Kenya Agricultural Information Network (KAINet) Rachel Rege IAALD-AFITA-WCCA World Conference IAALD Africa Session on Investing in Agricultural Science and Technology in A frica 27 th August 2008

Presentation Outline KAINet Project Profile Project Objectives Implementation Process Achievements Conclusion Acknowledgement

KAINet Project Profile

Project Objectives

Implementation Process

Achievements

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

KAINet Project Profile Three year project borne out of the challenges identified through international, regional and national consultations – Need for national digital repository Piloted at 5 National Agricultural Research System Institutions: MoA, KARI Hq, KARI NARL, KEFRI, JKUAT Collaborative project with FAO, ASARECA-RAIN/RAILS, CAB International and national pilot institutions

Three year project borne out of the challenges identified through international, regional and national consultations – Need for national digital repository

Piloted at 5 National Agricultural Research System Institutions:

MoA, KARI Hq, KARI NARL, KEFRI, JKUAT

Collaborative project with FAO, ASARECA-RAIN/RAILS, CAB International and national pilot institutions

Project Objectives To facilitate the development of institutional policies and strategies on Information and Communication Management (ICM) in agricultural sciences and technology in Kenya To develop a framework for a national network, including selected resource centres and mechanism for fostering institutional collaboration To strengthen human capacities in the key centres To document the process and develop a case study for the development of a national AGRIS Network.

To facilitate the development of institutional policies and strategies on Information and Communication Management (ICM) in agricultural sciences and technology in Kenya

To develop a framework for a national network, including selected resource centres and mechanism for fostering institutional collaboration

To strengthen human capacities in the key centres

To document the process and develop a case study for the development of a national AGRIS Network.

Implementation Process Phased approach: I – Activities focused on: Consensus building and planning National and sectoral ICM policy and strategies reviews Institutional Needs Assessment, training workshop Project monitoring and evaluation II – Activities focused on: Capacity building – infrastructure, content and human resource Initial systems development – institutional e-repository ICM policy and strategies – KAINet and institutions III – Activities focused on: Completion of pending activities Awareness creation of KAINet Scaling–up of KAINet activities (nation-wide) Case study documentation IV – Conclusion of pilot activities and preparation for national project role-out

Phased approach: I – Activities focused on:

Consensus building and planning

National and sectoral ICM policy and strategies reviews

Institutional Needs Assessment, training workshop

Project monitoring and evaluation

II – Activities focused on:

Capacity building – infrastructure, content and human resource

Initial systems development – institutional e-repository

ICM policy and strategies – KAINet and institutions

III – Activities focused on:

Completion of pending activities

Awareness creation of KAINet

Scaling–up of KAINet activities (nation-wide)

Case study documentation

IV – Conclusion of pilot activities and preparation for national project role-out

Project Achievements Project support and ownership attained Guiding ICM/T policies and strategies reviewed and gaps identified 5 draft ICM/T strategies for pilot institutional developed Capacities on content, infrastructure, HR strengthened

Project support and ownership attained

Guiding ICM/T policies and strategies reviewed and gaps identified

5 draft ICM/T strategies for pilot institutional developed

Capacities on content, infrastructure, HR strengthened

…… Achievements Knowledge sharing framework developed National KAINet framework developed PM&E systems established Partnership and team approach enhanced Common tools (standards, methodologies and approaches) applied to support information exchange and sharing

Knowledge sharing framework developed

National KAINet framework developed

PM&E systems established

Partnership and team approach enhanced

Common tools (standards, methodologies and approaches) applied to support information exchange and sharing

Conclusion KAINet project has great potential to improve access to agricultural information and knowledge in Kenya, ECA and Africa. Institutional, national and regional groups own, nurture and sustain information and knowledge as a critical resource. “ The most important assets of nations are not raw materials, physical goods or economic production but human resources keyed in to the information and knowledge revolution (Right, 2000).”

KAINet project has great potential to improve access to agricultural information and knowledge in Kenya, ECA and Africa.

Institutional, national and regional groups own, nurture and sustain information and knowledge as a critical resource.

“ The most important assets of nations are not raw materials, physical goods or economic production but human resources keyed in to the information and knowledge revolution (Right, 2000).”

Acknowledgements DFID for financial support FAO for technical support including finances, tools and methodologies ASARECA-RAIN for initiating and supporting the basis upon which KAINet was born CABI for technical input and collaboration Pilot institutions for their contribution, participation and commitment to the project KARI Director for support and guidance

DFID for financial support

FAO for technical support including finances, tools and methodologies

ASARECA-RAIN for initiating and supporting the basis upon which KAINet was born

CABI for technical input and collaboration

Pilot institutions for their contribution, participation and commitment to the project

KARI Director for support and guidance

Thank You for Listening