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Lavushimanda District is one of the nine (8) Districts of Muchinga Province. It came into existence in 2017 after the delineation of Mpika, to create two more districts in the Province that is Kanchibiya and Lavushimanda.
Lavushimanda District lies between UTM Coordinates 150000.00 E and 38000.00 E, East of the Greenwich Prime Meridian, and 8670000.00N and 8520000.00N south of the Equator. It has a total area of 14,136.87Km² (1,413,687 Hectares) and shares borders with Mpika and Kanchibiya to the North, Mambwe District to the East, Chitambo to the South, and Lunga and Samfya District to the West. The District lies at 1,568m Above Sea Level. The Great North Road (T2) links Lavushimanda District to Chinsali the Provincial Headquarters of Muchinga Province. The District is approximately 130 km from Serenje.
Agricultural is the mainstay of the majority of the population of Lavushimanda District and is the main source of cash income for the people. Although it is not done on a commercial scale, statistical figures indicate that almost 90% of the population generate their income through agriculture. The district’s favourable climatic and physical conditions such as good rainfall, fertile soil and availability of water bodies provides potential for the district to thrive in this sector. The major crops grown in the district are maize, cassava, groundnuts, beans and potatoes as shown in the table below.
The main crops with high production and marketing potential in district include Irish potato, Cassava, Beans and Rice.
The district has great potential to expand the Irish potatoes industry because of favorable weather condition and suitable soils (sandy loam). The crop is grown throughout the year both under rain fed and irrigation. Although Irish potatoes can be grown in all camps, Lukulu Agricultural Camp is the major producer followed by Mabonga and then Finkuli Camp. Most of the crop is sold locally but also in Mpika, Copperbelt and Lusaka. Currently the district produces more than 700 metric tonnes (mt) of Irish potatoes each year and more than 200 ha of land is dedicated to the production of the tuber. However, the major challenges being faced in this production process include the use of local recycled planting material, primitive cultivation method by the farmers, late blight disease and luck of irrigation facilities/equipment.
The crop is grown throughout the district under rain fed. The district produces about 400 mt of beans each year and more than 1,300 farmers utilize about 700 ha of land in the production of this legume each year. The main varieties grown are Kabulangeti, Lusaka, Solwezi. Currently Kabulangeti beans has ready market through COMACO followed by Solwezi and then Lusaka. However, farmers are faced with poor productivity due to pests, diseases and the use of uncertified seed. The Major pest of beans is Bean Stem Magot.
The crop is grown throughout the district especially in Chiundaponde and Mwelushi camps under rain fed. The district produces above 18,000 mt of cassava each year; almost 10,000 farmers and about 3000 ha of land is employed in the production of the tuber. However the persistent use of infected planting material has been negatively affecting the production of the tuber in the district. Lack of processing machinery and market for the produce has equally been hindering the production of cassava as well.
The production of soya beans, groundnuts and sunflower have been lagging in the district due lack of reliable market for the seed. Nevertheless, the district has the climatic conditions and soils to produce these products beyond the current levels.
This crop is grown in Chiundaponde area under rain fed. The cereal equally has the potential to be produced in higher quantities than what is prevailing at the moment. The district currently produces 48 mt of rice. Like maize, rice can be grown for both food security and income. However, rice has the following advantage over maize: (1) ready market locally and away (2) Recycle seed for 2 or 3 seasons depending on the viability. (3) Can be stored for several season if not threshed. Unfortunately rice production has not been fully exploited due to the following reasons: lack of improved seed varieties and lack of production knowledge as most of the farmers broadcast when planting and not use fertilizer. The seed currently used by farmers is mixed and of poor quality.
Among the fruits grown in the district oranges have a higher production and marketing potential followed by bananas. Currently we have 2,071 farmers growing oranges with 4,736 trees while 373 farmers grow bananas with 5058 banana mats. The supply of both fruits has failed to meet local demand due to poor management and lack of improved varieties. However, low production for both fruits is as a result of lack of water and irrigation facilities including lack of chemicals to control cercospora which affects the quality of the orange fruits hence dropping the market value of the fruit.
This will involve the engagement of a group of farmers for the production any of the crops listed above or any other. This will require a designated piece of land and putting up irrigation facilities in of dry season production and the provision of extension services to improve production. Mechanisation of farm activities is another aspect that can be implemented in such schemes so as to increase production area. Land cultivation and irrigation are some of the areas that need mechanising in the district.
Establishment of orange seedlings and banana suckers nurseries especially in Salamo, Mpumba, Finkuli and Lukulu area. These seedlings and suckers can be given out at a fee to would be orange/banana growers.
