Tree Improvement Research Centre

Livestock and Pest Research Centre (LPRC)

Water Resources Research Unit

Radioisotopes Research Unit (RIRU)

Building and Industrial Minerals Research Unit

Food Technology Research Unit (FTRU)

Material Testing Unit (MTU)

Technical Services Unit (TSU)

Information Services Unit (ISU)

The National Council for Scientific Research (NCSR) was created in 1967 by an Act of Parliament (Act 236) to replace the then Agricultural Research Council of Central Africa. The NCSR was mandated to advise the Government on matters of Science and Technology (S&T); to enhance local capacity in S&T by recommending or undertaking research and development work in national priority areas to promote the application of S&T in national socio-economic development. The name changed to National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) following the repeal of the NCSR Act and replacing it with the Science and Technology Act number 26 of 1997.

The institute is mandated to undertake Research and Development activities as follows:-

• Carry-out research in civil engineering, mechanical engineering; electrical engineering; nuclear science; textile technology; energy resources; water resources; chemical engineering; electronic engineering; industrial chemistry; food science; material science; livestock and plant science; natural products; information science; cartographic and location analysis.
• Liaise with other research bodies within and outside Zambia conducting similar research;
• Cooperate with other organisations and institutions of higher learning in training programmes and other matters relevant to research;
• Disseminate research findings;
• Cooperate with the Ministry responsible for S&T, the Council and other relevant institutions in matters pertaining to research policies and priorities;
• Cooperate and liaise with industry;
• Develop and maintain a vibrant relation with the business sector;
• Mobilise financial and other resources for the purpose of carrying-out technical research under this regulation; and
• Do all such acts and things as are connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

From 1967 to date NISIR has grown in terms of physical infrastructure and human resource base which has resulted in the Research and Development (R&D) capacity in food technology, textile, building and industrial minerals, agriculture and natural resources, application of nuclear techniques and technical services. The NISIR has also provided S&T information processing, storage, dissemination, exchange and publishing services.

The major achievements and contributions to national development include:-

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The R&D activities of the NISIR Units cover, agriculture and natural resources, minerals and industrial raw materials, environmental health and technical support services.

Tree Improvement Research Centre

The Tree Improvement Research Centre (TIRC) in Kitwe undertakes research in plants (trees and shrubs) with potential for industrial, medical and household use. The centre has a plant tissue culture facility that can be used for research and rapid multiplication of plant seed material such as cassava, potatoes and horticultural plant using laboratory-grown plantlets. Zambia Seed Company (ZAMSEED) has been a beneficiary in the centre of tissue culture activities.

The Centre is involved in research management and sustainable use of Uapaca kirkiana (Musuku) trees in natural stands in Kanona, Serenje. The research is aimed at yield improvement, early maturity and conservation of tree species. Inter-cropping and appropriate agro-forestry practices that are commonly based in the areas where Musuku grows are in progress.

The Centre is involved in research management and sustainable use of Uapaca kirkiana (Musuku) trees in natural stands in Kanona, Serenje. The research is aimed at yield improvement, early maturity and conservation of tree species. Inter-cropping and appropriate agro-forestry practices that are commonly based in the areas where Musuku grows are in progress.

The Centre’s research on Phytolacca dodecandra, a potent natural molluscicide (snails killing chemical), has successfully demonstrated the efficiency of the saponin from the berries in killing snails in a bilharzia endemic area in Chingola. The research currently is aimed at scaling up production of saponin from the berries. Toxicological and environmental impact investigations are also in progress. Toxicological and environmental studies are needed for safe use of the saponin in control of the bilharzia vector (snail as part of an Integrated Bilharzia (Scistosomiasis) Control.

The Centre has research capability in natural essential and aromatic oils that can be exploited by pharmaceutical, cosmetic and non-traditional export enterprises.

The past successes of the Centre include: successful feasibility study to cultivate Jatropha curcass a plant with seed oil that can be used in soap making as a substitute for imported tallow; production of disease (virus) free pre-basic potato seed for Zambia Seed Company for 1993/94 and 1995/96 seasons. The seeds produced so far total over 20,000 tubers.

Livestock and Pest Research Centre (LPRC)

Livestock and Pest Research Centre (LPRC) at Chilanga has activities concentrated on identification of factors that adversely affect livestock health and re-productivity. More attention is given to the problems of livestock in the traditional (subsistence/peasant farming) sectors to equip farmers with scientific knowledge for better management of their herds.

