The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
FARMERS have applauded Information Communication Technologies (ICT) as revolutionising the Zimbabwean farming sector and benefiting farmers, including small landholders.
In an interview, livestock farmer, Mr Avenesu Hove said through the use of technology-based platforms they have managed to secure more customers for their products.
“We specialise in road runners, broilers, beef and pork for our online meat shop Meatzus. We have been affiliated with a technology based farming platform Farmhut and we have benefited immensely. They linked us with buyers who are already looking for the products we offer and it has become a bit easier for us now to sell our products,” he said.
Mr Hove said through technology they have managed to reach out to many customers as they are now getting orders from all over the country and that has broadened their customer base.
Another farmer, Mrs Sizalobuhle Dube said she has had to look for additional land to increase her horticultural production.
“I’m a farmer who used to produce enough for my family and surrounding members of the community. Through technological farming platforms motivated from seeing the success stories of other farmers, I acquired more land so as to make farming a full-time business,” she said.
Mrs Dube said she opted to drop traditional approaches to agriculture which have numerous challenges in terms of production, marketing and profit and adopt large scale production. She said with technological based platforms where various information is easily accessible, she is generating an income of over US$3 000 a month.
“Besides getting information of how to grow some crops and advice I’m able to advertise my products which has attracted buyers from different parts of the country.
“Per month I can make sales of up to US$3 000 and I make sure that my customers are guaranteed to get the best products ever and the best quality they can,” she said.
A livestock farmer, Mr Nigel Ncube said farmers should adopt and embrace a new way of doing things.
“There is no farmer who enjoys seeing their livestock perish, so l encourage other farmers to adopt these technologies. Whether it’s a group on What’sApp or Facebook engage with other farmers and experts for advice and gain new knowledge.
“These have helped me a lot in terms of disease control and management for my cattle and goats,” said Mr Ncube.
Matabeleland North Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) provincial principal agronomist Mr Davison Masendeke said farmers could adopt the new technology based platforms but be precautious at the same time.
“I think of late we have much of these mushrooming. Some of them we are members of. So if we are members of we are then able to assess the information that is being given whether it is technically accurate. But I think my advice to farmers is make sure that you know that these are not briefcase advisors who want to gain something at the end of the day,” said Mr Masendeke.
He added that farmers should make sure that the company providing online services is trustable and registered.
He also noted that there was no harm in making enquiries about the organisation from even Government extension workers who could best advise them.
“Technology is moving very fast and probably in the future communication in farming will be technologically based. There is very little in terms of cost and the coverage is way faster.
“You can send an important message or alert on WhatsApp to over a 1 000 followers. Technology is going to come and help, but what we need to do is to be very careful.”
Agriculture is the most important sector, with the majority of the rural population in developing countries depending on it. With the Covid-19 pandemic effects, agriculture was less affected as the summer cropping season was almost over when the pandemic hit.
According to the 2021 National Budget the agricultural output is targeted to increase to US$8, 2 billion.