This can be done in conjunction with the out-grower schemes or by its own. Basically this facility will provide a central point where farmers can bring their produce such as beans, Irish potatoes, cassava and rice for bulking, packaging, labelling, storage and easy marketing.
Such facilities like oil processing in the district will certainly encourage farmers to go into the production of oil seed such as groundnuts and soya beans. This kind of investments tent to create a pull effect that encourages farmers to increase production in order to meet the requirements of the processing plant. This as well can be implemented together with the other two investments or just on its own for any particular crop or a group of crops.
The objective is to provide pure rice seed to smallholder farmers and increase production and productivity of both rain fed and irrigated rice. Target areas are Chiundaponde, Lulimala and Mwelushi in the flood plains while Mabonga, Lukulu and Kalonje Camps will do both rain fed and irrigated rice. This program will be composed of the following components:
In terms of aqua culture, the District has a very active fishing area particularly in the western part of the district, which has the Bangweulu Wetlands. Most fishing is done in Muwele area and fishing is the main source of livelihood for the people in that area. People in this area have been engaging in fishing and trading for a long time. The sector can therefore develop by taking advantage of the already existing knowledge among the locals and who have passion in the fishing industry.
Aquaculture in Zambia begun in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Government fish farms opened for trials on species and feeding. In 1970s, Department of Fisheries (DoF) developed the integrated aquaculture technologies to improve fish yields. In 1980s, research in aquaculture focused on testing new species and farming technologies e.g. polyculture. Between 1980 and 2000, Zambia saw a lot of donor funded fish farming development projects, focusing on small-scale farmers promoting aquaculture, mainly for food security. From 2006 to date, the New National Aquaculture Strategy and Development Plan was launched and is being piloted. Currently there is renewed emphasis on promoting fish farming as a business.
Lavushimanda as a district has been practicing and advocating for commercial semi-intensive fish farming systems, which demands for;
Lavushimanda district is also blessed with perennial streams, rivers, marshes and dambos that also offer potential for fish farming and fishing by the surrounding communities.
Lavushimanda district has a tourism potential ranging from natural water sources, field adventures and thick forests site viewing of natural splendours, mountaineering and game viewing. In addition, most of the landscape is hilly and attractive to watch.
Lavushimanda District has two (2) national parks with a variety of wildlife. These are the Lavushimanda National park located in the north west of the district and the South Luangwa National park, located in the South East of the District as shown in the map below.
The national park is located within the district and covers an area of 1,500 square kilometres. It is the 11th largest national park in Zambia. The park was initially gazetted as a Game Reserve before it became a national park in 1972. The park lies on a plateau area of the district between the Muchinga Escarpment and the alluvial flats of the Bangweulu Wetlands. The scenery is dominated by the spectacular 47km long Lavushi Manda mountain range in the southern half of the park and this range reaches up to 1,811 meters altitude, forming one of the highest points in Zambia. There are three campsites that have been developed namely; Mumbauta, Kapandalupili and the Peak. These allow for bird watching, hiking and nature lovers to feel right at home.
The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9,059 km2 Park. The South Luangwa Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.
The District also has three (3) Game Management Areas (GMAs), which are also rich with a variety of animal species. These are the Bangweulu Game Management Area located west of the Lavushimanda National Park, the Chikuni Game Management Area located in the west and part of the Munyamadzi Game Management Area located in the north east of the District.
The Bangweulu Wetlands are adjacent to Lake Bangweulu in North-eastern Zambia. The area is famous as an important bird area. Bangweulu which means “where the water meets the sky” is located mostly within Zambia’s Northern and Muchinga Provinces. The area has permanent swamps fed by the Chambeshi, Luapula, Lukulu and Luilimala rivers. The ecosystem has Cyperus papyrus, floating grass, miomboo woodlands and reeds that support large populations of crocodiles, fish, and water birds. Mammals include buffalo’s, zebra, bushbuck, hippopotamus, hyenas, jackals, and migrating lechwe among others.
The Chikuni Game Management Area is located southwest of the Lavushimanda National Park. It covers a vast area of swamp, flood-plain and termitaria encompassing about 40% of the total wetland area in the Bangweulu basin. The site is a designated Ramsar Site covering over 250,000 ha of land. It has a variety of animal species such as Black lechews, Kudus, Impalas, buffalo’s, zebra, bushbuck and hyenas.
The district has a number of tourist attractions sites and the table below shows the list and their locations.
