The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has introduced a new digital information and surveillance system in Kabale district. The goal is to ensure that there is enough nutritious food available and that it is produced efficiently.
This initiative also aims to support changes in agricultural and food systems that are sustainable. The launch event was held at the district headquarters in Makanga, Central Division of Kabale Municipality.
Jean Marie Byakweli, a policy officer at FAO, explained that the Digital Database Registry System was first implemented in Kabale district, and it’s also being used in Nakasongora and Kiryandongo.
The project began around 12 months ago. Byakweli stated, “With this system, we hope to improve how we collect, analyze, and use data to predict, plan, and make decisions about food systems. This will lead to better food security, nutrition, health, and environmental management in agriculture.”
As part of this project, agriculture extension workers in sub-counties will be equipped with computers, tablets, and smartphones. They will use these devices to gather data while working with farmers. This data will then be accessible on a digital platform for agriculture stakeholders to understand the experiences of farmers each season.
Alex Bambona, assistant commissioner for food and nutrition security at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, highlighted that this new digital platform will assist districts like Kabale, Kiryandongo, and Nakasongola in identifying local challenges, making decisions easier, pooling resources, and bringing about positive changes.
Beda Mwebesa, the district production and marketing officer, believes that this project will enhance nutrition, improve health, safeguard the environment, and enhance the livelihoods of people in Kabale district.
Agricultural extension workers are supportive of the project, acknowledging its role in improving data collection for nutrition and food value chains. Previously, they relied on paperwork, which was more cumbersome.
Deus Baguma, the principal agricultural officer for Kabale, pointed out that poor network connectivity could pose a challenge to the project’s effectiveness.
Nelson Nshangabasheija, the Kabale district chairperson, assured that they will do everything necessary to ensure the project achieves its intended goals.
About the Project
FAO aims to enhance food and nutrition security, income, and livelihoods for subsistence farmers and smallholders by developing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems in Nakasongola, Kiryandongo, and Kabale districts.
This project addresses the interconnected dynamics, feedback loops, and digital impacts seen in agrifood systems.
The main objective is to improve food and nutrition security, income, and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by establishing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable farming systems.
Through this project, FAO supports the design and implementation of a digital platform in these districts. This platform will aid in monitoring information and surveillance systems of agrifood system actors, processes, and products, facilitating traceability, quality assurance, trade competitiveness, and improved nutrition.
Digital tools will be deployed across various elements of agrifood systems, from input chains to consumption. These tools will be integrated with food security, nutrition, and health survey outcomes.
The system will provide real-time surveillance to support critical tasks such as distributing quality inputs to farmers and managing inventories within the agrifood system.
