Online Reporter
Lorreta Songolo-Correspondent
Like many others, Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector is under increasing pressure.
Climate variability, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and limited access to modern infrastructure continue to challenge farmers in a country where agriculture anchors the economy.
The sector contributes about 17 percent of Gross Domestic Product, about 40 percent of exports, and supporting the livelihoods of nearly 60–70 percent of Zimbabwe’s population.
For many farmers, the difference between profit and loss depends on access to timely information, including weather data, crop health indicators, irrigation timers, and market prices.
Against this backdrop, digital technologies from providers like Liquid Intelligent Technologies –that offer various solutions around connectivity, cloud, AI, and cyber security — are emerging as one of the most powerful tools for modern agriculture.
Across Africa, these technologies are already delivering measurable impact. For example, Liquid has supported agribusiness platforms such as Kenya’s Twiga Foods, where IoT-enabled logistics and monitoring systems have helped optimise supply chains and reduce operational costs by up to 30 percent.
Liquid’s IoT connectivity is also enabling aquaculture farmers to monitor water quality and pond conditions remotely, helping improve fish production and reduce losses. These examples demonstrate how connectivity and real-time data can transform agricultural productivity when the right digital infrastructure is in place.
Connectivity is the foundation of data-driven farming
Reliable internet access is becoming as essential to modern farming as fertiliser or irrigation.
In Zimbabwe, where agriculture is largely rain-fed and highly exposed to weather fluctuations, access to climate and market data helps farmers respond quickly to changing conditions. Connected farms use IoT sensors to monitor soil moisture, irrigation systems, and crop health in real time. A soil sensor placed in a maize field, for example, can alert a farmer when moisture drops below a critical level. Farm managers view this data through mobile dashboards and adjust their methods.
Connectivity also links farmers to market intelligence. Digital platforms provide real-time updates on commodity prices and buyer demand. For farmers producing for commercial markets, this visibility helps them time sales, negotiate better prices, and reduce supply chain losses.
Even basic connectivity delivers value. In areas where smartphones are not common, SMS-based alerts deliver weather warnings and soil management advice directly to farmers’ phones, ensuring information still reaches rural communities.
Turning farm data into decisions
Once farms are connected, the next step is using the data effectively. In practice, this can be surprisingly simple. Cloud platforms enable farmers and agricultural organisations run advanced digital tools without the need for expensive on-site infrastructure. Satellite monitoring tools like the Government’s EOSTAT platform analyse large volumes of agricultural data quickly and cheaply, and trained AI can recommend exactly when and where to apply water, fertiliser, and pesticides, reducing costs while improving yields.
Digital agriculture is already proving its value globally. Precision agriculture tools can increase yields by 20–30 percent by enabling farmers to act on real-time data rather than estimates. Farmers still make the decisions; digital tools give them better information.
Digital farms must also be secure
As agriculture becomes more connected, cyber security becomes an important part of the equation. Modern farms exchange data with many third parties, from buyers to logistics providers, banks, and agritech platforms. Without proper protection, data breaches or manipulation are very real threats.
Zimbabwe recognised this risk with the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021, which established legal requirements for safeguarding digital information and protecting personal data handled by organisations and platforms, including agriculture stakeholders.
For farmers, compliance protects sensitive operational and financial data and builds trust across the agricultural supply chain.
Skills and collaboration matter as much as infrastructure
The success of these technologies depends on people knowing how to use them. Many farmers are highly experienced producers but have limited exposure to digital systems. Closing this gap requires targeted training and accessible platforms and devices. Across Zimbabwe, digital hubs and programmes are helping farmers learn how to use the many digital tools available to them.
Digital agriculture also depends on collaboration. Connectivity providers, cloud partners, and technology innovators such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies play a critical role as ecosystem enablers, ensuring that the digital backbone required for modern agriculture is accessible to farmers in both urban and rural communities.
Agriculture remains the livelihood of millions across the continent. Ensuring that farmers can access connectivity, digital tools, and data-driven insights is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient digital economy that leaves no African behind.
Lorreta Songola is the chief executive of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe
