The Zambian government has officially launched the E-Agriculture Project, a major collaborative initiative set to fundamentally transform the nation’s agricultural sector. This landmark project, driven by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Technology and Science, and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), is designed to inject digital inclusion, data-driven decision-making, and modern technology into the heart of Zambian farming.
Smart Farming: A Catalyst for Productivity
Officiating the launch under the theme “Smart Farming for a Digital Zambia: Empowering Growth Through Technology,” Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, MP, emphasized that digital infrastructure is crucial for realizing Zambia’s ambitious production targets.
“Connectivity is not a luxury; it is the lifeline for the successful implementation of our e-voucher systems and essential farmer support services,” Hon. Phiri stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving 10 million metric tons of maize, 1 million metric tons of soybeans, 1 million metric tons of wheat, and complete rice self-sufficiency. The Minister also issued a call for intensified recruitment, noting that the current 2,620 extension officers are severely stretched serving 3.5 million farmers, and urged greater private-sector participation in extension services.
ZICTA Invests K5M to Close Digital Gap
The role of technology as the “backbone of Zambia’s agricultural transformation” was highlighted by Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Mutati, MP. He reported on tangible progress in rural connectivity, including the completion of two communication towers in Chongwe and three more underway.
ZICTA Director General, Eng. Collins M. Mbulo, revealed that a 2022 sectoral gap analysis exposed significant ICT deficits in agriculture. In a targeted response, ZICTA has invested K5 million in devices and training, distributing 550 tablets across 10 farming blocks and training 28 extension officers in Chongwe to boost digital literacy.
Hon. Mutati underscored the strategic impact of this deployment: “Digital technology will move farming away from guesswork. The donation of over 500 tablets will empower farmers with the accurate data needed for optimal planning, irrigation, and crop management.”
Driving National Development and Food Security
The initiative operates under the government’s “One Big Team” approach, aligning technology with national objectives laid out in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and Vision 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr. Evans Lupiya, the Chongwe District Commissioner, stressed the immediate business value of digital tools. He noted that e-agriculture bridges critical information gaps in market data, weather forecasting, and climate adaptation, empowering rural farmers to become more efficient, better land stewards.
The E-Agriculture Project is a significant step in realizing President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of leveraging innovation for sustainable growth and economic diversification. By equipping agricultural officers with modern ICT tools and expanding rural access, the project is designed to boost farmer incomes, increase national output, and create a resilient, digitally empowered agricultural ecosystem.
