Chitedze

Historical background

Kasinthula Experiment Station was established in 1968 as an Irrigation Pilot Project by Shire Valley ADD. The Pilot Project was handed over to the Department of Agricultural Research in 1975. The station is responsible for conducting irrigation agronomy research on field crops, smallholder paddy rice production and fish farming.

Location

Kasinthula Experiment Station is located 10km south of Chikwawa at 60 m above sea level and longitude at 340 05' E and latitude 160 00' S in the Shire Valley. The Station has a total of 216 ha of land of which 100 ha are for rice production and 10 ha for sorghum and pearl millet research activities.

Climate

Kasinthula Experiment Station has a mean annual rainfall of 700 mm, most of which comes within the short period from November/December to February/March. This low rainfall necessitates the use of irrigation for crop production. Maximum temperatures range from 25⁰C to 49⁰C, while the minimum temperature ranges from 10⁰C to 20⁰C.

Research Activities

Kasinthula Experiment Station carries out research on sorghum, pearl millet, irrigation and drainage, maize, legumes, cotton, root and tuber crops, horticulture and oilseeds. The station also conducts research activities in collaboration with other stations.

Research facilities

Kasinthula Station has good irrigation facilities, storage room and a small library. These facilities enhance the running of research programmes at the station. The station also has adequate land for conducting research.

Human Resources

Kasinthula Experimental Station is headed by a Chief Scientist who is assisted by staff as shown below:

MANAGEMENT/DIRECTORATE

Name	Qualification	Designation
Mchowa J.W.	M.Sc. (Entomology)	Officer-In-Charge
Makono R. (Ms)	-	Accounts Assistant
Mpenga K.		Senior Motor Veh. Mechanic
CEREALS Sorghum and Pearl Millet
Fandika I.R.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Maize, Wheat and Barley
Kamanga C.J.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Ngonga P.S.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Rice
Taibu M.D	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
SOILS & AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING Irrigation and drainage
Taibu C.W	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Karikho W.D	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
HORTICULTURE Tropical Fruits, Spices and Roots and Tubers
Zibophe	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Saimala B.E.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
TECHNICAL SERVICES Plant Genetic Resources
Gondwe K.D.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer