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The Goal of the programme is to
identify, exploit and commercialise underutilised non-wood forest products and
promote their sustainable utilization. Specific
research projects have included those concerning:
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Sustainable
utilization of non-wood forest resources, such as herbs, spices, oil bearing
and medicinal plants, wild fruits and mushrooms, root and tuber plants etc.
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Aplication of
radiation technology for plant bleeding and multiplication of planting
materials.
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Use of R&D capacity
to provide technical support for the conservation of biodiversity of
underutilised plants, and
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Use of R&D capacity
to provide technical support to the maintenance of the environment and
biodiversity.
NISIR has shown that some plants in Zambia
do possess potential for medicine use and controlling various diseases. For
instance, the institution has demonstrated that the Ipoko plant (Phytolacca
dodecandra) is effective in controlling the transmission of bilharzia.
NISIR has also in the past years devoted
its resources to the application of agroforestry techniques for domestication
of wild fruit trees, in particular the masuku tree.
For more information,
please contact the Head of the Centre or the contact address above.
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