Tanzania launches a digital collection system to predict crop yields

TANZANIA – The government of Tanzania has collaborated with the Moroccan government to launch a crop statistics digital collection system to have actual data on harvests in the country.

The system involves the use of a satellite, with agriculturalists visiting farmers in their respective areas to gather crop information from the grassroots level.

The launch was held at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI)- Uyole Centre, where the revelation was made to over 140 agricultural experts from across the country in attendance.

TARI Uyole Centre soil expert, Mr Fredrick Mlowe said participants have already been trained on the use of the new technology including being given gadgets such as smartphones, ready for visiting farmers in various parts of the country.

“The aim is to have actual statistics of what we produce in every farming season. Our officers used to predict the amount of crops to be harvested, a practice that is now phasing out as we are switching to digitalization.

The milestone is launched at a time when Tanzania intends to be a hub for food production in Eastern and Central Africa by 2030.

This was according to President Samia Suluhu’s revelation at the ongoing Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On the technology, Mr. Mlowe revealed that the new technology is going to collect information on each crop, with agricultural officers monitoring from the stage when the crop starts germinating until the time of harvest, a step that will also assure food security from the household to the national level.

On his part, Paulo Sheyo, the Katavi Regional Agricultural Officer commended the introduction of new technology saying it will help to gather accurate agricultural-related data in the country.

It was further noted, that fertilizer-producing company- OCP Limited, will be responsible for supervision in a seven-month farm visiting programme.

OCP Limited Sales Manager, Mr Kefas Sima, affirmed that at least 160,000 farmers in some regions have been informed of new technology, waiting for programme runners to visit the farms.

He expressed gratitude to the governments for that initiative, adding that the technology is going to boot commercial farming activities in Tanzania.

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