The Agriculture Information System (AIS) was launched on Monday, marking a pivotal shift in improving the sector through technology.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, at the launch of the system at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, emphasised the need to embrace technology to improve services and develop a better data system.
The system offers several components including a farm register module, that will create a comprehensive database of farmers, including biodata and contact details. It also provides georeferencing of farms, a farm profile, and a survey module for creating and processing farm surveys. Other components include the core, extension module, and survey module.
Minister Mustapha further said that the AIS will revolutionise how the ministry collects, manages, and use agriculture data. The system will also address challenges with data collection and allow extension officers to operate more efficiently.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha at the launch of the new system (Photo: MoA/ October 7, 2024)
“We can know who are in the livestock industry, who are in cash crop, and fruits and vegetable or who are in the rice sector, the fishing sector. So, what this will do, this will help us first of all to know those persons who are in the various sectors, and it will help us to plan,” Mustapha said.
He revealed that the AIS is not a standalone project but will be complemented by AIS hubs located in 8 of the 10 administrative regions.
“These hubs will serve as collaborative spaces for extension officers fully equipped with modern office facilities, internet and computers, extension officers will also be equipped with tablets so that we can real-time data,” Mustapha said.
Developed by Intellect Storm, the AIS tracks the support or assistance received by farmers, including interactions with extension officers and records of which officers visited a farmer. CEO of Intellect Storm, Rowen Willabus said the system will allow for real-time data gathering.
“We have what we call behind the scenes stages of growth for every item so by knowing the stages and knowing when something is on the farm, the system will automatically tell you when it moves into harvest or when it is ready for reaping,” Willabus explained.
The project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). IDB’s General Manager for the Caribbean Anton Edmunds during brief remarks reiterated that the launch of the system also supports economic prospects.
“This initiative highlights the promising trajectory of Guyana’s agricultural sector towards modernisation, increased productivity and sustainable development. The AIS is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and shared vision,” Edmunds said highlighting the importance of food security in the region.
The launch of the AIS aims to drive efficiency, boost productivity, and streamline the Ministry’s internal processes. Training has already begun for extension officers.
The AIS will only be used internally at the ministry but in the future, it will be made available to farmers.
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