By Delicious Mathuthu
Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister, Honourable Dr. Tatenda Mavetera says digitalisation of the agriculture sector in Zimbabwe is key to improved farming and efficiency.
She said this during the handover of 50 laptop computers to the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ministry at Ngungunyana Government Building in Harare, Zimbabwe recently.
The handover of the laptops is part of a Government drive towards digital transformation of its department inline with the national vision of a digital economy by year 2030.
This also follows another consignment of 1000 laptops that were conferred to the Lands Ministry by the ICT Ministry in the recent past.
Dr. Mavetera promised to bring more ICT equipment to the agriculture Ministry when resources allow.
Speaking during the handover, Dr. Mavetera said collaboration between government Ministries is a key driver towards advancing Zimbabwe’s farming sector digitally.
“To achieve true digital transformation within our agricultural sector, it is essential for Ministries to collaborate seamlessly towards shared goals.
“The synergy between the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services and Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is crucial for successfully implementing technological advancements across all aspects of farming operations,” she said.
Digital literacy among farmers and creation of partnerships between government and private enterprises specializing in agriculture technological solutions is needed, Honourable Dr. Mavetera said.
ICT maximises land utilisatisation through efficient farming methods and management of resources, she said, as well as storing and accessing essential data needed to enhance farming.
“Firstly, ICT improves productivity by enabling precision farming techniques that optimize resource utilization such as water usage or fertilizer distribution accurately tailored to specific crop requirements.
“Furthermore, data-driven decision-making using advanced analytics empowers farmers with real-time insights regarding weather patterns or market trends leading to improved yield outcomes.
“Secondly, incorporating smart irrigation systems enhances water management efficiency by precisely delivering water where it is needed most while minimizing wastage.
“This technology-driven approach reduces both water consumption and costs, making agriculture more sustainable in the face of increasing climate change-related challenges.
“Lastly, ICT facilitates the collection and analysis of agricultural data, which allows farmers to make informed decisions regarding crop selection, disease prevention strategies, and pest management.
“By leveraging technology to manage data effectively, farmers can proactively address issues that may arise during their farming operations,” said Dr. Mavetera.
The technological tools being unveiled by Government are expected to enhance data collection, analysis, and management during agricultural activities, give Extension Officers easy access to the Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS) which includes digitalization of water, livestock, crops and policy information.
The move by the ICT Ministry will also expedite the optimisation of the May 2023 introduced e-cadastre system in the Lands Ministry, migrating from manual to digital record keeping.
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