Menu
Kanchibiya is a district located in Muchinga Province. This area was formerly a part of Mpika district and was given district status in the year 2017. The district has only one constituency which is also known as Kanchibiya Constituency.
The district’s population as at the 2022 Population and Housing Census, was estimated to be 118,427 with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. Since the district is still a rural district about 90% of the population distribution is still rural. The district has a population of males 56,845 and female population 61582 with 70% of the population being youths.
Kanchibiya has abundant natural resources such as water bodies, fertile land and good pasture, good rainfall patterns, wildlife and widespread forestry resources. However, the district has not effectively utilized these resources to significantly contribute to sustainable economic and social development.
The district has formulated an Integrated Ward Development Plan to address various developmental issues that require interventions. It highlights a number of issues that which should be addressed during the plan period 2023-2032.
The district lies in the Bangweulu swamps and Chambeshi Floods plains. Kanchibiya district has vast forest resources and is endowed with numerous water bodies; such as swamps, rivers and streams.
Kanchibiya district has a number of rivers, streams and small lakes. The district includes perennial and non perennial rivers and these include Chambeshi river: its marks the boundary between Kasama district and Kanchibiya district. The current flows into Bangweulu in Samfya district, Kanchibiya River: the river where Kanchibiya district was derived from, Lwitikila river is also one of the main important rivers which has passed throught Kopa Chiefdom, Lubaleshi river, Kamana Mwelwa, Lulingila river and Munikashi, Kashipa, Mulonga, Mansha.
The annual rainfall is around 1000 mm. The climate on the plateau is more equitable with summer temperatures seldom exceeding 30 degrees Centigrade and occasional frost in winter.
Relative humidity varies throughout the year, reaching peak in the wet season. The mean relative humidity is 60. Wind directions are predominantly East to South-east except during the rainy season when they are variable with North-East to West winds being more frequent.
The climate for the district is warm and temperate. The summer season is warmer with an average of 30 degree Celsius and the hottest month being October and November while wettest being January and February with the precipitation of 1000mm. Winter season is the coldest with minimum of 9 degrees Celsius and precipitation of 2mmm. The month of June is the Coldest.
The district consists of Miombo Woodland transacted by open drainage lines or dambos. The Miombo thins out the Bangweulu Swamps into regional swamps edge parklands comprising small pockets of Woodlands into inter-spaced with open grassland. Miombo woodlands is characterized scattered tree species and are constanly under attack from stray fires in the dot dry season. Grasslands occur on flood plains, high plateau and in swamps. Branchstegia, Isobemadia and Juberrnadia dominate this woodland.
Kanchibiya district has endowed with so many resources. If these resources are tapped and used the district can be the hub for Muchinga Province and contribute positively to the GDP. Therefore, there is need for deliberate policy that will promote investments in order to promote diversification and hence improve the welfare of the community in the district and the province at large.
The district has also traditional forests such as Mpepo Forest No. 418 and Lwitikila Forest No.291 (108,094) Hectares) and Luanya West near Shiwang’andu district. However, it is sufficed to say that these forests are under extinction due to Chitemene system and indiscriminate cutting of trees for charcoal use.
Kanchibiya district is the hub of palm oil cultivation and Zam-Palm Company registered IDC Corporation, invested in edible palm oil cultivation and production in Senior Chief Kopa and Chief Kabinga by acquiring over 20,000 hectares of land in the year 1999. Currently the plantation harvest over 1200 hectares per season and produces between 1000 and 1600 tons of oil per hectare, attributing the high production to huge labor force. The labor forces is about 700, noting that 90% of hand labour is more effective in the initial stage.
There is readily available market within and outside the Country. The Company sales the crude palm oil to global industries situated on the Copperbelt in Ndola. The products made from crude oil include cooking oil, cheese, margarine, soap, ice cream, bread, peanut butter, cosmetics, animal feed (palm kernel expeller), biofuel and energy etc.
The Company pumped in about one million kwacha to promote out grower scheme so that those farmers within the radius of 50km from the station benefit. So far some farmers of Kabinga’s and Kopa’s Chiefdoms have received the trees and planted which they will intend to sale to the Company after maturity of three years.
This is very interesting program in that the company has taken advantage of the soil type; clay loamy to sand loamy and the plains. The company has only utilized 3000 hectares of land on palm oil trees. However, the Company is willing to partner with any private investor to expand the production and meet the market demand.
The district is characterized by abundant perennial streams and Bangweulu wetlands suitable for rice production. In the Bangweulu wetlands especially in Munikashi ward (100km from Mpika), there is suitable alluvial soil and many swampy areas for rice cultivation. At the moment there are only 73 local producers, cultivating on 18 hectares land for their own consumption. Rice production has the potential growth of 4tonnes/ha for 100 hectares if adequate knowledge on crop production techniques such as crop spacing, wedding, the use improved seed variety, use of fertilizer and polishing of rice is addressed. Since there are hammer mills for rice polish the local community they either mature polish or sold unpolished to Kasama.
The objective is to increase production and productivity through the establishment of processing plant, packaging, training in rice intensification and marketing
Generally the soil is suitable for cultivation of legumes across the district. The types of legumes cultivated include soya beans, groundnuts and beans. Currently legume cultivation is practiced in Kanchibiya Resettlement Schemes, Mansha farm block, Fyoshi, Kaleka, Kasenga, Ndakala, Munikashi, Kopa, Kabulamwiko, Kasengeneke, Chambeshi, Luchembe, Chikakala and Mbati. The district’s production rate for legumes is 2.5 tones/ha and in the wetlands the legumes such as beans are produced twice per season. If this is enhanced can result in high yield production with good crop production techniques such as using high yield seed, conversation farming practices, spacing, weeding, and the use of herbicides. There is ready available market urban centres such as Lusaka, Copperbelt Kasumbalesa and Tanzania. There has never been any value chain to the production of legumes such as in terms of packaging, storage and distribution.
