By Alex Nelson Malanga
Mbinga. Mbinga Town Council (MTC) has registered 64.7
percent of its farmers since the digital registration exercise kicked off in
the 2022/23 production season, official data show.
Data from the MTC’s Agriculture Department show that 23,222
out of 35,876 farmers have already been registered with the digital system
which provides a room for effective service delivery and productivity.
Speaking on Friday (July 26), Mbinga Town acting director
Dr. Kung’e Nyamuryekung’e said the digital registration paves a room for
farmers to easily access subsidised farm inputs, extension services, market
information and related services.
The government’s idea of coming up with the digital
registration was meant to establish a credible National database of all farmers
which will capture key details including the National Identification Card or
number, location, type of crop and crop acreage a farmer has.
“The digitization of farmers’ records will serve the needs
of both farmers and the government in developing agricultural policies based on
evidence and the real needs of farmers,” asserted Dr. Nyamuryekung’e.
In other words, the digital system will help and support the
implementation of various programmes meant to shape farmers and the agriculture
sector at large.
As a matter of fact, Dr. Nyamuryekung’e asked farmers who
are not yet registered with the digital system, to do so with agriculture
officers from their respective wards.
“I call on all farmers to come out and register with the
digital system so that they can access government services easily,” he urged,
while noting that the registration is free of charge.