1) The document discusses the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in agricultural information service delivery in rural Zambia. It outlines several ICT programs and initiatives that the Zambian government has implemented to improve agricultural productivity and market access for small-scale farmers. 2) Key programs mentioned include the development of agricultural information websites and centers, an SMS platform for farmers to ask questions and receive answers, use of mobile vans and digital pen technology, and data management systems implemented through partnerships with organizations like FAO and SADC. 3) The conclusion emphasizes the importance of ICTs for Zambia's agricultural sector and economic development, and calls for enhanced public-private partnerships to address issues

1. Regional ICT Media Forum held at Cresta View Hotel, 13th October, 2011.ICTs and Agricultural information service delivery – Experiences in rural Zambia Prepared By: Darlington Kahilu Agricultural Information Officer National Agricultural Information Services E-Mail: dakahilu@yahoo.co.uk or dakahilu@gmail.com Mobile: 0977 789723/0955789723/0967789723

2. Introduction In its 2002 information and communication technology strategy paper, the World Bank defines information and communication technologies (ICTs) as hardware, software, networks and media for collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information in the formats of voice, data, text and images. ICTs have contributed to the development of the agricultural sector for many years. however, the use of ICTs in the sector have remained low, especially among the small scale farmers for obvious reasons such as non availability, non accessibility, cost implications and infrastructure limitations, particularly in rural areas.

3. Introduction cont…. The rapid advancement in ICTs and introduction of new products on the market presents great opportunities for use of ICTs in the agricultural sector. Countries that have embraced ICTs have become more efficient in agricultural production and marketing. It is increasingly becoming difficulty for countries to penetrate the competitive world of agricultural trade without the use of ICTs. It is therefore imperative for Zambian farmers and other players in the agricultural industry to take decisive steps to embrace ICTs as they promote higher productivity and access to markets not only in Zambia but beyond our boundaries.

4. Use of ICTs in the agricultural sector The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has for many years been using the traditional ICTs namely; radio, television and print media to disseminate up to date technical agricultural information and news to the farming and fishing communities. Zambia is taking positive steps to incorporate new ICTs in the agricultural sector particularly in production and marketing strategies. With the growing demand for technical information generation and dissemination by our famers, and rapid changes in technology, the ministry has in recent years been designing programmes meant to use ICTs in service delivery.

6. The Ministry, through the National Agricultural Information Services with financial support from the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) has set up agricultural information centers in Kasama on a pilot basis to enable farmers have access to agricultural technical information closer to their doors steps.

8. Farmers testing the NAIS platform Framers in Kasama A farmer in Siavonga using

10. This system has been piloted in Kasama and the Ministry has decided to up-scale it to cater for all the farmers country-wide.

11. This will only be done after we get a short code from ZICTA.

12. NAIS is also using mobile vans to show Agric. Progms to farmers.

13. ZARI is also implementing an ICT project aimed at enhancing communication between the research institutions and the farmers and also improves communication and knowledge sharing between researchers and subject-matter experts.

14. The Ministry is also using ICTs to manage and store data, a move that has helped to reduce loss of very vital information.

16. The initiative aims at improving the efficiency in the distribution process.

17. The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development is using the Digital Pen Technology (DPT).

19. LIMS is a computer application for collection, collation, transfer, storage and analysis of livestock data and dissemination/sharing of information between the SADC secretariat and member states and other stakeholder in the livestock sector.

20. Districts and provinces send data to National Headquarters who then send the information to the SADC secretariat.

22. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) with financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is piloting the country stat programme in 17 sub-Saharan African countries which include Zambia.

23. The country stat programme is a web based comprehensive database on food and agricultural statistics.

27. With the introduction and better use of ICTs in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, we will enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the public sector service delivery.

29. This will increase the economic viability of farm enterprises by increasing profitable market access and production efficiency, increasing the political empowerment and social inclusion of rural communities.

30. Finally, I wish to reiterate that Zambia cannot afford to lag behind in the use of ICTs in agriculture.