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The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) is showcasing its contribution to agricultural transformation through ICTs at the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. The authority, which regulates and licenses the country’s postal and telecoms sector, is working with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Development and other stakeholders to expand the use of digital services in farming.
This aligns with the show’s theme, “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Community,” which underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving agricultural growth and economic development.
POTRAZ is also spotlighting its ICT Innovation Drive, which creates platforms such as ideathons and hackathons to support young innovators. These initiatives provide seed funding and technical assistance for solutions that tackle national development challenges, including those in agriculture.
Innovators supported under this programme are sponsored to showcase their breakthroughs at major platforms like the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and ZAS.
By Ruvarashe Gora
Recognising the importance of connectivity in rural communities, POTRAZ is rolling out projects to expand internet access in underserved areas. Using the Universal Service Fund, the authority is working to improve connectivity in marginalized regions to ensure that farmers and villagers benefit from digital services.
As part of its showcase, POTRAZ is highlighting e-agriculture platforms that give farmers access to a wide range of services. These include equipment hire, online ordering of farming implements, and access to market trend information.
The authority is collaborating with the Ministry of ICT to strengthen such platforms, bridge the digital divide, and expand the reach of digital services to farming communities.
To further promote innovation, POTRAZ is organizing agricultural hackathons designed to identify ICT-based solutions for real-world farming challenges. These competitions focus on boosting farming yields, improving productivity, and promoting sustainable practices through digital technologies.
All these initiatives underscore POTRAZ’s role in creating an enabling regulatory environment for sector growth, digital inclusion, and innovation. By ensuring that ICTs are at the centre of agricultural development, POTRAZ is contributing to economic growth while strengthening the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.
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