The Ministry of Agriculture, in a major drive toward sector modernization, has launched a nationwide Digital Skills Training Programme for its agricultural extension officers. This initiative, a key component of the ZICTA ICT Device Support to the Ministry of Agriculture Project, is designed to enhance service delivery and efficiency, directly supporting Zambia’s ambitious goal of achieving annual production targets of 10 million metric tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of wheat, and 1 million tonnes of soybeans by 2031.
Spearheaded by Minister of Agriculture Reuben Mtolo and backed by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), the program will equip field officers with the technical competence necessary to operate effectively in a digital environment. The training is crucial for enabling officers to collect real-time data, register farmers electronically, monitor pests and diseases efficiently, and utilise technology to facilitate timely decision-making and communication with farming communities across the country.
The new training is an expansion of earlier strategic efforts by ZICTA to address the sector’s digital infrastructure challenges. A 2022 study had highlighted significant constraints, including limited ICT access, weak connectivity, and low digital literacy among field personnel. In response, ZICTA previously distributed 550 tablets to extension officers in 20 districts in 2024. This latest training aims to consolidate those initial gains, ensuring all officers can fully leverage digital platforms to boost agricultural productivity.
Beyond the training of its workforce, the Ministry is integrating several digital innovations that are actively reshaping Zambia’s farming landscape. These include the Agribusiness Market Information System, which furnishes farmers with critical, real-time data on market trends and prices, and the electronic Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which is designed to improve the transparency and efficiency of input distribution. Furthermore, the Zambia Electronic Single Window is streamlining permit applications for imports and exports, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for farmers and agribusinesses alike.
The formal launch of the digital training programme marks a major milestone in Zambia’s agricultural modernization agenda, promoting a future characterized by efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity. The collaborative nature of the project was underscored by the attendance of officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, cementing the government’s comprehensive commitment to deploying technology as a core driver for sustainable agricultural growth and innovation across the nation.
