Natural Resources Development College

The Registrar
(ATTENTION ADMISSIONS)
Natural Resources Development College
P.O. BOX 310099
Lusaka, Zambia.

+260 211 283 698
+260 211 382 336
+260 211 282 495

www.nrdc.biz

Background

The Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) is a training institution under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. It offers nine (9) three-year Diploma programmes underwritten by the University of Zambia. The college was established in 1964 to train middle Level managers for the Agricultural Sector and other associated industries.

The college campus is located in Chelstone area, 16 Kilometers east of Lusaka city center and 12 Kilometers south-west of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport along the Great East Road.

Vision:
Be a formidable Agricultural Institution with perfect infrastructure, market driven curriculum, motivated and highly qualified staff providing excellent training, consultancy and research to suit its high corporate image.

Mission Statement:
To train high caliber human resource, conduct research and consultancy and undertake business ventures in order to promote agricultural development that will ensure food production, wealth creation and proper natural resources management responsive to the needs of the local and international communities.

Goal:
To significantly contribute to the Country’s Agriculture Production and related disciplines
Through training of high caliber Human Resource and conduct applied research and consultancy in Agriculture and related disciplines.
Purpose:
To train practical oriented Human Resource with entrepreneurial skill capable of meeting needs of the public and private industry.


COURSES OFFERED

• Diploma in Agriculture Business Management
• Diploma in Agriculture -Animal Science Major
• Diploma in Agriculture - Crop Science Major
• Diploma in Agricultural Education & Extension
• Diploma in Agriculture Engineering
• Diploma in Fisheries Science
• Diploma in Food and Nutrition
• Diploma in Water Engineering
• Diploma in Horticulture

Diploma in Agriculture

Training

All branches of Agricultural Sciences necessary to make a successful Agriculturist are covered in the course. Specialization is offered in third year enabling students to major in Crop Science, Animal Science, or Agribusiness Management, thus increasing their ability for Entrepreneurship and suitability for employment in the respective fields. Practical training is emphasized involving routine farm duties, job-on-training sessions on the farm or ranch, small group projects and outreach farm visits. The Horticulture programme specifically considers floriculture, vegetable and fruit production in green houses as well as landscaping. Green house management is a major component of training.
 
Employment Opportunities

Varied opportunities abound for Diploma holders in Agribusiness Management; Animal and Crop Sciences Major. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives constitutes sections including General Agriculture Extension, Research, Land Use Planning, Animal Husbandry and Crop Husbandry Training in which diploma holders are absorbed.  

Public/Private Organizations and Farming Enterprises exist involved in Agricultural Industry development requiring services of Zambians with qualifications in Agro based industries such as Seed, Livestock and Ranching Companies, Field Crop and Horticultural Farms, including financial institutions requiring technical services.  

Diploma in Agricultural Education & Extension

Training

This course produces competent men and women able to teach Agricultural Science and Environmental Science in Secondary Schools, steer successful Production Units and offer Agricultural Extension services to farming communities. They are also able to run successful commercial farming enterprises.

Employment Opportunities

Diploma holders are employed to teach all aspects of Agricultural and Environmental Science in Schools in the Ministry of Education and private sector. They also work as Extension Officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Diploma in Agricultural Engineering

Training
Training content includes Basic Engineering and Mathematics, Workshop Practice, all aspects of Farm Machinery, Soil and Water Conservation, Irrigation, Pumps and Basic Agriculture.

Employment Opportunities

Qualified Agricultural Engineers at technical level are required to work in the following sectors.

• Irrigation and water management
• Farm structures (storage & processing)
• Dam construction
• Farm power and machinery management
• Well drilling

Diploma in Fisheries Science

Training

Students are mentored in all aspects of Fish Science and Management covering Fisheries Development, Fish Culture and Fish biology enabling them to work in the Fish industry.

Practical work and projects occupy more than a quarter of the course duration, normally carried out away from college in relevant environments i.e. Chilanga, Sinanzongwe, Mwekera Research Institute or any Fisheries Centers in Zambia.
 
Employment Opportunities

The Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is the main employer of Diploma holders in this field.  However, private fish farmers are also potential employers for graduates to run their fish farms.  Fish farm cooperatives provide another lucrative opportunity for young entrepreneurs.
 
Diploma in Food and Nutrition

Training
This course embraces various areas complementing nutritional aspects related to food production, preparation, processing and utilisation as cardinal factors linking food to human bodies.

The course aims to produce nutritionists with good knowledge base of food, nutrition and health.  Aspects of human nutrition, food Science, nutrition education and health promotion, dietetics and community nutrition are covered in addition to basic horticulture, poultry production as well as crop and animal Husbandry.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates are employed by a vast array of institutions. Many work for MACO, MoH, MoE, MCDSS National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), NFNC and PAM to mention a few. NGO’s and bilateral institutions include UNICEF, WHO, WFP, WVZ, IYCN, FAO, Care and Valid International.

Diploma in Water Engineering

Training
Students are trained in a wide range of subjects including Hydrology, Construction of Dams and Boreholes, Public Water Supply and Sewerage, Engineering, pumps, Irrigation Engineering and Economics.

Employment Opportunities

Students are fit for a wide range of employment opportunities including:

• Well drilling and Dam construction
• River gauging and Hydrology
• Irrigation Equipment Representatives
• Water Pollution Research & Irrigation Water Management
• Private well drilling companies
• Water and sewerage companies

The training programmes are offered both on residential and day-school basis for a duration of three (3) years as well as on open and distance learning basis (ODL) which runs for a period of  three and half (3 ½)  years or 7 Semesters.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

School Leavers
School leavers should be in possession of a full Zambian school certificate with Merit in Mathematics, a Credit in English and one at least subject from each of the following groups:
Group 1

• Biology
• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science

GROUP 2

• Science
• Physics
• Chemistry

NON – School Leavers

Candidates in possession of qualifications other than those prescribed above for entry to College programmes as specified under the following criteria:

a. In possession of Credit grading in at least three School Certificate subjects from either of the following groups:
GROUP 1

• Mathematics
• English Language
• Geography
• Economics
• History
• Commerce

GROUP 2

• General Science
• Biology
• Botany
• Zoology
• Agricultural Science

b. Distinction, Merit or Credit from Zambia College of Agriculture or equivalent institution is also regarded as a suitable academic qualification in lieu of the above.

How to Apply

Click To Download Application Form.

Fill in application forms and post to:

The Registrar
(ATTENTION ADMISSIONS)
Natural Resources Development College
P.O. BOX 310099
Lusaka, Zambia.
 
Or come in person to
NRDC (ALONG GREAT EAST ROAD)
Student Records Room (Room 1)
Ground Floor of the Tower Building

Staff members are always ready to serve you. Please bring your NRC and Statement of Results to enable them advise you on the choice of programme to pursue.

For inquiries , fill in the form below;