THE push to modernise the agriculture industry through the provision of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools moved a rung up following the Government’s launch of the agricultural information management system (AIMS) in Mutare recently.
Speaking during the launch, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr John Basera said the project would, as the biggest database, harmonise all information that is agriculture related to improve both farm operational efficiencies and the Ministry’s departmental efficiencies.
The adoption and use of the latest technology in the country’s agriculture sector ensures that agriculturists can connect with the global network of farmers, agronomists, business and other service providers to stay abreast with the latest industrial practices at the touch of a few buttons.
The AIMs project is an information system in which agricultural information is generated, transformed, and consolidated with the intention of underpinning knowledge utilisation by agricultural producers.
Dr Basera highlighted that sustainable utilisation and management of agriculture resources remained of paramount importance to the country adding that it was against this understanding that the AIMs project wasconceived.
“I want us to remain practical and ensure that we digitalise and transform our agriculture economy by guaranteeing safe and nutritious food that is safe and affordable,” he said.
The AIMs platform will be linked to the national database managed by ZIMSAT and regional databases under the African Union, COMESA and SADC for standardised agricultural data.
“It is my hope that by harmonising agricultural data and standardising it, it will improve the quality of information that is generated from this data,” said Dr Basera.
Furthermore, the AIMs platform will serve as a robust database that includes the Ministry’s departmental projects for improved information access.
The recently launched project is part of Ministry’s investment in the digitalisation of agriculture leading to automated decision making processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, increase production and productivity.
“It is the biggest database for agriculture data that integrates all agriculture information from crops, livestock, water to market analyses,” highlighted Dr Basera.
Furthermore, as Government moves to ensure food security the AIMS will guide policymakers in coming up with timely policies.
Dr Basera added: “A functional system will help guide policy makers in coming up with timely evidence based interventions that are demand driven and needs specific.”
With the advent of climate change, the use of information systems will also aid in the fight against the extremities presented by such environmental risks.
“One of the milestones in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) is building community resilience and this can be achieved through digital technologies that support adaptation and mitigation as recent trends have shown that climate change is a present-day reality,” said Dr Basera emphasising on the importance of connecting growth friendly policies with climate-smart investments to reinforce resistance. – The Herald
