Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
IN a significant push to modernise agricultural practices in Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has handed over 880 digital tablets to agriculture business advisers and extension officers in Matabeleland North and South provinces.
The initiative aims to enhance efficiency in reporting and provide accurate agricultural data, ultimately empowering frontline workers.
Speaking at the handover launch ceremony in Bulawayo, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, emphasised the importance of modernising agriculture and bridging the gap between education, extension and research.
He noted that the capacity-building initiative will ensure that extension officers can access critical agricultural information and resources at their fingertips.
“We are committed to empowering our frontline workers, including agriculture business advisers, extension officers and veterinary officers, to support our farmers and enhance productivity and resource management in our agricultural practices,” Prof Jiri said.
He said the digital tablets are part of a 6 000 donation by President Mnangagwa meant to provide extension officers with access to real-time data, best practices, weather forecasts, pest identifications and market prices.
“Our extension officers are around 6 000 countrywide including the veterinary officers, some got last time and some did not. We are here to distribute 880 tablets that are part of a 6 000 donation by President Mnangagwa,” said Prof Jiri.
The devices will also enable officers to conduct crop assessments, write reports and share videos and pictures.
Prof Jiri highlighted the significance of the initiative in the digitalisation of agriculture and emphasised the ministry’s commitment to effective use of the devices.
He announced that training programmes and support services will be rolled out to ensure that the extension officers are comfortable navigating the technologies.
The Insiza District Agritex officer, Mr Augustine Mhike commended the Government’s commitment to improving the working conditions of agriculture extension officers.
He noted that the gadgets will enable them to improve the sector and praised the Government under the leadership of President Mnangagwa for working tirelessly to modernise agriculture in Zimbabwe.
“We are no longer limited to manual processes. With the tablets, we can go paperless and access high-spec technology to handle the massive data we generate in the agriculture sector,” Mr Mhike said.
An advisor from Bubi District, Mr Onesimo Ncube, echoed similar sentiments highlighting the potential of the tablets to enhance production and boost food security. He noted the importance of the e-inputs distribution system, which will allow beneficiaries to sign electronically reducing the risk associated with manual beneficiary lists.
“We will put them to good use as we go forward. We can now use these gadgets and software developed for the ministry to issue inputs,” he said.
The handover of the digital tablets marks a significant stride forward in the modernisation of agriculture in Zimbabwe and the ministry is committed to ensuring that the devices are used effectively to enhance productivity and resource management in the agricultural sector.
Online Reporter