Strengthening the Agriculture Information Flow and Dissemination System - Zambia

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.

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.

Read more about IICD's Zambia Country Programme.

Interview with Mr Mutondo, Chairmen of Safwa turn off Radio Farm Forum (Zambia)

Interview with the Chairman Mr Mwamina Kanyanta of Twende Coffee Radio Farm Forum

• Improved involvement of decision makers
• Hardware and infrastructure is procured and operational both at Headquarters as at district level in Kasama
• LAN between two locations is up and running
  
• Information Storage System to archive information products. This information is also accessible though a Google based library, so that radio and television producers can upload descriptions and details of a programmes produced.
• Staff members are trained in database software
• 26 NAIS HQ staff attended a half day Team Communication Workshop to increase capacity in virtual team communication
• NAIS bought 10 more computers for it's staff
  

Interview with Mr Mwenge Yamanda, acting District Agricultural Officer Kasama

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

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.

Read more about IICD's approach towards Livelihoods.

Interview with Jonathan Mwamba, NAIS officer Kasama

• 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.

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

Interview with the Director of NAIS Mr Mulekelwa Mukelebai