The Government of Zambia has taken a significant step towards modernizing its agricultural sector with the official launch of the E-Agriculture Project. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Technology and Science, and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), aims to harness the power of digital technology to enhance productivity, food security, and sustainable development.
The launch event, themed “Smart Farming for a Digital Zambia: Empowering Growth Through Technology,” saw the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, emphasize the pivotal role of digital infrastructure in boosting farming efficiency. He commended ZICTA for its support in providing equipment and training to agricultural extension officers, noting that improved connectivity is crucial for the successful implementation of e-voucher systems and farmer support services. With a current ratio of 2,620 extension officers to 3.5 million farmers, Hon. Phiri called for increased recruitment and private-sector involvement in extension services. He also reaffirmed the government’s ambitious targets to achieve significant increases in the production of maize, soybeans, wheat, and rice.
Hon. Felix Mutati, the Minister of Technology and Science, highlighted the completion of two communication towers in Chongwe and the construction of three more to enhance rural connectivity. He announced ZICTA’s donation of over 500 tablets to support data-driven agriculture, stressing that digital technology will eliminate guesswork in farming by providing farmers with accurate data for planning, irrigation, and crop management. Hon. Mutati underscored the government’s “One Big Team” approach, aligning technology initiatives with national productivity goals under the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and Vision 2030.
Dr. Evans Lupiya, representing the Minister of Health and Chongwe MP Hon. Sylvia Masebo, emphasized that digital agriculture bridges critical information gaps in market data, weather forecasting, and climate adaptation. He encouraged extension officers to leverage their tablets as tools of transformation, empowering rural farmers to become better land stewards and more efficient producers.
Eng. Collins M. Mbulo, Director General of ZICTA, revealed that a 2022 sectoral gap analysis identified major ICT deficits in agriculture. In 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 enhance their digital literacy. He reaffirmed ZICTA’s commitment to supporting ICT as a key enabler of economic transformation.
The E-Agriculture Project represents a milestone in Zambia’s transition to smart, climate-resilient, and inclusive farming. By equipping extension officers with ICT tools, expanding rural connectivity, and promoting data-based farming practices, the government is empowering farmers to produce more efficiently, earn higher incomes, and contribute to national food security. This initiative reflects President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision of leveraging innovation and technology to achieve sustainable growth, economic diversification, and self-sufficiency in food production. It also strengthens collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, and local communities, paving the way for a digitally empowered agricultural ecosystem that drives Zambia toward a resilient and prosperous future.