BY LINDELWA MYENI
MBABANE– Eswatini is strengthening its agricultural data systems to help farmers improve production and productivity while creating better opportunities for investment in the agrifood sector.
This follows an Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS) workshop held under the Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy II (STOSAR II) programme, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the SADC Secretariat and funding from the European Union.
The workshop sought to strengthen national agricultural information systems by harmonising key indicators and institutionalising routine reporting through the regional AIMS platform.
Agricultural data and information are increasingly important in improving productivity, monitoring food security and supporting evidence-based policy decisions. Through AIMS, SADC member states are working towards harmonised collection, analysis and sharing of agricultural information.
The workshop also focused on building the capacity of national users through orientation sessions on navigating the AIMS platform and uploading data in real time.
Members of the National AIMS Technical Working Group (TWG) and partner agencies attended the workshop, which provided an opportunity for knowledge sharing and strengthening coordination around agricultural information management.
By institutionalising best practices in agricultural data management, the initiative aims to ensure that national systems meet regional standards while providing reliable information for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening AIMS as an evidence-based framework that can support smallholder farmers to increase production and productivity, while improving their access to investment opportunities.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to transform agrifood systems in Eswatini and the region, with a focus on ensuring that farmers and communities are not left behind.
#STOSARII #SADC #AIMS #AgriculturalDevelopment #DataForDevelopment
(Courtesy Pic)