Sugarcane cultivation and production thrives in loam soil that holds plenty of moisture but also drains well and the area along water bodies such as Chambeshi and Lulingila, rivers consist of those characteristics. These rivers are also characterized by absence of rapids qualifying for irrigation purposes. Some investors have shown interest in sugarcane production by acquiring land from Chief Mpepo for sugarcane production. However, some of these investors that showed interest are still not on the ground. There is readily available market within Zambia and within SADC region.
The district boasts of having four types of transportation system namely; railway, water, road and Air transport systems.
Looking at the geographical position and weather pattern of the district aqua culture is one of the great investment oportunities.
Due to high demand of livestock products the establishment of the following industries would help the of Kanchibiya district economically through job creation and insuring that there is food security at house hold level.
The district consists of excellent pasture and many swampy areas for livestock rearing. This is supported by many water bodies. The water bodies were livestock rearing is practiced include Lwitikila River, Munikashi River, Kanchibiya River, Lulingila River, Mansha River, Chambeshi River and small streams. The livestock animals include cattle, goat, sheep and pigs However, there is no commercial farmer who has invested in livestock rearing despite availability of land to support the stock.
The district consist of considerable number of plains with abundance of water sources. These plains are in almost four Chiefdoms. It is believed that, the plains were home to different species of wild animals. However, due to changes in population distribution and human activities, plains are no longer homes for animals. It is from this background that, animal restocking would be ideal for attracting tourists and increased economic activities in the district.
The district experiences Mediterranean type of climate roughly between 31 and 40 degrees, especially the areas around Chambeshi, Mansha farm block and Kanchibiya Resettlement Scheme. There are already farmers cultivating citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons but at smaller scale. There are some investors that have shown interesting in citrus fruits but the projects have not taken off.
Kanchibiya is the only district with Chibwa salt naturally produced in the plains of Chief Luchembe’s Chiefdom. The salt is normally in Mpika. It is also believed that it cured many diseases such as Cancer, High Blood Pressure, Heart diseases etc. However, it is sold on a smaller scale by indigenous people in Mpika. Therefore, it is sold not as a processed product but raw products.
There is seasonal harvesting of caterpillar normally happens from September to December. These caterpillars when are properly cured. They are used as part of the daily meal for many Zambians. They are delicious and highly nutritious with high protein. Therefore, during this season people from all walks of life migrate to the district in order to collect bulky of these caterpillars and sale to urban centres such as Lusaka and Copperbelt. There is a proposition that, a company can be setup to improve caterpillar by adding value through storage, packaging and marketing and then to be sold so supermarkets such as Shoprite, Pick and Pay etc and for purposes to export to Congo.
The geographical mapping of the district is not in the public domain. Hence is has been difficult to ascertain mineral deposits of the district. It is believed that there are a number of gemstones such as quartz, amethyst, gold etc. This is also evidenced by high profile individuals who have acquired some pieces of land purported agriculture purposes and for some co-venture in the district. From the time the district was created, no prospects have been conducted with the knowledge of the Council.
The district has proposed to have MultiFacility Zone Economic that will house all industries in the district. The facility will sit in Chief Luchembe’s Chiefdom on approximately 500 hectares of land supporting different heavy and light industries and processing industry.
Bangweulu Game Management Reserve covers several districts and Kanchibiya is one of district. Part of the Game Management Reserve is located in Munikashi area of Senior Chief Kopa (90km from main road) and in Lulingila area of Chief Kabinga area (50km) from the main road. These areas consists of wetlands and swamps fed by Chambeshi, Lwitikila, Munikashi, Lulingila and rivers from other districts such as Lukulu and Lulimala . These wetlands have supported wildlife animals such as buffalo, zebra, bushbuck, black lechwe (migratory), crocodiles, birds, fish hippopotamus, hyenas, jackals, and bushbuck.
However, much has not been in terms of infrastructure such as construction of the lodges and hotels to support the tourists.
This is situated in Munikashi (100km) in senior Chief Kopa of the Bisa people. The area is characterized by wildlife anuimals such as buffalo, zebra, bushbuck, black lechwe (migratory), hippopotamus, hyenas, jackals, and bushbuck. There are no infrastructure to support tourism sector.
The water body has not been exploited for attracting tourism such as boat cruising, angling competition, swimming competition and for tourism boat scenery. The remains of the old Chambeshi bridge that was bombed in WW1 and it is a potential for tourism especially if it is supported by other infrastructure.
On the opposite side of Chambeshi there is a monument meant for commemorating the notification of the Germany Soldier Von Lettow-Vorbeck of the signing of the armistice at the end of WWI 3 days after the end of the war in Europe.
The district has rich traditional cultures practiced by both Bemba and Bisa people. There is a traditional ceremony of the Bisa tribe that take place right in our district that attracts people from all walks of life on a yearly basis. This traditional ceremony is known as “Ichinama Nongo.”
It is believed that in Chief Kopa’s area there is a route Dr. David Livingstone used which can be used a tourist attraction. This was when he was coming from Harold Sternly Henry from Ujiji (currently in Tanzania) and then crossing the lake in a quest to know the source of Lake Bangweulu
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