The Ministry of Agriculture has launched a nationwide Digital Skills Training Programme for Agricultural Officers under the ZICTA ICT Device Support to the Ministry of Agriculture Project, aimed at transforming service delivery and improving efficiency in the agricultural sector.
The programme, led by the Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Mtolo, and supported by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority ZICTA, is designed to equip agricultural extension officers with the digital tools and knowledge required to modernize farming services. Officers will be trained to collect real-time data, register farmers, monitor pests and diseases, and use technology to support timely decision-making and communication with farming communities.
The initiative builds on earlier efforts by ZICTA to bridge the digital gap within the sector. In 2024, the authority distributed 550 tablets to agricultural extension officers in 20 districts, addressing challenges identified in a 2022 study, which found limited ICT access, weak connectivity, and low digital literacy levels among field officers.
