N.S.

MSCE

Accounts Assistant

Banda F.M.

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Accounts Assistant

Chimbalanga R.R.

Malawi Junior Cert. Education

Accounts Assistant

Munthali L.E.

City and Guilds Certificate

Plumber

Kambalame

Auto Electrician Cert.

Auto Electrician


TECHNICAL SERVICES

Nsapato L.

Msc. (Plant Genetic Resources)

Principal Scientist and Ag. National Research Coordinator


Seed Services

Maideni F.W.

M.Sc. (Plant Pathology)

Principal Scientist (Seed Pathology)

Kananji G.A.D M.Sc. (Plant Genetic Resources) Principal Scientist

Mtambo L.N. (Miss)

Diploma in Agriculture

Senior Technical Officer (Seed Analysis)

Makina N.J.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Phiri R.E.B.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Inspection)

Nyirenda L.S. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Analysis)

Yikwanga L.S.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Inspection)

Jali S.W.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Inspection)

Kambadya M. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Analysis)

Ghambi G.D (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer (Seed Analysis)

O.A. Thegha

MSCE

Technical Assistant (Seed Analysis)

Genebank

Nsapato L.

M.Sc. (Genetics)

Principal Scientist and Commodity Team Leader, 

Kapila K.F.

University Certificate in Agriculture

Senior Technical Officer

Kambadya F.E.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Kamwela E.W.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Chitezi R.D.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer


Library Services

Katsonga M.L.

Diploma in LIS, Certificate in MIS

Senior Assistant Librarian / Ag. Commodity Team Leader

Chipale B.Z.

Junior Certificate

Library Assistant (Chitedze)

Monjeza, L.B.

Cert. Information Management

Library Assistant (Chitedze)

Mtelekesya, F.Y.

Cert. Information Management

Library Assistant (Lunyangwa)

Soko, Henry

Cert. Information Management

Library Assistant (Bvumbwe)

Chinkhata I.S.

Cert. Information Management

Library Assistant (Makoka)


Agricultural Data Processing (AGREDAT)

Vacant

 

 


PLANT PROTECTION
Pathology, Biological Control and Quarantine

Mazuma E.D.L.

Msc. (Plant Pathology)

Agricultural Scientist

Phiri O.K. Certificate in Agriculture Technical Officer

Malangano M.A.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer


Crop Storage

Jumbo J.B.

B.Sc

Agricultural Scientist

Mtefa M.J. Certificate in Agriculture Technical Officer

Rashid B.C.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer


Produce Inspection

Timeyo G.A

Diploma in Laboratory Technology

Senior Technical Officer

Manyowa N.D.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technica Officer

Kadawati A.B

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Chipalamwazani S.S.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Mtefa M.J.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Kabwazi

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer


CEREALS

Cereals (Maize, Wheat and Barley)

Nhlane W.G.

Ph.D (Plant Breeding)

Principal Scientist

Kabambe V.H.

Ph.D (Agronomy)

Principal Scientist

Khonje P. M.Sc. (Plant Pathology) Principal Scientist
Sakala W.D Ph.D (Agronomy) Principal Scientist

Ganunga R.P.

M.Sc. (Agronomy)

Agricultural Scientist

Chafika K.M.

Diploma in Agriculture

Senior Technical Officer  

Komwa M.K.M

Diploma in Computer Science

Assistant Agricultural Scientist

Ngulinga B.J Diploma in Agriculture Technical Officer 
Kawonga K.K.E B.Sc Agricultural Scientist

Thangata M.G. (Mrs)

Diploma in Rural Development

Technical Assistant 

Thawe J. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Mbale I.B. (Mrs) Certificate in Agriculture Technical Officer 

Baluti M.O.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Nambuzi S.C. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Banda J.K.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Kayira D.K.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer    

Mwale C.D.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer   

Ligowe I.M. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Kauwa A.A.E.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer   

Mlenga H.M.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer   

Chidzulo H.V.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer   


LEGUMES, FIBRES AND OILSEEDS

Soko H.N.

Ph.D (Plant Breeder)

Principal Scientist, and National Research Coordinator


Groundnut and Oilseeds

Kapewa T.

M.Sc (Horticulture)

Agricultural Scientist (CTL)

Maliro P.C. (Mrs)

B.Sc (Agriculture)

Agricultural Scientist

Magawa C.D.T.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Nkhwazi W.S.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Tawakali S.M.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 


Pulses

Soko H.N.

Ph.D (Plant Breeding)

Principal Scientist and National Research Coordinator

Mviha P.J.Z.

M.Sc. (Applied Entomology)

Principal Scientist

Mazuma E.D.L.

M.Sc (Plant Protection)

Agricultural Scientist

Dzinkambani C.M.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Matekera F.K.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 


Beans

Kapapa C.

B.Sc. (Agriculture)

Agricultural Scientist

Mviha P.J.Z.

M.Sc. (Entomology)

Principal Scientist

Chibwana W.F.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Tembo M.

Diploma in Accounts

Accountant


HORTICULTURE
Roots and Tubers

Benesi I.R.M.

B.Sc. (Agriculture)

Principal Scientist

Mangirani P.T.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Nganga A. A.

Diploma in Computer Sciences

Technical Officer 

Chikopa P.C. (Mrs)

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 


Tropical Fruits and Spices

Mbale B.J.B.E.

Diploma in Horticulture

Technical Officer

Mphaya J.L.E. Certificate in Agriculture Technical Officer 


LIVESTOCK  AND PASTURES

Chinombo

Ph. D

National Research Coordinator

Chikagwa-Malunga S.K. (Mrs)

M.Sc (Animal Nutrition)

Agricultural Scientist

Kadaola L.K.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer 

Ghambi D.M.

Diploma in Veterinary Science

Technical Officer  (Veterinary)

Chikuse J.C. (Mrs)

Diploma in Veterinary Science

Technical Officer  (Veterinary)

Dzinkambani C.N. (Mrs)

Certificate in Veterinary Science

Technical Officer  (Veterinary)


Pastures

Sichali S.M.

Certificate in Agriculture

Senior Technical Assistant


SOILS AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Kumwenda W.F.

M.Sc (Agricultural Engineering)

Chief Scientist  and National Research Coordinator 


Soil Fertility and Microbiology

Chilimba A.D.C

M.Sc. (Soil Science)

Chief Scientist and Commodity Team Leader

Singano L.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Assistant

Kavala M.M.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Katunga A.P.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Officer

Nyaude A.B.

Certificate in Agriculture

Technical Assistant


Soil Survey

Makumba M.I.

M.Sc. (Soil Physics)

Principal Scientist

Malamba M.F.

Cambridge School Certificate

Senior Technical Assistant

Nyirenda W.W.

Cambridge School Certificate

Senior Technical Assistant

Chinyama R.F.

Cambridge School Certificate

Technical Assistant

Matiya O.L.

Cambridge School Certificate

Technical Assistant


Agroforestry

Vacant

 

 


Farm Machinery

Kumwenda W.F.

M.Sc (Agricultural Engineering)

Chief Scientist and National Research Coordinator

Kazembe-Phiri H.W.

M.Sc (Agricultural Engineering)

Principal Scientist


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