Digital collection of data to enhance efficiency—ministry

Ministry of Agriculture says Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) are now migrating to digital methods of collecting data to enhance efficiency.

Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Grecian Lungu said in an interview on Wednesday that digitising data collection, management and analysis is one way of mitigating some of the challenges EPAs and the ministry face.

“We are looking forward to improve the quality of service delivery from all EPAs across the country,” he said.

Lungu said the digital migration is expected to help the ministry in a number of ways, including shortening travel distance to get information from EPAs and delivery of agriculture associated reports.

He said they have engaged partners who have been helping them in terms of buying and distributing of the gadgets to extension workers nationwide.

Lungu said they have also collaborated with the Ministry of Information and Digitisation to improve standards of network in rural areas to enhance implementation of the project.

National Agriculture Management and information System national coordinator Jennifer Nkosi said the system targets all EPAs in the country.

“Currently, the project is being implemented in 13 districts and with the help from Agriculture Sector Wide Approach and Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy, we expect to extend the implementation to all districts,” she said.

Nkosi said extension workers have been trained on how to collect data using digital tools and software.

Nyanja EPA extension development officer for Peter Watson said the project will speed up collection of data