Extension workers: Agric revolution’s frontliners
BEFORE the advent of the Second Republic, traversing over 30 villages in Mudzi district, Mashonaland East province, under the scorching sun had become the norm for agricultural extension worker Mr Mark Tsobora.
In fact, he served over 6 500 households and on most occasions, he had to visit them on foot, with little resources.
During one of his numerous visits to one of the farthest areas in the district, Shinga Ward 4, which was more than 30 kilometres from where he stayed, he was caught up in a hailstorm. Due to his forgettable experiences on the day, he thought of quitting.
“I regretted joining this profession and cursed the day I set foot at the Mlezu College of Agriculture in Kwekwe, where I graduated with a Certificate in Agriculture. However, the love for my country kept me and other extension officers going, even though we were incapacitated and over-strained,” Mr Tsobora said.
But there has been a demonstrable and welcome shift for the over 6 000 extension workers in the past five years. The Government has since sourced over 7 000 motorbikes and a similar number of tablets — wireless portable personal computers — for them.
At this year’s Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Mr Tsobora scooped the National Agricultural Extension Officer of the Year accolade, and he credits his success to the support Government is giving to extension workers.
“Tablets, airtime, laptops and motorcycles have been distributed to us and we are now able to work smoothly, concentrating on our core business of increasing productivity among farmers.” Results are clear for all to see, as Zimbabwe has broken long-standing production records in maize, tobacco and wheat over the past few years. The increase in productivity has been one of the hallmarks of Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation.
“As extension workers, we always try to get the best out of farmers by focusing on producing maximum yields they can get. In the past, communal farmers produced two to three tonnes per hectare as the norm, but now, we are talking of five to seven tonnes on the same piece of land.”
Technology
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development considers extension officers and farmers as frontline agents for agricultural transformation and rural development. The tablets that are given to these extension workers are satellite-linked for data capture, which means they no longer need to visit offices to submit records.
Director for training and information in the ministry, Mr Sibangilizwe Dlodlo, said digitalisation has proven to be the bedrock for agricultural transformation.
“We have developed an application that allows our extension officers to record all essential data and send it to the head office here in Harare directly from the field. They no longer need to take a day or two off work to deliver records to the district offices. Now, they are highly mobile, while the information transfer is happening at the click of a button.”
This innovation has improved access to information and services that extension workers offer to farmers.
“It enhanced data collection and analysis for evidence-based decision making and planning. It also strengthened communication and collaboration. We currently run an online server on which we register farmers under the Government’s programmes like Pfumvudza/Intwasa for transparent input distribution and accurate budgeting,” added Mr Dlodlo.
“We are also implementing the online AgricTips365 and the Agricultural Information Management System, which focus on technical aspects of crop and livestock production, as well as product marketing.”
The Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services, which falls under the ministry, is also working with the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency through use of the country’s first satellite — ZimSat-1— to gather real-time progress in planting, crop monitoring and yield assessment. With enhanced assistance, farmers have been boosting their yields. In the just-ended winter farming season, where output broke yet another record after harvests surpassed 457 000 tonnes, the average yield per hectare rose to between 5,1 tonnes and 5,3 tonnes. This represents an increase in both production and productivity.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said Government wants extension workers and other stakeholders to pivot on digitalisation and modernisation.
The milestones achieved in agriculture this year, he said, serve as an inspiring example of what can be accomplished when the right policies, investment, technology and innovation are collectively harnessed.
“It is a testament to the resilience and determination of extension workers and Zimbabwean farmers, who have transformed the nation into an agricultural powerhouse,” said Prof Jiri. With continued support from all key players and stakeholders in the agriculture space and our collective commitment, our agricultural sector will undoubtedly continue to flourish.”
To date, all departments under the ministry are accelerating production as they make inroads into digitalising their operations.
Chief director in the Directorate of Veterinary Services Dr Josphat Nyika said his officers are also benefiting immensely from enhanced technologies.
“We have the Livestock Information Management System, which captures and analyses livestock information for improved production. We also have SILAB, an information system that supports laboratory diagnostic activities. It allows veterinary laboratories to trace samples from acceptance to test reports, facilitating the connection between diagnostic results and the response in the field through the transition from paper systems to computerised systems.”
The Livestock Identification and Traceability System, Dr Nyika said, is still in the pilot phase, but enables improved surveillance and management of infectious diseases and control of livestock movement. In addition, the Geographic Information System, a computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information, is used by the directorate in investigating complex disease problems. Zimbabwe is prioritising smart agriculture initiatives and was nominated to lead the Smart Agriculture flagship under the Smart Africa Alliance, a grouping of 36 African countries working together towards transforming the continent through information and communication technologies, and innovation.
The processes include precision agriculture — which involves use of instruments that use data analytics to monitor weather patterns and soil moisture levels to determine the best time to plant, irrigate and harvest crops. This also incorporates use of drones to monitor and manage crops, livestock, pests and farm equipment.