Resid

The centerpiece of this project is Resid, a biostimulant developed by Symborg, a leading biotechnology companyin Spain.

Resid leverages the unique properties of a resilient mycorrhizal strain, Glomus iranicum var.

tenuihypharum var. nova, known for its ability to thrive under harsh conditions, including drought and heat.

Resid is a revolutionary biofertilizer specifically designed to enhance seed treatment for cereals and grain crops. By

incorporating Resid into fertilizers or directly inoculating seeds, farmers benefit from:

• Increased drought resistance in crops.

• Higher grain quality and optimized fertilizer and water usage.

• Enhanced tolerance to salinity and environmental stress.

• Soil regeneration, reducing degradation and improving carbon sequestration.

• Environmentally friendly farming, as Resid is biological, residue-free, and does not alter crop genetics.

  
  

Greenhouse and Irrigated Trials

• Conducted at Mount Makulu and Kabwe Research Stations.

• Key Findings: Maize seeds treated with Resid demonstrated improved drought tolerance and yielded

  significantly higher fresh cob weights compared to untreated seeds.

On-Farm Rainfed Trials

• Locations: Trials were conducted across Lufwanyama, Mpika, and Mpongwe districts, covering over

  105 hectares and involving over 20 farmers.

  
  

• The testing compared:

1. Regular Compound D fertilizer.

2. Resid-enhanced Compound D fertilizer.

3. Resid-inoculated seeds vs. uninoculated seeds under farmer-managed conditions.

• Results: A marked improvement in maize performance was observed, even under challenging rainfed

  conditions.
  
  
  

Scaling Up with Farmer Participation

The project emphasizes working hand-in-hand with local farmers to ensure real-world validation and adoption of

this technology. Trials with small-scale farmers in Chilanga (Chipapa Camp) and Chongwe (Sheleni Camp)

further reinforced Resid's effectiveness in enhancing yields and drought resistance.

Our Roles in the Partnership:

•  Konecta and Albida Agriculture:

  Coordinated the introduction of Resid to Zambia, facilitated trials, and supported distribution to farmers.

•  ZARI:

  Conducted rigorous scientific trials to validate Resid’s efficacy.

•  Symborg:

  Developed and supplied the innovative biostimulant.

•  Ministry of Agriculture:

  Oversaw the initiative to ensure alignment with Zambia’s agricultural goals.

The Future of Agriculture in Zambia

The success of this project underscores our shared vision for a more resilient, productive, and sustainable

agricultural sector in Zambia. By introducing cutting-edge biofertilizers like Resid, we aim to:

• Empower small-scale farmers with affordable, effective tools.

• Combat climate challenges like drought and salinity.

• Enhance food security by improving maize yields and grain quality.

Our collaboration demonstrates that with the right partnerships, we can achieve meaningful progress in transforming agriculture.