DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY - Towards climate-smart digital and data-enabled agriculture in Malawi
The objective of digital technology in climate adaptation in agriculture sector is to build strong communities that are resilient to climate and economic shocks
LILONGWE, Malawi (Planet Defence) – Subsistence farmer knowledge and use of digital technologies within agriculture sector is critical to incorporate data – enabled climate – smart agriculture technologies adaptation strategies writes Owen Nyaka and Charles Mkoka.
The overarching objective of digital technology in climate adaptation in agriculture is to build strong communities that are resilient to climate and economic shocks in the Zambezi Basin, and Malawi.
Speaking during a one – day stakeholders gathering in digital technologies relating to climate adaptation to offer insights into best ways to increase uptake and use in climate adaptation Dr. Rodwell Mzonde, Director of Planning in the Ministry of Agriculture explained that agriculture is indespensable to Malawi’s economic prosperity.
While this is common knowledge, Dr. Mzonde stressed it is pertinent to emphasize that if we build the necessary resilience infrastructure in this sector. We will have to free up alot of resources from other sectors such as tourism, health and education among others.
"The Ministry is diligently working to counter the effects of climate change through development of sustainable and appropriate programs for both crops and livestock production,” Mzonde told the participants.
In his remarks, Integrated Water Management Institute (IWMI), Senior International Researcher, Dr. Greenwell Matchaya underscored a need to better understand how to harness this knowledge. He added the more effectively we understand it, then we can address challenges posed by climate change effects.
Dr. Matchaya a Malawian economist based in Pretoria, South Africa says studies of this nature will provide policymakers and stakeholders with valuable insights into priority areas and strategies for scaling up adaptation through use of digital technology.
"We are also committed to promoting irrigation development and the efficient use of water resources, strengthening early warning systems and harnessing geographical Information systems and remote sensing to map drought and flood – prone areas," said Dr. Matchaya adding that proper adaptation to climate change necessitates comprehensive studies on adaptation pathways, knowledge management and continuous learning.
He added, we must invest in knowledge generation process that will guide our programming.
As one of the Centres of International Agriculture Research, IWMI recognises that digital technology is important in facilitating climate adaptation, but its potential in Malawi, in the context of agriculture, is not yet well understood.
Incorporating climate-smart digital and data-enabled climate-smart agriculture technologies into national strategies is therefore important because they enhance resilience and facilitate adaptation to climate change.
Since 2022, IWMI has been conducting regional and national studies through a partnership between the Global Centre on Adaptation and the African Development Bank.
These studies seek to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of the usage and challenges of climate-smart digital and data-enabled technologies in agriculture in Malawi.