Henry Hunga
| Organization type | Government/Bilateral Organization |
|---|---|
| Country | Malawi |
This member participated in the following Forums
Forum Forum: 2013 CTA ICT OBSERVATORY “Strengthening e-Agriculture Strategies in ACP Countries”
Question 1 (opens 25 Feb.)
Submitted by Henry Hunga on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 14:19
Thanks BKaddom
As for Malawi there has not beenn any sector identified in the earlier policy that has expanded on it. What I know now is that the government is trying to develop another policy (Office of the President and Cabinate) on ICT but I don't know how this will one will improve on the earlier oilicy in terms of benefiting the development sectors identified.
Link to a repot by a news paper on the new ICT policy.
http://www.faceofmalawi.com/2011/08/government-to-have-ict-policy/
As for Malawi there has not beenn any sector identified in the earlier policy that has expanded on it. What I know now is that the government is trying to develop another policy (Office of the President and Cabinate) on ICT but I don't know how this will one will improve on the earlier oilicy in terms of benefiting the development sectors identified.
Link to a repot by a news paper on the new ICT policy.
http://www.faceofmalawi.com/2011/08/government-to-have-ict-policy/
Submitted by Henry Hunga on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 14:20
Dear Ben and All
The Ministry has taken and is still taking steps towards the promotion of e-agriculture. The one that immediately comes to mind is the agriculture commodity price system which has used phones for some time. Farmers are able to get the prices of commodities including livestock through their hand sets.
Recently, about a week ago ACTESA with support from COMESA was in Malawi briefing Directors in the Ministry of Agriculture on the need to have a portal for food balance for SADC which can help policy makers and farmers track the levels of production, what is needed for local consumption, where is deficit and what prices can farmers get if they export to those markets. We have a loca Food Balance Sheet but its only used by policy makers and can no benefit the local farmers. These initiatives may be well supported with an e-agriculture strategy and policy in place.
On top of commodity prices and food balance sheet the strategy should specifically look at the environment and livestock. On environment we may think of the Sustainable Land Managment Voucher which is to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi. Those farmer practicing SLM within their catchments will benefit with inputs from government. Usiing e-agriculture these inputs may easily be bought online and the information easily shared among peers be it farmers or extension agents/partners using the same e-agriculture.
On livestock Im looking and the milk bulking groups/hides and other livestock products that need real time information for their marketing to avoid wastage and low prices.
Below is the link to the ICT policy released in 2006. But of late the Office of the President and Cabinate has been working on the National ICT policy but its not out yet:
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/unpan/unpan033688.pdf
The Ministry has taken and is still taking steps towards the promotion of e-agriculture. The one that immediately comes to mind is the agriculture commodity price system which has used phones for some time. Farmers are able to get the prices of commodities including livestock through their hand sets.
Recently, about a week ago ACTESA with support from COMESA was in Malawi briefing Directors in the Ministry of Agriculture on the need to have a portal for food balance for SADC which can help policy makers and farmers track the levels of production, what is needed for local consumption, where is deficit and what prices can farmers get if they export to those markets. We have a loca Food Balance Sheet but its only used by policy makers and can no benefit the local farmers. These initiatives may be well supported with an e-agriculture strategy and policy in place.
On top of commodity prices and food balance sheet the strategy should specifically look at the environment and livestock. On environment we may think of the Sustainable Land Managment Voucher which is to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi. Those farmer practicing SLM within their catchments will benefit with inputs from government. Usiing e-agriculture these inputs may easily be bought online and the information easily shared among peers be it farmers or extension agents/partners using the same e-agriculture.
On livestock Im looking and the milk bulking groups/hides and other livestock products that need real time information for their marketing to avoid wastage and low prices.
