• The Zambian government launched a digital skills training initiative for agricultural extension agents as part of its sector modernization strategy.
• The country targets annual production of 10 million tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of wheat, and 1 million tonnes of soy by 2031, powered by digitalization.
• The GSMA estimates continued digitalization will contribute an estimated gain of 28.64 billion Kwachas to the Zambian economy by 2028.

The Zambian government launched a digital skills training initiative this week for agricultural extension officers . This action forms part of its sector modernization strategy. The country intends to leverage agricultural digitalization to meet its annual production targets: 10 million tonnes of maize, 1 million tonnes of wheat, and 1 million tonnes of soy by 2031.

The Ministry of Agriculture states the program aims to equip agricultural extension agents with essential digital competencies. These agents will collect real-time data, register farmers, monitor pests and diseases, and deliver updated information to producers nationwide. The Zambian ICT Authority (ZICTA) supports this initiative; ZICTA provides agents with tablets pre-loaded with agricultural applications.

The current training follows a 2022 ZICTA study on cross-sector ICT adoption. The study highlighted several weaknesses within the agricultural sector, including a lack of access to ICT equipment, poor connectivity, and limited digital literacy among agricultural agents. The telecom regulator previously distributed 550 tablets to extension agents across twenty districts in 2024.

This training launch occurs two weeks after Zambian authorities requested World Bank support to reinforce national workforce digital skills, specifically in the mining and agricultural sectors. Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo highlighted his department's other existing technological innovations during the training ceremony.

These established innovations include the Agri-Food Market Information System, which provides producers with updated pricing and market data. They also comprise the electronic voucher system for the Farmer Input Support Programme and the Zambia Electronic Single Window, a unified platform that facilitates online import and export permit applications for agricultural businesses and farmers.

"These innovations help make Zambian agriculture more efficient, more transparent and more inclusive," the Minister declared. He added, "We use technology to empower farmers and prepare a resilient, forward-looking sector."

The GSMA's October 2024 report, Driving Digitalisation of the Economy in Zambia: Leveraging Policy Reforms, emphasizes that digital technology fosters precision agriculture, targeted information access, and improved market connection. The organization projects that adopting these tools could boost yields by 10.5% to 20% and increase profits by up to 23%. Furthermore, the GSMA estimates the potential value addition could reach 1 billion Kwachas ($45.5 million), representing 0.14% of GDP, alongside the creation of 300,000 jobs and 250 million Kwachas in tax revenue by 2028.

The agricultural sector represents 23% of the country's employment but contributes only 3% of GDP, according to Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) data cited by the GSMA.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum