Tanzania has made a significant stride in its digital transformation by launching e-Kilimo, a platform designed to modernize the country’s agriculture sector. Agriculture plays a vital role in Tanzania’s economy, contributing 23% to the national GDP and employing nearly two-thirds of the population.
On July 16, Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe officially launched the platform at the Mtanana Agricultural Innovation Center, outlining its primary objective of providing farmers, particularly those in remote areas, with expert technical support. The e-Kilimo system, also accessible via a mobile app, allows farmers to connect with extension agents in their vicinity, offering them direct access to advice tailored to their specific needs.
Additionally, the platform serves as a registry for input suppliers, enabling authorities to track the distribution of agricultural products and combat the issue of counterfeit goods. e-Kilimo is also designed to enhance the accountability of extension officers through an annual performance evaluation system, in which authorities can assess service delivery and address underperformance through mandatory feedback forms.
This initiative is part of a larger effort to strengthen the country’s agricultural services, aiming to improve productivity, refine planning processes, and create a more responsive public sector. With a budget of $3 million, the program is funded by the European Union and jointly managed by the Tanzanian government and the United Nations. It is part of a broader agenda to digitize the agriculture industry, which includes mobile-based market access, digital skills training, and the implementation of real-time data collection tools.
However, the rollout of e-Kilimo faces a considerable challenge: limited internet and smartphone access in rural regions. As reported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 31.9% of Tanzanians are online, meaning the majority of the population remains offline. This digital divide poses a barrier to the platform’s widespread adoption, especially given that over 75% of Tanzania’s population resides in rural areas where farming is crucial to their livelihoods, according to the FAO.
Despite these challenges, Tanzanian officials are optimistic that e-Kilimo can bridge the gap in providing timely technical advice to farmers. By distributing best practices more effectively, improving resource allocation, and enhancing the focus of interventions, the platform has the potential to revolutionize agricultural services. If successful, this model could inspire other nations in the region to adopt similar digital tools to support their agricultural sectors.
The post Tanzania Launches e-Kilimo to Revolutionize Agriculture with Digital Solutions appeared first on Tech In Africa.
