LAUNCH OF SRI IN ZAMBIA AND FIRST SRI HARVEST

30th June, 2006Preliminary report

by Henry N. Ngimbu

SRI Launch Program – 30.06.20069:30 hours: Arrival of invited guests, heads of government departments, NGO representatives, and farmer co-operative societies representatives9: 40 hours: Arrival of Guest of Honour, Mr. Salivaji, Permanent Secretary in the Office

of the President 10:00 hours: National Anthem 10:15 hours: Opening remarks by Society Chairperson, Mr. Makalicha10:20 hours: Overview about SRI by Henry N. Ngimbu, SRI Chief Technical Adviser10:30 hours: Keynote speech from Professor Norman Uphoff, Cornell University, USA

(letter read by Chris N. Chinyama) 10:40 hours: Presentation of gifts from Canada, Madagascar and U.S. Embassy, Lusaka11:15 hours: Climax:Cutting of ribbon for the launch of SRI in Zambia by Guest of Honour11:30 hours: Inspection of SRI field by Guest of Honour and invited guests12:00 hours: Speech by Guest of Honour12:15 hours: Vote of Thanks by Ms. Kashiketi from Ministry of Agriculture

12:30 hours: End of programme

Pictures of Event

Esek Farmers Cooperative Society SRI rice field being inspected by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Mr. Salivaji, on the 30th of June 2006 in Solwezi, Zambia.

The Permanent Secretary in the Office of President and invited guests inspecting SRI field on the launch day,30th June 2006.

Speech by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of President on the Launch day, 30th June 2006.

The Permanent Secretary in the Office of President emphasizing the need for both Government and Civil Society to support and spread SRI in Zambia

Mr. Chris N. Chinyama, a Teacher at Solwezi Day Secondary School, reading keynote speech on behalf of Prof. Norman Uphoff, USA.

Galloway SRI Funds from Canada donation of ZMK 1,500,000.00 handed over by Permanent Secretary to Esek Farmers Cooperative Society

to boost their SRI farming activities in Solwezi, Zambia

Rotary Weeder donated by Mr. Glenn Lines from Madagascar being demonstrated to participants at the Launch

on 30th June, 2006

Handing over of Rotary Weeder donated by Mr. Glenn Lines of Madagascar, to Farmers in Solwezi, Zambia by the Permanent Secretary

American Embassy in Zambia application forms for small Grant to SRI Farmers in Solwezi, Zambia, presented by the Permanent

Secretary to Esek Farmers Cooperative Society at the Launch on 30th June, 2006

Expression of joy and happiness through dancing and singing by women’s group of Esek Farmers Cooperative Society, while guests watch performance at Launch on 30th June, 2006