The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
Mr Simon Nyabadza of Rusape has been earmarked for sponsorship at the SADC Innovation and Rural Transformation Fair for his strides in finding tech-driven solutions to propel food security among small-holder farmers and boost rural development.
The fair was held in the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 27 and 28, following the Kinshasa Declaration on rural transformation from the African Rural Development Forum.
The other two projects also nominated for sponsorship are Zoro neMugoti, led by Mr Zororo Taruvinga, and Greats ICT, led by Mr Innocent Munyaradzi.
The SADC Innovation and Rural Transformation Fair provided a launch-pad for 100 young innovators from Southern Africa to showcase their projects in promoting food security and rural development.
Mr Nyabadza was nominated for sponsorship of his iFarm software application.
iFarm has artificial intelligence technologies that carry out remote sensing for climate change and risk mitigation, and also allows for early warning for diseases, adverse weather conditions like hail and optimal irrigation scheduling, among other things.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr John Basera said they have been incubating young innovators through the ministry’s youth desk.
Dr Basera said at the core of the agriculture transformation process lies innovation and agritech — the fundamental ingredients that will spur the sector to the next level through up-scaling production efficiencies and ultimately competitiveness.
“We are excited that youths are leading in this respect. This in itself will attract more youths into the agriculture sector. It is fundamental that we tap into the youth’s enthusiasm, tech savvy and risk appetite.
“Youths constitute 62 percent of our population and there is no economy that will grow without their full participation. Agritech and agricultural innovations will attract more youths into the sector and leapfrog it to the next level,” said Dr Basera.
Speaking to Post Business, Mr Nyabadza said: “We are passionate about the role that ICT can play in boosting agricultural productivity, hence our effort to reach out to our fellow undervalued small-scale farmer base. ICT and technology has the ability to uplift the lives of small-scale farmers.”
He said they also provide tech products and services to farmers in the form of agri-yield sensors, weather stations and soil moisture sensors, as well as lab services for soil analysis and fertiliser advice.
“Small-scale farmers constitute over 75 percent of the farmer base, and it is critical, in the development of agriculture, that this category of farmers be more productive, have access to fair markets, make informed decisions, have business acumen and be aware of health implications.
“iFarm Zimbabwe strives to create long term meaningful relationships in the private and public sectors, on a local, regional and international basis.
The objective is in line with the 10-Point Economic Recovery Plan — revitalising agriculture and the agro-processing value chain, focusing on infrastructure development, particularly in the key energy, water, transport and ICTs subsectors, among others,” said Mr Nyabadza.
He said areas where technology can play a tangible role in agriculture include climate change resilience through weather-related advice and warnings, access to financial products and services, access to markets, dissemination of information and knowledge sharing, among other things.
The regional opportunity for knowledge sharing between SADC member countries aims to promote collaboration and the emergence of concrete solutions to improve living conditions in rural areas.
The Fair is organised by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), the New Partnership for African Economic Development (NEPAD) and the World Food Programme.
Through initiatives such as the Innovation and Rural Transformation Fair, SADC seeks to strengthen regional cooperation and integration while promoting good governance and lasting peace.
The Fair, therefore, is an important step in the implementation of the recommendations of the African Rural Development Forum and represents a unique opportunity to mobilise the necessary resources to support rural development projects and programmes in the region.
