Zimbabwe is taking a major step in modernizing its agricultural statistics through the integration of Earth Observation (EO) technologies. This week, the country is hosting a training workshop organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together national experts for hands-on sessions aimed at enhancing the capacity to generate timely, accurate, and reliable data on crop types, acreage, and yields.
Funded by the African Development Bank as part of the Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Facility (ZEFPF), this initiative represents a pivotal step in transforming Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape. By leveraging ICT and innovative practices, the country is positioning itself to address the challenges of modern agriculture, benefiting both farmers and the broader economy.
The workshop forms part of the FAO-led Earth Observation for Agricultural Statistics (EOSTAT II) initiative, which supports countries in establishing EO-based crop statistics and monitoring systems. The program focuses on developing and harmonizing crop type and yield data collection practices in Zimbabwe, aligning with the country’s ongoing digital transformation to improve agricultural planning, food security, and climate resilience. “This initiative will significantly transform Zimbabwe’s agricultural industry. Our vision of modernizing agricultural monitoring and analysis through cutting-edge digital technologies perfectly aligns with this initiative. EOSTAT II’s hands-on training is not only timely but necessary for developing our staff’s technical capacity. Digital agriculture is one of the industry’s top priorities for transformation,” said Hillary Mugiyo, Specialist and Early Warning Officer in the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services Directorate.
The EOSTAT program is a global FAO initiative that leverages satellite data and geospatial analytics for agricultural monitoring. In Zimbabwe, the project is implemented in collaboration with the Government, led by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, with key partners including the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT), the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA), the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), the Zimbabwe Centre for High Performance Computing (ZCHPC), the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Marondera University of Agricultural Science and Technology (MUAST), and the Meteorological Services Department (MSD). The initiative also benefits from a strong academic partnership with the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), whose experts provide training and methodological guidance.
Building on earlier efforts to institutionalize EO tools within national systems, this second phase of EOSTAT II provides participants with practical experience in advanced EO data processing, crop classification, and yield estimation. Training sessions were delivered jointly by FAO experts and Guillaume Jadot, PhD student from UCLouvain, strengthening national expertise in crop monitoring methods. These skills are essential for operationalizing EO technologies within agricultural monitoring and statistics. “This milestone reflects our commitment to improving the quality and timeliness of agricultural data. It aligns directly with ZIMSTAT’s mandate to produce reliable statistics for evidence-based policy and planning,” said Learnmore Mugwadiki, Statistical Officer at ZIMSTAT.
Participants included technical staff from all key implementing partners, ensuring that the skills and knowledge gained will be sustained within national institutions. “As ZINGSA, we are excited to be part of this transformative journey. The training will deepen our understanding of EO applications in agriculture and open new avenues for collaboration across sectors,” said Pepukai Chifamba, Senior Scientist at ZINGSA.
The EO-based crop monitoring system is being implemented with a strong focus on sustainability. By embedding tools and workflows within national institutions and building local capacity, Zimbabwe is poised to generate agricultural statistics that are timely, reliable, and relevant for policy-making. These improvements will support strategic planning, early warning systems, and climate-smart agriculture. “Zimbabwe’s commitment to integrating EO technologies into its agricultural monitoring systems is commendable. Through EOSTAT, we are not only transferring knowledge but co-creating solutions that will serve the country for years to come. By the end of this training, participants will have first-hand experience with tools and workflows that can directly support their work in agricultural monitoring and statistics,” said Lorenzo de Simone, FAO-EOSTAT Global Project Leader.
The initiative reflects the value of international partnerships, with institutions such as UCLouvain providing advanced expertise to ensure Zimbabwean specialists are at the forefront of EO-based agricultural monitoring. It also mirrors Zimbabwe’s growing momentum in leveraging digital innovation to transform its agrifood systems. As the country embraces geospatial technologies for sustainable development, FAO reaffirms its commitment to supporting national efforts to harness data-driven solutions for resilience, productivity, and inclusive growth. “This workshop comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe, following its international recognition for excellence in geospatial innovation. It reflects the country’s growing leadership in harnessing digital technologies for sustainable development. FAO remains committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s journey towards smarter, data-driven agrifood systems that empower communities and strengthen resilience,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.