Below is the link to the ICT policy released in 2006. But of late the Office of the President and Cabinate has been working on the National ICT policy but its not out yet:
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/unpan/unpan033688.pdf
Submitted by Henry Hunga on Mon, 02/25/2013 - 15:44
My name is Henry Hunga working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Malawi. The Malawi Government has an ICT policy under the Ministry of Information which has tried to encompass the other Ministries that need ICT for their effective deliverly of services. Nethertheless there is are e-agriculture stategies in place that may help achieve the original idea of the ICT policy. I have put and extract of the Malawi ICT policy especially the part that touches on agriculture. It these objectives were put into use and the strategies expounded I am sure the agriculture sector could improve in terms extension delivery, marketing of products and management of natural resources. On the other hand to access funding from donors and partners would be easy with e-agriculture strategies in place.
Excepts of the National ICT Policy in Malawi
3.6.1. Modernization of the Agriculture Sector
Objective(s)
Objective 1
To promote the utilization of ICTs in agro-business industry
Strategy
• Promote the exploitation and utilization of ICTs in the production and
processing of non-traditional export commodities to enhance the
foreign exchange earning power of the country.
Objective 2
To strengthen the development, application and transfer of agro-based
technologies using ICTs to support sustainable agriculture production and
improve quality of agricultural produce
Strategy
• Encourage the incorporation of ICT in the production of agroequipment
and the processing of raw materials.
Objective 3
To support and promote research in Agricultural production and processing
using ICTs in order to come up with more efficient methods and inputs
- 25 -
Strategies
• Encourage the exploitation, development, adaptation and utilization of
ICTs to reduce pre-harvest and post-harvest losses in agricultural
production.
• Promote and support agricultural e-research targeting the development
of a modernized and globally competitive agriculture sector.
• Encourage the use of ICT to improve research competence and promote
the application and transfer of new technologies to support improved
agricultural production and processing.
Objective 2
To strengthen agricultural and natural resources extension using ICTs
Strategies
• Revitalize the agricultural extension services by empowering and
equipping farm extension service workers with relevant ICT skills.
• Utilize ICTs to link farmers and farmers’ groups and associations to
resources and services that they need to improve their livelihoods
through agricultural productivity, profitability and food security.
• Establish clear forward and backward linkages between agricultural
education (formal and informal), Research and Development, farming,
agro-industry and marketing through ICT.
Objective 3
To support the modernization and commercialization of the key subsectors
of agriculture using ICTs in order to achieve long-term growth in
the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.
Strategy
• Develop Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applications to
monitor and support sustainable environment usage in areas like land
and water management, yield assessment and livestock management.
- 26 -
Excepts of the National ICT Policy in Malawi
3.6.1. Modernization of the Agriculture Sector
Objective(s)
Objective 1
To promote the utilization of ICTs in agro-business industry
Strategy
• Promote the exploitation and utilization of ICTs in the production and
processing of non-traditional export commodities to enhance the
foreign exchange earning power of the country.
Objective 2
To strengthen the development, application and transfer of agro-based
technologies using ICTs to support sustainable agriculture production and
improve quality of agricultural produce
Strategy
• Encourage the incorporation of ICT in the production of agroequipment
and the processing of raw materials.
Objective 3
To support and promote research in Agricultural production and processing
using ICTs in order to come up with more efficient methods and inputs
- 25 -
Strategies
• Encourage the exploitation, development, adaptation and utilization of
ICTs to reduce pre-harvest and post-harvest losses in agricultural
production.
• Promote and support agricultural e-research targeting the development
of a modernized and globally competitive agriculture sector.
• Encourage the use of ICT to improve research competence and promote
the application and transfer of new technologies to support improved
agricultural production and processing.
Objective 2
To strengthen agricultural and natural resources extension using ICTs
Strategies
• Revitalize the agricultural extension services by empowering and
equipping farm extension service workers with relevant ICT skills.
• Utilize ICTs to link farmers and farmers’ groups and associations to
resources and services that they need to improve their livelihoods
through agricultural productivity, profitability and food security.
• Establish clear forward and backward linkages between agricultural
education (formal and informal), Research and Development, farming,
agro-industry and marketing through ICT.
Objective 3
To support the modernization and commercialization of the key subsectors
of agriculture using ICTs in order to achieve long-term growth in
the agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.
Strategy
• Develop Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applications to
monitor and support sustainable environment usage in areas like land
and water management, yield assessment and livestock management.
- 26 -