The results of the past research include:-
· Identification of Theileria species (agents causing corridor disease) that occur in Zambia.
· Production of urea-molasses blocks for as feed supplementation for cattle during the dry season when nutrition of the animals is inadequate.
· Determination of pattern of tick resistance to commercially marketed acaricides and factors leading to such a problem. An alternative safe, cheaper and environmentally friendly natural pesticide has been developed from local plants (ububa).
· The pattern of reproductive disorders causing infertility in livestock has been established and packages to remedy the problems suggested. The reproductive traits of one local breed of cattle have been established.
· Mycotoxins occurring in maize and groundnuts have been determined.
· The reference Centre on ticks found in Zambia and their description has been established.

Water Resources Research Unit

The Water Resources Research Unit’s activities involved the monitoring and assessment of the Zambian surface and ground water resources for both quality and quantity with emphasis on heavily industrialised parts of the country. Hydro-geological studies have also been conducted by the Unit to determine the hydrological properties of different rock formation in drought-prone areas of Kalomo and hydro-geological maps indicative of the water potential have been prepared.

The major results of the Unit include inventory reports for the Chambeshi and upper Kafue River Basins; water pollution data for mining areas in Chingola, Kitwe, Kalulushi and effects of effluents on the Kafue River. Reports have also been prepared on water pollution arising from textile, tannery, yeast and sugar industries in Kafue and Mazabuka. The Unit led a team, which drafted the Environmental Pollution Protection and Control Act of 1990, which eventually resulted in the formation of the Environmental Council of Zambia.

The Unit trains Municipal/District Council Technicians and others in Water Quality Control and also participated in the JICA-sponsored activity, which developed the Water Master Plan for Zambia.
The Unit was instrumental in the identification of pesticide pollution in Chiawa area of the Zambezi Valley due to larger scale spraying of the area in the farming activities in the valley.
The Unit is currently involved in the development of low cost technologies for water treatment, which include ceramic water filters, and Moringa oleifera seed for water purification.

Radioisotopes Research Unit (RIRU)

The focus of research in the Radioisotopes Research Unit (RIRU) is:-
Promotion of the use of peaceful application of nuclear science and technology in various sectors such as education, health, agriculture and industry and the provision of nuclear analytical and irradiation services to research and other beneficiaries.

The Unit has applied its research to improve the processing of copper slag and done experimental production of Titanium dioxide (a raw material for paint manufacturing) from Ilmenite ores found in Zambia. The Unit has generated data on radioactivity levels in selected mineral ores, soil, coal wastes and building raw materials using nuclear analytical techniques. Experiments have been conducted on radiation-induced vulcanisation of natural rubber latex aimed at producing surgical gloves and other rubber medical products.
The results of research of the Unit include irradiation of plant materials (finger millet and beans) which are being used to breed crops that have better characteristics such as disease tolerance, high yields, early maturing and acceptable colour.
Radiation sterilisation of biological tissue grafts produced from amniotic membrane (baby sack) and pig skin. The clinical trials using amniotic membrane grafts at the University Teaching Hospital showed better results on treatment of burns compared to conventional methods (saline and antibiotic ointment application). The grafts accelerated the healing of burns, wounds and consequently reduced the period of hospitalisation of such patients. Radioactivity in donated beef imported into the country was determined leading to the consignment being destroyed.

Building and Industrial Minerals Research Unit

The Building and Industrial Minerals Research Unit (BIMRU) has ceramics, industrial mineral and energy research programmes.

The achievements of the Unit include adaptation of biogas technology for Zambian conditions, development of technical process for production of clay stoves; coal briquettes; sanitary, industrial and household ceramic products currently being produced at the Unit’s Pilot Plant; characterisation of various local clays for different uses in ceramic industry and beneficiation of graphite for pencil making and other uses from the Kajumba ore in Chama and Petauke Districts.

The Ceramic body formulations by the Unit are used in local industries and the chalk making processes was transferred to Platitude Investment. The popularisation and use of biogas in Schools has been initiated by NISIR through the Ministry of Education. Four Schools, two in Southern and two in Central Provinces are currently involved.

