The Ugandan government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has launched and handed over digital devices to Kiryandongo local government during the launch of digital information and surveillance observatory system which aims at supporting transformation of the agri-food systems.
According to the FAO country representative, Mr Antonio Querido, the dream of the project is to enhance the food and nutrition security, income and livelihoods of the struggling smallholder farmers and subsistence farmers in Kiryandongo through promotion of the inclusive, progressive and sustainable food systems.
“The project also addresses a range of inherent coupled dynamics, feedback loops and digital impacts that characterize the way agri-food systems interact with the overall objective to improve food and nutrition security, income, and livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable farming systems,” he stated.
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In his words, the digital platform is to improve the agri-food system through packing and increasing of products’ traceability, nutritional qualities, and quality certifications. It uses technology at the input chain, processing, marketing, consumption, and gathers data using food security and health entity surveys. It ensures informed operations by functioning as a surveillance tool for decision-making processes, some of which include awarding inputs and stock control.
The Kiryandongo district chairperson Edith Aliguma further urged FAO to consider training other locals on how they could effectively take and optimally utilize the digital systems for continuity since many similar projects introduced come and are terminated and their progress reversed once the sponsors pull out.
“We have seen this many times, the best is to train local people on how the system operates so that it can be scaled down to avoid it dying when you FAO leave, but also the cost of internet and network remains a challenge in remote places. “
John Matumi, the principal agricultural officer, in the ministry of agriculture noted that the system will connect all players and will be instrumental in the agro-industrialization plan and the current development of parishes.
“We know the government is pushing for agro-industrialization which is digital, so now this system will be vital on linking all actors, enabling collection of real-time data, promoting sustainable environment but also help farmers to get market, trace fake seeds, so it’s important we embrace it for better” he urged.
Speaking to the press, Martin Jacan, the chief administrative officer of KIryandongo challenged all technical heads and politicians to embrace technology, stating that it will help in the dissemination of information, particularly in the area of attracting agriculture.
“I call upon all of you to embrace this technology in totality, given the current environment, there is no way we can live without information technology, it will go a long way in bridging the gap in the agriculture sector, but also help farmers get real information and trace fake seeds in case any, I have also learnt it helps to find market, this is very good for us. “
