e-GA, ministry partner on e-Kilimo portal to boost service delivery

DODOMA: THE E-Government Authority (e-GA) is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop e-Kilimo, a digital one-stop portal integrating public and private institutions to improve service delivery in the agricultural sector.

Speaking during the ongoing Farmers’ Exhibition at Nzuguni Nanenane grounds in Dodoma, e-GA’s Manager for Communication, Ms Subira Kaswaga, said the portal will connect 23 public institutions and various private sector stakeholders to simplify information sharing.

“For instance, if one institution needs data on the number of farmers, it can easily access it through e-Kilimo, as another registered institution on the portal may already have such information,” she explained. Ms Kaswaga noted that the platform will also help identify farmers’ needs and guide the development of strategies to address challenges and improve services.

She said the initiative was driven by the increasing number of smartphone users in rural areas, including farmers, making digital access to information more feasible.

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Citing an example, she said one institution may have vital data on farmers across the country, which can benefit another agency planning an irrigation programme.

Regarding research and innovation, she said e-GA is coordinating all national e-Government research and innovation development activities through its Research, Innovation and Development Centre.

The centre fosters collaboration with young researchers and innovators through internships, volunteer programmes, and industrial attachments for higher learning institutions.

The e-Government Authority was established under the e-Government Act No. 10 of 2019, taking over from the former e-Government Agency. It is mandated to coordinate, oversee, and promote e-Government initiatives, as well as enforce related policies, laws, and standards in public institutions.

This Strategic Plan is the Authority’s first since its establishment, building on the foundation of its predecessor while addressing new priorities and sustaining successful initiatives such as shared e-Government systems and infrastructure.