The district has two lodges in the Bangweulu GMA. These are Shoebill and Nkondo, and there are also six (06) camping sites which include Mumbatuta, Malauzi and Chibembe in the Lavushimanda National Park. In the GMA, we have Makanga hunting camp, and Nsobe community camp and in Mpumba chiefdom, we have Mutinondo wilderness camp. Other campsites and lodges in the District include the Mfuwe Presidential Lodge and the Mfuwe Game Park Camp located in South Luangwa National Park. However, the district still has inadequate tourism infrastructure such as lodges and motels as such there are opportunities to invest in such facilities.
Bangweulu Game Management Area has two hunting blocks allocated to Bangweulu Wetlands Project as the outfitter. These are specialised hunting blocks because of the three species namely the black lechwe, sitatunga and the tsetsebe dominate and their special distribution which is largely restricted to these areas.
Bangweulu Game Management Area has a wide range of animal species which include the black lechwe, Tsetsebe, Sitatunga, Zebra, Buffaloe, Impala, Puku, Kudu, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Elephant, Hartebeest and Monkeys. Conversely, the Park has Sable antelopes, Baboons, Monkeys, Reedbuck, Puku, Hartebeest, Bush pigs and the Warthogs. From 2011 and 2014 aerial census count conducted which targeted the Black lechwe and the Tsetsebe as the key species revealed that the estimated population of black lechwe was about 36,000 in 2011 and 49,000 in 2014 indicating an increase of 27 per cent and this year the population is projected to be at 50,000.
In order to increase the variety of animal species and restocking our protected areas, the department of National Parks and Wildlife through Bangweulu Wetlands Project in 2018 translocated animals into Nkondo corridor in the Lavushi-Manda National Park buffer zone and a total of 438 animals were received. The species brought were Puku, Kudu, Waterbuck, Bushbuck and the Hartebeest. The department is also planning to bring some Buffaloes.
The District has huge deposits of Manganese ore, which is mined by small-scale miners in the District. As such, the district has a number of manganese mines scattered around the district. The manganese is usually transported to Serenje and Mkushi for processing. However, a number of these mines in the District are illegal and only a few have approved Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) reports from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
There are no major industries in the district apart from the TAZAMA Pump station and the TAZARA Mununga Quarry, which are parastatal companies.
The Tazama Pump Station is one of the active industries in the District. Tazama which stands for “Tanzania Zambia Mafuta” was a joint venture between Tanzania and Zambia whose mandate is to procure petroleum refinery feed stocks and transport it through the pipeline from Dar-es Salam to the refinery at Indeni in Ndola as well as oversee the refining process at the feedstock into products and market the products. The Pump station is one of the Tazama pump stations dotted along the Pipe line which runs from Dar es Salam to Ndola. The pump station is located at Kalonje and was established in 19711972. The station was established in order to improve supply from the initial pump station in Chinsali where crude oil is transported from Dar es Salam to Ndola. The station ensures efficient and effective fuel supply in the country. Crude oil is transported to Indeni where it is refined into finished products and then sent back to Tazama pump station fuel deposits.
Tazara Mununga is a quarry mine that was opened in 1973 by the Chinese specifically for the construction of the Great North Railway line. After the completion of the railway line in 1976, the quarry was handed over to Tazara. The quarry mine continued to operate until the equipment left by the Chinese run down and become obsolete. However, the company was recapitalised in 1987 and has since been operating since then. The Mununga crushing plant has two crushers namely; Primary Crusher (Jaw Crusher) and Secondary Crusher (Con Crusher) that have design capacities of crushing 200 T/H and 230 – 305 T/ H respectively. The crushers are further designed to produce ballast stone as the main product, which carries about 56% of the crushed product and the rest as 15 % for Aggregates, 7 % Chippings, and 22% Crusher dust. The average plant production is 600 metric tonnes per day, which translates to 13,200 metric tonnes per month.
The District has potential in railway transport infrastructure. The district has a very good railway line that is managed by Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA). The railway line which runs which from Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi is a Bi national railway managed by the two countries whose mandate is to provide safe, reliable and cost effective railway transport for goods and passengers. The railway line is 1,067mm wide and covers a stretch of over 1,000 km. The district has five railway stations that are active, namely Lukulu, Finkuli, Mununga, Salamo and Kalonje Railway Stations, which are used to load and offload goods and passengers. The greatest challenge is the slow speed of the trains used as most of them are obsolete. Therefore, there is an opportunity to invest in faster and more reliable trains.
Muchinga Province is located in the northeast of the country and was created in the year 2011 after detaching it from mother province – Northern Province. The name of the province originates from the Muchinga Escarpment; on which it predominantly sits. The province elongates from southwest to northeast and is located on both sides of the Muchinga Mountains (Muchinga Escarpment).
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Provincial Administration
P.O Box 480137
Chinsali