Food Technology Research Unit (FTRU)

The Food Technology Research Unit (FTRU) has the following research programmes in fruit and vegetable; cereal, tuber and legume; Biotechnology, Food Chemistry and Food Engineering. Laboratory and Pilot Plant facilities are available for development of food processing technologies and products.
The Unit has transferred technical processes to manufacturing enterprises. High protein biscuits was taken up by the then Dairy Produce Board, carbonated soft drinks from guava, pineapple, orange and lemon by the Copperbelt Bottling Company under the Tip-Top label, cassava based biscuits by PELs Limited and Mango Juice by Zambia Horticultural Products Limited. Technical processes for baby weaning foods (Nutrifex and Formula A) and for wine from Masuku fruit have been developed but not yet commercialised.

Further, the Unit was principal in the programme by Zambia Sugar Company to fortify sugar with Vitamin A and is now working with other stakeholders to fortify maize-meal at hammermill/household level with Vitamin A.

Material Testing Unit (MTU)

The Material Testing Unit (MTU) collaborated with cotton breeders at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) to develop Chureza cotton variety grown in Zambia. The Unit also provides testing services in textile fibres, yarns and fabrics. The beneficiaries of such services include Lint Company of Zambia, Kafue Textile, Swarp Spinning Mills Limited and Mulungushi Textiles. The Unit was also involved in the promotion of handloom technology among the communities. Training of Form Five School leavers in the techniques of handloom assembly and use in the making of grain bags and other packaging material including textile weaving was done at Kalola Centre in Kabwe rural.

Technical Services Unit (TSU)

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) has repair and fabrication workshops for electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering as well as glass blowing. The TSU has provided non-graduated scientific glassware glassblowing to Schools, Colleges, Research and Development (R&D) institutions and the industry. The general glassware produced includes test tubes, stirring rods, beakers, condensers, distillation flasks and delivery tubes. The Unit has also developed surge protectors essential in the protection of electrical/electronic equipment such as computers, fridges and cold room compressors that can be used in mortuaries, against power spikes or voltage fluctuations.
The beneficiaries of glassblowing services include National Science Council Centre under the Ministry of Education, Copperbelt University, Indeni Refinery, University Teaching Hospital, Food and Drug Board Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Unified Chemicals and Zambia Breweries.

Information Services Unit (ISU)

The Information Services Unit (ISU) provides scientific and technological information to NISIR research Units and other R&D institutions in Zambia through a network of three Libraries that stock a selection of journals and books, a documentation section that collects, collates, stores and publishes various S&T literature and undertakes literature searches on Science and Technology Information (STI).

The Unit participates in information literature exchange programmes with local and international S&T institutions and is linked to regional and international information systems and databases such as International Nuclear Information Systems (INIS) of the IAEA, INFOTERRA of United Nations Environmental Programmes (UNEP) and until recently, Industrial and Technical Information (INTIB) of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). A national Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) is undertaken based on the above international databases and others.

The Publications managed and produced by the Unit include:-
· Annual Reports,
· Technical Reports,
· Zambia Journal of Science and Technology,
· Zambia Science Abstracts, and
· Sci-Tech Newsletter.

The Cartographic and Location Analysis Section of the ISU undertakes spatial and location analysis of socio-economic and natural resources data. The major products have been the Urban Land Use Maps; Maps of Geographical Distribution of Human Diseases in Zambia and publications of Census Results based on the Population Atlas of Zambia.

The institution has been involved in various Governmental and other national institutions operations either as members to the technical Committee of the main Committee looking at various activities of these institutions including reforms. The Zambia Bureau of Standards, Water and Sanitation Sector Reforms, Environmental Council of Zambia, Junior Engineers Scientists and Technicians of Zambia, Food and Nutrition Commission, Examination Council of Zambia, Curriculum Development Centre and many others have benefited from the involvement of NISIR staff.

The institution has organised several public for a on matters of Science and technology. The First National Workshop of Theiloriasis, First and Second National Science and Technology Fair (1986/88), National Workshop on Hand pumps (1988), International Scientific Workshop on Endod (1983), Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Science and Technology for Southern Africa (1989), International Atomic Energy Agency Africa Region Workshops and Training Courses (1989, ‘90, ‘96, etc).

NISIR is the National Focal Point for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Commonwealth Science Council (CSC), International Foundation for Science (IFS) and many other such international organisations.
In its immediate and medium term plan, NISIR has targeted commercialization and transfer of its technologies and processes to the industry and also directly to communities where possible. Development of technologies and processes will place direct emphasis on community based activities as well as the small and micro-enterprises.

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Send mail to lumbwe@nisir.org.zm with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research
Last modified: 02/09/07