Regional agricultural information and learning systems (RAILS) of the Forum for agricultural research in Africa (FARA) Myra Wopereis Director: Access to Knowledge and Technologies On behalf of RAILS taskforce: Krishan Bheenick/Bentry Chaudra, Dady Demby, Jacqueline Nyagahima, (Dorothy Mukhebi), Francois Stepman

The forum for agricultural research in Africa (FARA) Mandated; To facilitate & coordinate ARD in Africa As technical adviser on ARD by the African Union/NEPAD As Lead Institution of the African framework on agriculture (CAADP) Pillar 4 (Research and Technology Dissemination) Expected results Appropriate institutional and organisational arrangements for regional agricultural research and development established Broad-based stakeholders have access to the knowledge and technology necessary for innovation Strategic decision making options for policy, institutions and markets developed Human and institutional capacity for innovation developed Platforms for agricultural innovation supported NASRO ASARECA CORAF/WECARD CARDESA The building blocks of FARA

Mandated;

To facilitate & coordinate ARD in Africa

As technical adviser on ARD by the African Union/NEPAD

As Lead Institution of the African framework on agriculture (CAADP) Pillar 4 (Research and Technology Dissemination)

Expected results

Appropriate institutional and organisational arrangements for regional agricultural research and development established

Broad-based stakeholders have access to the knowledge and technology necessary for innovation

Strategic decision making options for policy, institutions and markets developed

Human and institutional capacity for innovation developed

Platforms for agricultural innovation supported

Knowing the gaps in African agricultural information systems … We build on the strengths of SROs Institutional and organizational support Infrastructure Information processing Leadership / political support Challenges to “information” flows in agricultural research in Africa information overload, hoarding lack of culture on information use and sharing lack of easily available thematic information and /or its sources lack of diverse perspectives/dominance of particular voices barriers to access due to Time Skills – technical Resources ( financial , human , infrastructural) ASARECA - RAIN Established network of AICM specialists Initiated capacity bldg activities CORAF/WECARD Dynamic national partners Experience in use of information systems at subregional level SADC-FANR – AIMS/ICART Resources available to coordinate and build info system Rich database on thematic topics NASRO IT application in agriculture Strong ARD institutions

We build on the strengths of SROs

Institutional and organizational support

Infrastructure

Information processing

Leadership / political support

Challenges to “information” flows in agricultural research in Africa

information overload, hoarding

lack of culture on information use and sharing

lack of easily available thematic information and /or its sources

lack of diverse perspectives/dominance of particular voices

barriers to access due to

Time

Skills – technical

Resources ( financial , human , infrastructural)

How will RAILS contribute? 1. Advocacy for increased investments in agricultural information and learning systems by African governments and institutions 2. Improve the access and contribution by African ARD Stakeholders in the global knowledge exchange 3 . Facilitate agricultural information systems synergies and learning among international and national organizations 4. Build an African platform for agriculture information and learning systems National focal point National focal point National focal point National focal point FARA RAILS ASARECA: RAIN CORAF Northern Africa SADC-FANR SROs’ Agricultural Information System Regional and global knowledge through information exchange and learning

1. Advocacy for increased investments in agricultural information and learning systems by African governments and institutions

2. Improve the access and contribution by African ARD Stakeholders in the global knowledge exchange

3 . Facilitate agricultural information systems synergies and learning among international and national organizations

4. Build an African platform for agriculture information and learning systems

Building the African platform for ARD Farmers Scientists Policy makers Extensionists Private sector cross-border knowledge sharing Interventions at various levels

RAILS lessons learnt development and implementation of institutional ICM strategies and policies Understanding the partners Identify the range of target partners Variety in their needs and interventions in rural development through innovation Various pathways of information flow Part of identification is through consultation/participation, which may be a lengthy process Define strategies and policies that all users can relate to - ownership Ensure institutional support especially by decision makers and ministries Work together with information user and suppliers, and communicate through media familiar to all Focus on priorities of partners identified instead of a particular tool Multi-perspective approach , (geographically, commodity based or thematically focussed) Have a broad framework applicable to the context, culture & political environment Added value and contribution of each partner Coherence and sustainability at all levels

Understanding the partners

Identify the range of target partners

Variety in their needs and interventions in rural development through innovation

Various pathways of information flow

Part of identification is through consultation/participation, which may be a lengthy process

Define strategies and policies that all users can relate to - ownership

Ensure institutional support especially by decision makers and ministries

Work together with information user and suppliers, and communicate through media familiar to all

Focus on priorities of partners identified instead of a particular tool

Multi-perspective approach , (geographically, commodity based or thematically focussed)

Have a broad framework applicable to the context, culture & political environment

Added value and contribution of each partner

Coherence and sustainability at all levels

Thank you www.fara-africa.org