ictsandagriculturalinformationservicedeliveryexperiences-111014013341-phpapp02

8/14/2019 ictsandagriculturalinformationservicedeliveryexperiences-111014013341-phpapp02

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Prepared By:Darlington Kahilu Agricultural Information OfficerNational Agricultural Information ServicesE-Mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Mobile: 0977 789723/0955789723/0967789723
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Introduction

In its 2002 information and communication technology strategy paper, the World Bank defines information and communication technologies (ICTs) ashardware, software, networks and media for collection, storage, processing,

transmission and presentation of information in the formats of voice, data,text and images.ICTs have contributed to the development of the agricultural sector for many years. however, the use of ICTs in the sector have remained low, especiallyamong the small scale farmers for obvious reasons such as non availability,non accessibility, cost implications and infrastructure limitations, particularlyin rural areas.


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Introduction cont. The rapid advancement in ICTs and introduction of new products on themarket presents great opportunities for use of ICTs in the agricultural sector.Countries that have embraced ICTs have become more efficient in

agricultural production and marketing.It is increasingly becoming difficulty for countries to penetrate thecompetitive world of agricultural trade without the use of ICTs.It is therefore imperative for Zambian farmers and other players in theagricultural industry to take decisive steps to embrace ICTs as they promotehigher productivity and access to markets not only in Zambia but beyond ourboundaries.


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Use of ICTs in the agricultural sector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has for many years been using thetraditional ICTs namely; radio, television and print media to disseminate upto date technical agricultural information and news to the farming and

fishing communities.Zambia is taking positive steps to incorporate new ICTs in the agriculturalsector particularly in production and marketing strategies. With the growing demand for technical information generation anddissemination by our famers, and rapid changes in technology, the ministryhas in recent years been designing programmes meant to use ICTs in servicedelivery.


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Use of ICTs cont..

So far a number of ICT programmes have been introduced in theagricultural sector to help farmers increase their production andproductivity.

Among the notable ones are the following:-The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has developed websites thatprovide farmers access to information using the Internet.The Ministry, through the National Agricultural Information Services

with financial support from the International Institute forCommunication and Development (IICD) has set up agriculturalinformation centers in Kasama on a pilot basis to enable farmers haveaccess to agricultural technical information closer to their doors steps.

As NAIS, we have also developed an Internet based platform whichenables farmers send questions on agriculture and receive answersusing their mobile phones.


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NAIS SMS PlatformPlatform Interface 1 Platform Interface 2


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Farmers testing the NAIS platform

Framers in Kasama A farmer in Siavonga using


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Use of ICTs cont..

Currently, this service is only available to Airtel subscribers.This system has been piloted in Kasama and the Ministry has decidedto up-scale it to cater for all the farmers country-wide.This will only be done after we get a short code from ZICTA.

NAIS is also using mobile vans to show Agric. Progms to farmers.ZARI is also implementing an ICT project aimed at enhancingcommunication between the research institutions and the farmers andalso improves communication and knowledge sharing betweenresearchers and subject-matter experts.The Ministry is also using ICTs to manage and store data, a move thathas helped to reduce loss of very vital information.

Another success story of ICTs in the agricultural sector is the Macha Works programme in Choma, where farmers are now able to grow andmarket sunflower and jatropha using information they get from theInternet.


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Use of ICTs cont..

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is currently exploring andpiloting an ICT based voucher system under the Conservation

Agriculture Scaling up Productivity and Production (CASPP) and theFarmer Input Support Response Initiative (FISRI) in 12 districts.The initiative aims at improving the efficiency in the distributionprocess.The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development is using theDigital Pen Technology (DPT).The DPT is a digital pen combined with a mobile phone and a special

form. This is a tool that is being used to solve problems of lack oftimely information flow from the various collecting sources,particularly veterinary camps that are in remote areas, to decisionmakers at headquarters. Areas where this technology is being used areSesheke, Kazungula, Monze, Namwala, Mbala and Nakonde. This toolenhances real time reporting.


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Use of ICTs cont..

Under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), theMinistry of Agriculture and Livestock has been implementing theLivestock Information Management System (LIMS).

LIMS is a computer application for collection, collation, transfer,storage and analysis of livestock data and dissemination/sharing ofinformation between the SADC secretariat and member states andother stakeholder in the livestock sector.Districts and provinces send data to National Headquarters who then

send the information to the SADC secretariat.The SADC Ministers of agriculture in 2004 approved the formulationand implementation of an Agricultural Information ManagementSystem (AIMS).


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Use of ICTs cont..

The SADC AIMS is an Internet based system that provides for storageand access to all types of agricultural information including forestryand wildlife resources.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) with financial supportfrom the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is piloting the country statprogramme in 17 sub-Saharan African countries which include Zambia.The country stat programme is a web based comprehensive databaseon food and agricultural statistics.

The database allows users to access statistical tables through theInternet and allows users to generate tailor made statistical tables,graphs and maps.


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Use of ICTs cont..

The Ministry with other stakeholders has also developed a nationalnetwork of institutions involved in Agricultural Research forDevelopment information generation, management and dissemination(Zambia Agricultural Research for Development Information Network)ZAR4DIN.Currently, ZAR4DIN institutions are adapting e-RAILS platform toserve as the AR4D information and knowledge portal providing accessto information held in institutional e-repositories and linked to theSADC-FANR, FARA and FAO portals to facilitate information f lows andsharing at sub-regional and continental levels.


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NAIS member of staff downloading information


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ConclusionInformation and communication technologies (ICTs) are a key input foreconomic development and growth as they offer opportunities for nationaland global integration while retaining the identity of our traditionalsocieties.

In the agricultural sector, ICTs are beginning to increase the economic andsocial well-being of some smallholder farmers, individuals andcommunities. With the introduction and better use of ICTs in the agricultural andfisheries sectors, we will enhance the effectiveness, efficiency andtransparency of the public sector service delivery.Studies undertaken by the Ministry under the Department of National Agricultural Information Services provide a useful framework forclustering ICTs interventions in the agricultural sector in terms of theirrelationship with different aspects of the problem of rural poverty, pooragricultural sector performance, low productivity and low farm incomes.


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Conclusion cont. As a sector, we call for enhanced public private partnership initiativesin promotion of ICTs in all agricultural sub-sectors to address issues ofimproving knowledge flows and policy environment in the sector.

This will increase the economic viability of farm enterprises byincreasing profitable market access and production efficiency,increasing the political empowerment and social inclusion of ruralcommunities.Finally, I wish to reiterate that Zambia cannot afford to lag behind in

the use of ICTs in agriculture.The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock will continue to support ICTinitiatives aimed at facilitating growth in the agricultural sector.


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Thank you !!

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