Kalimbeza Rice Farm is on track to harvest more than 100 tonnes of rice when the harvesting season begins, despite production challenges caused by persistent rainfall.
The farm is cultivating three rice varieties: Iriga, Nerika 4 and Super.
Farm Manager Patrick Kompeli said seven hectares of Iriga have been planted, although the variety has been reported as contaminated. Eight hectares of Nerika 4, sourced from Zambia, are growing steadily, while 35 hectares of the Super variety are currently being planted to meet the farm’s seasonal target of 50 hectares.
Kompeli said projected yields remain encouraging, with Iriga expected to produce three tonnes per hectare, while both Nerika 4 and Super could yield up to four tonnes per hectare.
Based on current estimates, Iriga is expected to produce about 21 tonnes, Nerika 4 around 24 tonnes and Super approximately 51 tonnes, bringing total output to more than 100 tonnes, provided conditions remain favourable.
“I can assure you that by next week, we will have planted 50 hectares of Super. Although the rain continues to fall and is causing some disruptions, we are still aiming for a yield of three tonnes per hectare for Iriga,” Kompeli said.
During a visit to the farm, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Ruthy Masake urged management to intensify efforts to improve production, noting that limited progress has been recorded since the farm was established in 1990.
She encouraged the farm to scale up operations where possible and to work closely with the ministry to address ongoing challenges.
“If three or four farmers engage in small-scale rice production, they will begin to understand its importance. Once the community is fully informed and involved, things will start to change,” Masake said, adding that it was unfortunate the current production targets would not be fully met.
