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Ashton Mutyavaviri
EXPERTS in agriculture have recommended the adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) saying the move would revolutionise the agriculture sector through boosting production and productivity.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) secretary general Mr Paul Zakariya said ICT would improve productivity through enabling precision farming techniques and optimisation of key resources such as water and fertiliser that will be distributed accurately and tailored for specific crop requirements.
“Farmers need to embrace the smart agriculture concept that was adopted by Government. The use of new technologies will enhance operational efficiencies, reduce costs, improve and increase production, productivity and ultimately profits,” said Mr Zakariya.
He urged farmers to embrace modern technologies in order to be competitive in the global supply chains.
ICT tools and platforms have been deployed to modernise agriculture in the country. Farmers can access weather information, market prices, and crop management advice through mobile applications which promotes increased agricultural productivity. This is vital in the country’s situation in which the attainment of bumper yields is always the ultimate target.
It is important to remember that agriculture is not just a game by chance. It is a science that requires careful attention and knowledge. People cannot underestimate the complexities of nurturing and growing crops, he explained.
Mr Zakariya added that the integration of technologies, sensors, big data and artificial intelligence was now happening the world over and Zimbabwean farmers should not be left behind.
Meanwhile, Farmbuzz Agricultural Solutions director and co-founder Mr Emmanuel Marume echoed Mr Zakariya’s sentiments saying incorporating smart irrigation systems would enhance water management efficiency through delivering water precisely where it is needed most while minimising wastes.
“This technology-driven approach reduces both water consumption and costs, making agriculture more sustainable in the face of increasing climate change-related challenges,” said Mr Marume.
ICT has facilitated the collection and analysis of agricultural data, allowing farmers to make informed decisions on crop selection, disease prevention strategies and pest management. By leveraging technology to manage data effectively, he stressed that farmers can proactively address issues that may arise during their farming operations.
Mr Marume added that harnessing technological solutions would revolutionise farming practices while addressing various challenges faced by farmers across Zimbabwe.
The Government has gone further and taken the lead in fusing agriculture and ICTs on the African continent, as evidenced by Zimbabwe being the flagship nation for the continental Agritech Blueprint within the Smart Africa Alliance.
The Agritech Blueprint and Vision 2030 provide a roadmap for transforming Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector into a modernised industry that embraces cutting-edge technology within the agricultural sector.
Government has made significant steps in integrating ICT in agriculture as it moves towards achieving a smart agriculture economy by 2025 as global production trends shift towards smart technological systems.
The major resource required to achieve the objective of becoming a smart agriculture economy by 2025 is information technology, which provides farmers with vital information and data.
Investing in ICT for the agriculture sector is part of Government’s many strategies to improved efficiency in farming and increase production.
Online Reporter