Lunyangwa Research Station operating without AS machine
Lunyangwa Research Station is operating without an atomic spectrophotometer (AS), which is the important equipment in testing micro-nutrients in soils.
A soil expert at the station, Tisungane Mughandira, confirmed the development in an interview on Wednesday last week when a group of journalists visited the institution under the tutelage of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
The media tour was a follow-up on the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad) held in Nairobi, Kenya and the Sustainable Land Management Promotion (SLMP) project implemented in Mzuzu Agricultural Development Division (Mzadd).
Mughandira said an AS machine is very critical in soil tests as it helps the researchers trace and appreciate the levels of zinc, copper, boron, manganese and magnesium elements in soils.
He, however, emphasised that this does not mean the station has completely not stopped providing services to the public because of this challenge.
He explained: “We have just been limited. But we are still conducting tests that do not require the use of this machine. Otherwise, we will provide false information to the farmers.”
Mzadd Chief Land Resources Conservation Officer Thomas Chigowa said soil and water tests are critical to the improvement of agriculture and farming as they guide farmers on the right fertilisers or manure they may need to boost soil nutrients.
Chigowo thanked Jica for donating majority of the equipment the station is currently using to conduct soil and water tests.
