The Government of Zimbabwe has launched a Smart Agriculture Blueprint, which aims to modernize the country’s agricultural sector through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The blueprint was launched by the Minister of Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, at a ceremony in Harare on Tuesday.
Dr. Muswere said that the blueprint was a key part of the government’s Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income country by that year.
“The Smart Agriculture Blueprint is a key component of our Vision 2030,” Dr. Muswere said. “It is a roadmap for the transformation of our agricultural sector through the use of ICTs.”
The blueprint outlines a number of initiatives that the government plans to implement, including:
- The establishment of a national agricultural information management system.
- The provision of ICT equipment to agricultural extension officers.
- The development of a digital platform for farmers to interact with government, suppliers, buyers, and sellers.
- The use of drones and other remote sensing technologies for crop monitoring.
- The introduction of livestock tracking and monitoring systems.
- The construction of climate-controlled greenhouses.
- The development of hydroponic farming systems.
Dr. Muswere said that the government was committed to implementing the Smart Agriculture Blueprint and that it would work with the private sector to make it a success.
“We are committed to implementing this blueprint and we will work with the private sector to make it a success,” Dr. Muswere said. “We believe that this blueprint will transform our agricultural sector and make Zimbabwe a major player in the global food market.”
The launch of the Smart Agriculture Blueprint was welcomed by farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
“This is a very positive development,” said Mr. Tendai Mugabe, a farmer from Mashonaland West Province. “The use of ICTs in agriculture is long overdue and I am confident that this will help us to increase productivity and improve our livelihoods.”
The Smart Agriculture Blueprint is a significant step forward for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector. It is a clear indication of the government’s commitment to modernizing the sector and making it more competitive. The success of the blueprint will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of funding and the cooperation of farmers and other stakeholders. However, if it is implemented successfully, the Smart Agriculture Blueprint has the potential to transform Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector and make the country a major player in the global food market.
