Chitedze

Historical background

Mbawa sub-station was established in 1936 as a Veterinary Station to investigate rampant livestock diseases in Mzimba district. The sub-station had a small herd of dairy cattle which produced butter, cream and ghee in the 1950s. The sub-station was handed over to the Department of Agricultural Research during the 1951/52 crop season when research on crop production was initiated.

Location

Mbawa sub-station is located 50 km south west of Mzimba boma (120 06' S, 320 25' E). It is 1253m above sea level. The sub-station has a total land area of 486 ha of which 286 ha and 200ha are available and woodland/natural pastures.

Climate

Mbawa has a mean annual temperature of 21.5C. The highest temperatures are recorded in October (26.4C), while July (16.5) has the lowest temperatures. A mean annual rainfall of 692 mm is received from November to March.

Research Activities

Mbawa sub-station conducts research activities on livestock, cereals, legumes, oilseeds and other grain legumes, and soil fertility improvement.,

Research facilities

The sub-station has extensive range for livestock, a storage room for the handling of research materials and adequate land for conducting research.

Human Resources

The sub-station is headed by a Chief Technical Officer who is assisted by support staff as shown below:-

MANAGEMENT/DIRECTORATE

Name	Qualification	Designation
Kapunda C.J.B.	Diploma in Agriculture	Officer-In-Charge, Senior Veterinary Officer
Silungwe E.E.		Clerical Officer
Nhlema P.M	GCE	Senior Clerical Officer
Moyo D.J.	Certificate in Agriculture	Farm Manager, Technical Officer
LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES
Kapunda C.J.B.	Diploma. Agriculture	Senior Technical Officer
Mwale A.A.	Certificate in Agriculture	Veterinary Officer
CEREALS Maize, Wheat and Barley
Moyo D.J.	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
Thulu A.F	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer
GRAIN LEGUMES AND OILSEEDS
Mkumbira C.M	Certificate in Agriculture	Technical Officer