IN a bold stride towards a technologically fortified future, Zimbabwe has set its sights on an innovative marriage of Agriculture and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
ICT Minister Jenfan Muswere, during his address at the Postal & Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) head offices in Mt Pleasant, Harare, unveiled a visionary initiative poised to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society by 2030.
“Today we marry two critical elements for our transition into an upper middle-income society by 2030 – ICTs and Agriculture,” Muswere announced, emphasising the nation’s need to modernise its infrastructure and agriculture sector.
This agenda is underpinned by the belief that ICT is the “bedrock for meaningful transformation,” as it sits at the heart of most technological advancements which have reshaped the world.
Muswere stressed, “We should not be left behind lest we are left behind economically and socially in the new world order.”
A crucial part of this plan, the Smart Agriculture Blueprint, aims to steer the nation’s agricultural system towards greater ICT integration, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity. To further this cause, the government is expediting the blueprint’s implementation by distributing ICT equipment to modernise their agricultural systems, embodying Vision 2030.
“Agricultural Extension Officers would use the ICT equipment I am handing over today for enhanced record management of land sizes, livestock and farming activities in each household, plot or farm,” Muswere explained.
This transition to digital record-keeping will improve efficiency, bolster equity in resource distribution, and allow for quick records retrieval through the Agricultural Information Management System.
Under this ambitious agenda, Zimbabwe has been nominated to lead the Smart Agriculture flagship under the Smart Africa Alliance. As part of its leadership, Zimbabwe will chart the course of the project’s development across Africa while crafting and implementing digital tools and solutions within its borders.
“We have a reputation in Agriculture,” Muswere stated, reflecting on the country’s various agricultural successes and dominance in Tobacco production. These achievements made Zimbabwe the “natural choice to run with the Smart Agriculture initiative.”
Through the Agricultural and Research Development Authority (ARDA), the Government has identified a piece of land where Smart Agriculture solutions would be piloted. Notable initiatives under this program include using drones for crop spraying and field assessments, driverless tractors, livestock tracking and monitoring using ICT devices, and climate-controlled greenhouses.
Moreover, an interactive digital platform is being developed to connect farmers with the Government, suppliers, buyers, and sellers in the agricultural sector. This comprehensive system will include financial, advisory, and equipment hire services accessible on smartphones.
One of the futuristic plans includes the introduction of hydroponics – farming without soil – marking a bold departure from conventional farming practices. These innovative solutions have been identified through the National Innovation Drive, initiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018.
With these progressive steps, Zimbabwe is poised to harness the transformative power of technology to breathe new life into its agricultural sector. As Muswere emphasised, this vision is not just about bringing development to the nation but also about fostering Zimbabwean solutions to Zimbabwean challenges, asserting the nation’s place on the g
