By JAMES LARAKI of NARI
Group photo of the workshop participants at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi |
LAST week experts from the Pacific region on
information and communication, agricultural extension, and information
management gathered in Nadi, Fiji, for a workshop on information and knowledge
management (IKM) for agricultural development.
The workshop ‘moving beyond strategy to
improve information and knowledge management for agricultural development in
the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)’ was to consider new
dimensions in IKM and how they could benefit the pacific region.
It was aimed at assisting the PICTs in
making efficient and effective use of information resources, as today’s
agricultural innovations are becoming increasingly market-linked and as such
will require new approaches and tools.
The forum also explored new technologies
and opportunities to disseminate timely, accurate and up-to-date information on
agricultural production, pest management and marketing to farmers and
communities, supplementing existing agricultural extension strategies and
networks.
The workshop was part of an effort by regional and international
organizations including Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United
Nations, Global Fund Agricultural Research (GFAR), Asia-Pacific Association of
Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), and the Technical Centre for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) to assist PICTs on effective IKM to
meet current and emerging challenges in agricultural development.
These organisations are focusing on the
need to implement effective IKM and information and communication (ICM)
strategies to address the challenges facing the agriculture sector.
It is part
of their efforts to assist PICTs to develop strategies relevant for the
development stage of member countries, depending on their respective needs and
constraints.
It enabled participants to put together ideas and
share their experiences on IKM of their respective organisations and countries
to devise the way forward collective for agricultural development.
Such forums are essential for us to discuss and
offer recommendations on how we can improve our IKM efforts to meet current and
emerging challenges to agricultural development through partnerships locally,
regionally and with the global community.
It was very timely, given the many
challenges that the agriculture sector faces, especially those concerning food
security and livelihoods, and impact of climate change induced stresses.
The workshop was a step towards promoting
greater involvement and participation of organisations and institutions in the
global movement with the coherence in information for agriculture research for
development (CIARD) and to promote openness in information and communication
management (ICM) models.
New knowledge based on innovative ideas and research
is crucial for agricultural and rural development.
But, we should also note that for these innovations to have any
impact at the community level, they need to be communicated effectively.
Many
efforts are being made on this front and the use of new tools and systems of
information and communication technology (ICT) are becoming essential in the development
process.
While ICT is a
useful tool, it is also a challenge in the pPcific region.
The small farm
sizes, scattered nature and remoteness of farms, infrastructure, adapting to
climate, and loss of biodiversity add further challenges.
International partners such as FAO,
GFAR, APAARI and CTA are also aware that inappropriate policies and weak
institutional capacity in the public and private sector is limiting the use of
ICT tools for effective dissemination of agricultural innovations to the
farming community.
Investment
of in information and communication is also overlooked in the pacific countries,
while ICT tools can facilitate delivery of information to rural communities.
With lack of investment and other constraints, information providers in the
region are having difficulty in understanding the needs of users and their
relevance, type of information required by different user groups, the format
required and appropriate ICT tool to use for maximum impact and desired
outcome.
It is
for these reasons that the workshop has tried to identify appropriate solutions
to these constraints.
We have to be a little more innovative and take steps to
mix traditional approaches with modern tools, doing what we can within our
means.
International partners are willing to work with us in promoting and
sharing experiences of other countries in the Asia-Pacific region on good
practices on agriculture supported by ICT tools.
Mobile
telephone has been a huge success in PNG since 2005 when new mobile phone
company, Digicel was officially launched to compete with state-owned bemobile.
This success is also benefiting the farming communities through the
mobile market information for fresh produce growers from Fresh Produce
Development Agency in partnership with Digicel, a pilot project supported by
AusAID.
This
and many other innovative initiatives using mobile phone technologies and other
emerging tools should be explored.
The workshop was in a way trying to
facilitate stronger partnership and share our experience with organisations
within the region and globally in the area of information and communication for
development.
We
hope that such forums will be a means for improved awareness on new dimensions
in IKM for agricultural research for development and strengthened information
sharing and networking.
The partnerships established regionally and international
will go a long way in improving IKM in the region and contribute effectively
towards agricultural development.
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