from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA has officially unveiled the E-Agriculture Project (EAP), an initiative aimed at boosting agro yields through smart, data-driven farming.
Launched in the Chongwe district in Lusaka, the project commenced with the completion of two communication towers, distribution of tablet computers and related equipment, to the value of K5 million (US$226 363).
Three more towers are under construction, to support connectivity in the region.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Technology and Science and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) are steering the EAP.
“Technology is the backbone of Zambia’s agricultural transformation,” said Technology and Science Minister, Felix Mutati.
“By linking infrastructure, devices, and digital training, the government is ensuring a complete ecosystem for smart farming.”
Zambia has set annual production targets of 10 million tonnes maize, 1 million tonnes soybeans, 1 million tonnes wheat and self-sufficiency in rice.
Data-based decision-making is set to eliminate guesswork in farming while technology is anticipated to drive productivity, cost efficiency and climate resilience.
Collins Mbulo, ZICTA Director General, said its participation in the EAP, through equipment and devices donation and training extension officers in digital skills, reaffirmed a commitment to supporting the Eighth National Development Plan and Vision 2030.
These identify ICT as a key enabler of economic transformation.
“ICT is central to modern agriculture, enabling efficiency, market access and data management,” Mbulo said.
The current administration of President Hakainde Hichilema is prioritising the adoption of technology to respond to floods and droughts that are blamed on climate change.
The country is emerging from the worst drought in decades but this has been defied through record production of maize which saw resumption of exports to neighbouring Malawi this week.
Zambia however is experiencing a shortage of extension officers, with 2 620 officers for 3,5 million farmers.
– CAJ News