1) The launch of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) program in Zambia was held on June 30th, 2006. Government officials, NGO representatives, and farmers attended. 2) Guests toured an SRI rice field and heard presentations on SRI from local and international experts. 3) In his speech, the Guest of Honour, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, emphasized the need for government and civil society support to spread SRI in Zambia.

1. LAUNCH OF SRI IN ZAMBIA AND FIRST SRI HARVEST 30 th June, 2006 Preliminary report by Henry N. Ngimbu

2. SRI Launch Program – 30.06.2006 9:30 hours: Arrival of invited guests, heads of government departments, NGO representatives, and farmer co-operative societies representatives 9: 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. Makalicha 10:20 hours: Overview about SRI by Henry N. Ngimbu, SRI Chief Technical Adviser 10:30 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, Lusaka 11:15 hours: Climax:Cutting of ribbon for the launch of SRI in Zambia by Guest of Honour 11:30 hours: Inspection of SRI field by Guest of Honour and invited guests 12:00 hours: Speech by Guest of Honour 12:15 hours: Vote of Thanks by Ms. Kashiketi from Ministry of Agriculture 12:30 hours: End of programme

3. 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.

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

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

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

7. Mr. Chris N. Chinyama, a Teacher at Solwezi Day Secondary School, reading keynote speech on behalf of Prof. Norman Uphoff, USA. Vote of Thanks by Ms. Kashiketi, Agriculture Officer from Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Zambia

8. 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

9. Rotary Weeder donated by Mr. Glenn Lines from Madagascar being demonstrated to participants at the Launch on 30 th June, 2006

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. On left, Henry Ngimbu is explaining the technicalities involved in developing SRI; standing next to him is the Permanent Secretary