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Elements of good practice in institutional information networks and systems in agricultural science and technology. Stephen Rudgard Chief, WAICENT Outreach and Capacity Building FAO, Rome, Italy. innovation in agriculture depends on science and technology. Assumption.
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Elements of good practice in institutional information networks and systems in agricultural science and technology Stephen Rudgard Chief, WAICENT Outreach and Capacity Building FAO, Rome, Italy
innovation in agriculture depends on science and technology Assumption Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: Effective management of ecosystems is constrained by lack of knowledge and information about ecosystems but also by the failure to use adequately information that does exist.
AGRIS • Network of over 200 organizations worldwide collaborating on the shared objective of improving access and exchange of information on agricultural science and technology • Launched in 1975; new vision developed in 2002 • http://www.fao.org/agris/
New AGRIS Vision (2002) • decentralized approach • greater diversity of participating organizations • strengthened role in capacity building • focus on full text documents • greater availability of associated information about activities/organizations/people • set of web-enabled standards and tools
Challenges • Decentralization: establishment of national networks – institutions and policies • Capacity building: supporting decentralization • Content management: common approaches (standards and tools) • Partnerships: at regional/international level
GFAR • Global.RAIS • Global Partnership Programme: ICM4ARD
IISAST - International Information Systems for Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Outputs • stronger national information policies and strategies for ICM in agricultural research and development; • clear ICM plans and investments at national and institutional levels; • better information products and services delivered to local and national stakeholders by international/regional systems and services; • one "international approach" with all key stakeholders.
Expert Consultations(Oct. 2005 & Sep. 2007) Task Forces (Advocacy & Content Management) Regional Activities National Pilot Networks Activities
Principal messages • Planning in NARS is essential for strong ICM – comprising • vision • strategy • policy framework • operational plans • monitoring and evaluation • Objectives: • to address information needs/demands of (internal and external) stakeholders • to use/build ICM (human and technological) capacities effectively
Principal messages • Lack of ICM planning means: • outputs are not disseminated effectively • R&D resources are wasted • the NARS public image is poor due to lack of credibility • In the extreme, NARS institutions become obsolete ...
Strategy/Policy Institutional aspects Stakeholders People Content Infrastructure Financial aspects/Sustainability Major factors affecting agricultural information networks/systems
Egypt: National Agricultural Research Information Management System (NARIMS) Ghana: Ghana Agricultural Information Network System (GAINS) Kenya: Kenya Agricultural Information Network (KAINet) Madagascar: Scientific and Technical Information System Peru: Red Peruana de Intercambio de Información Agraria (AGRORED) Thailand: Thai AGRIS Centre National Case Studies
Major factors affecting agricultural information networks/systems