Presentation by Zoole Newa, Programme Manager – Agricultural Market Development and Inclusive Growth, Swedish Embassy Zambia

1. Topic: Information and communication technology for future harvests
Discussed under the project titled
Digital Information Management System (DIMS) Project
Implemented by
Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ)
Presented by Zoole Newa
Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka
Grow, Nourish Sustain. Together
and livelihoods

2. Background
Lusaka 2
• Dairy Association of Zambia (DAZ) is a member based organisation
with direct memebrship of over 6,000 dairy farmers and more than
50,000 indirect beneficiaries.
• DAZ organises Milk business around the Milk Collection Centre
(MCC) – business hub.
• Currently, DAZ manages about 67 MCCs country wide
• The Sida funded DAZ to implement a digital pilot project – 2 years
• It is implemented with 32 MCCs.
• Target 2,600 direct beneficiaries and more than 15,000 indirect
beneficiaries.

3. Background cont’d
Lusaka 3
Overall objective of DIMS
To improve the dairy production and productivity through
a digital platform that will enhance commercialisation of the dairy
value chain.
Activities included;
- baseline survey in MCCs
- sensitisation meetings
- Profiling of farmers, input suppliers, processors
- facilitations of DIMS activities eg formation of savings groups,
business trainings, dairy management trainings etc

4. Role of DAZ
• Data Management and
Coordination
• Faciliatates linkages ,
• Training and senstisation,
• Member mobilisation,
• Lobby and Networking
• Promotion of good governance
amongst its members.
Lusaka 4

5. Main challenges of the dairy sector in Zambia
• Limited participation of women and youths
• Low milk productivity and production
• Poor quality of milk produced
• High cost of production;
• Poor record keeping
• Limited access to regular extension
services;
• Limited to breeding stocks and AI services
• Frequent animal disease outbreaks;
• Limited access to inputs and credit
facilities
• Drought/ limited water sources
• Limited private sector participants
• Limited coordination among stakeholders.
• Outbreak of COVID 19
• Internet problems
Lusaka 5

6. Lusaka 6

7. Results attained
Lusaka 7
• Data base of dairy farmers has been correctly captured including the milk
production levels of each farm
• Base on the information on the system, the DAZ extension staff can now
easily make follow up on each farmer to address the issues of production and
productivity
• Extension messages and alerts are easily disseminated to the DAZ members
at reduced costs and time (in some instances voice calls are sent.
• The farmers have improved access to inputs such as medicines, feed etc
which are now mostly supplied in bulk
• Improved information delivery from MCC to farmers (Market, Extension and
general MCC information)
• Improved record keeping at MCC and farmer levels including at DAZ offices

8. Results attained
Lusaka 8
• Improved transaction processes ( eg processor to farmer , farmer to input
supplier.
• Improved access to credit through introduced savings and credit groups and
loan repayments done in instalments through the platform.
• Recorded improvement of milk transactions along the value chain than before
• New entrants on the value chain (input suppliers, women and youth)
• Enhanced Governance within DAZ and MCC through trainings on
governance and development of policies – Gender, Anti – corruption, Board
Charter, Finance and HR.
• Enhance human capital development in the use of ICT in the dairy sector

9. Performance of DIMS during COVID
Lusaka 9
• Supply of milk to MCC was limited due to restriction of movement during the
early stages of the outbreak – affected the entire value chain.
• Thus technical extension messages were transmitted to the general
membership (voice calls, and SMS)
• COVID related sensitisation were easily transmitted to the members using the
platform.
• Youth in transport business (motor bike deliveries) made additional income as
most farmers used them to avoid congestion at the MCC.
• Transactions continued to be made using the system (even more appreciated
by members)
• Bulk demands for inputs were now more pronounced to the advantage of
both the farmer and suppliers.
• Other activities could not take place eg governance meetings at MCCs, face
to face trainings etc

10. Lusaka 10
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