• Require that all patient records, health administration and management processes are computerised. • Establish a website so as to increase public access to health information and health professionals. • Work with the private sector to find a cost-effective means of extending telecommunications networks to all health centres. • Use appropriate ICTs to dialogue among infected groups and health care providers. • Establish ICT training programs for health care professionals. 3.8 Agriculture and Food Security ICTs have the potential to revolutionise the management of the agricultural sector and improve food security. ICTs may significantly improve information flows between farmers, consumers, and agriculturalists and thus lead to higher crop yields, production that is more responsive to consumer needs and greater market access. ICTs can be used to improve crop planning, monitoring and forecasting. Livestock Registration, Marking and Information Systems (LRMIS) can be used to prevent stock theft as well as to control diseases. It can also be used to track and locate livestock throughout the country. 3.8.1 Policy Objectives and Strategies The Lesotho Vision 2020 has identified increased agricultural productivity and sustainable food security as one of the country’s primary challenges Government believes that ICTs can be used to improve the food security of the nation by improving communications among producers and consumers as well as providing greater access to information. Objectives The objectives of using ICT in agriculture and food security are to • Improve agriculture productivity, in order to attain food security for the country. • Protect the investment of livestock farmers and prevent the spread of disease. ICT Policy for Lesotho 43

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