IICD supported project: Strengthening the Agricultural Information Flow and Dissemination System of the National Agricultural Information Services - Zambia

Countries: Zambia [ZM]
Sectors: livelihoods

Summary

This project is supported by IICD since 2006 and is run by National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS), a department of the Ministry of Agriculture. It involves managing the information flow between Lusaka and disctrict station Kasama in the North of the country. Currently, there is one extension worker to approximately 1000 farmers, and most information is collected in person from sources and then stored as hard copy. This project aims to improve information flow within NAIS through the use of internet; strengthen linkages between agricultural research, extension, farmers and other stakeholders; increase the capacity of NAIS to collect, process, package, store and disseminate agricultural information and increase capacity of NAIS to publish in more accurate and appropriate formats.

Update

Updated: 2008-09-19

• Improved involvement of decision makers
• Hardware and infrastructure is procured and operational

Introduction

Zambia has tremendous agricultural potential, but between 80 and 90 percent of the country’s farmers work small-scale or subsistence operations, and most are impoverished. However, farming provides one of the most common livelihoods for the populace, especially since the decline of the mining and manufacturing industries. One reason this sector has performed below expectations is because of weak links between farmers, extension workers and researchers. Currently, there is one extension worker to approximately 1000 farmers, and most information is collected in person from sources and then stored as hard copy; sometimes it is delivered in a format or language inaccessible to local farmers.

Objectives

The pilot stage of this project involves managing the information flow between Lusaka and Kasama, which demands not only that information travel a substantial distance but also that it be translated into the local language, Bemba. Overall, this project aims to:

• Improve information flow within NAIS
• Strengthen linkages between agricultural research, extension, farmers and other stakeholders
• Increase the capacity of NAIS to collect, process, package, store and disseminate agricultural information
• Increase capacity of NAIS to publish in more accurate and appropriate formats

Development Impacts

A smoothly-functioning information loop between Lusaka and Kasama will ensure that extension officers and farmers are better informed about current and relevant agricultural issues. This project will eventually help improve small-scale farmers’ livelihoods by expediting the flow of critical knowledge, which should result in greater food and export crop production, improved food security and higher incomes for farmers. While the project is not expected to generate revenues itself, access to information by stakeholders could significantly alter the way farming and marketing is done, leading to a more efficient and competitive agro-business environment.

Management and organisation

The National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) is responsible for transferring knowledge from researchers to extension officers who work with farmers to ensure the development of a healthy agriculture sector. Information flows have become slow and ineffective, and the use of ICTs can significantly improve this, especially in terms of the level of efficiency in gathering, processing and disseminating knowledge.

Lessons learned

• Procurement be difficult due to Tender board based on experience Zambian Agriculture Research Institute
• Involvement of top management was limited: This prompted a need to compel top management to endorse the IICD – NAIS agreement

Budget

Euro 91,000.00

Project Owner : National Agricultural Information Services (part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)

Project Partners : Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Market Information Centre, Zambia National Farmers Union

Project Contact : IICD