1. Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge
Network for Strengthening Regional
Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing
Khadiga Eissa Ebead Abdalla •
(Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC
Biotechnology and Biosafety Research Center •
((BBRC
2. Biotechnology and Biosafety Research Center
((BBRC
• The Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC),
established in 1902, is mandated to conduct applied
and related basic research for agricultural
development in Sudan. The ARC has evolved from
small research unit at the ministry of Agriculture..
• Sudan is one of the developing countries with limited
resources to meet the huge investment to maintain
and run biotechnology research. Nevertheless, a
number of research institutes have initiated efforts to
establish biotechnology laboratories to support
agriculture research.
3. • ARC is the leading institute in Agricultural
Biotechnology in Sudan. A tissue culture lab
was established in 1992 for research on mass
propagation of planting materials, in vitro
mutation and production of doubled haploids.
A biotechnology lab was established recently in
2002 which is well equipped for various
molecular marker applications in diagnostic,
genetic diversity and marker assisted breeding.
4. ICTs
Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs), make agricultural research and
development processes more inclusive,
enhancing communication among all agriculture
stakeholders Improved capabilities to create and
store data and information; gaining rapid access
to it. Increased possibilities for public and
community to be data collectors; Farmers and
producers can contribute data directly Science
can linked to a global library.
5. • Innovative ways of combining modern
technologies, such as agricultural information
systems, with traditional technologies, such as
radio broadcasting, should be considered
when evaluating ICT development options.
6. ICT Infrastructure and Capacity
The ARC functions through a network of 22 Research
Stations, nine Research Centers and three Central
Laboratories. Each center or station is managed by a
director while a laboratory is managed by a head.
the basic ICT infrastructure and support systems including
hardware, software, computer systems, networking,
wireless, Internet access, mailing systems, servers,
videoconferencing equipment, broadband internet
connectivity, satellite and mobile LAN facility equipped with
software operating systems and office automation software
etc., are the building blocks that constitutes ICT
infrastructure in an organization. However, the advanced
facilities like database management systems, and use of
internet are only available with most internet and e-mail
operation, whereas the skill sets in the areas of
programming, database management, network
administration, data analysis etc., are emerging in many
developing ARC.
7.
8. The Network of the ARC
Internet Architectures and Network Technologies
Converged and Optical Networks
l
Cellular
and beyond
Ad-Hoc
Mesh
Relay
Broadcast
Application
Server
Operator A
Gateway
Operator B
Public Internet
Object and
Sensor
Networks
Optical Switching
Optical Transmission
Personal
Space
Application
Server
High Speed
Broadband
Access
l
Spectrum-Efficient Radio Access
9. Local Area Networks (LAN) are almost
established in the ARC whereas only the
developed ARC could use intranet services.
Networking facilities such as Wide Area Network
(WAN),Private Networks broadband connectivity
exists in developed ARC and some of the
developing network communication systems like
mobile satellite for agricultural research and
extension purpose is limited.
10. • Database Application Software Tools: such
as Microsoft Windows server NT, 2000, XP;
UNIX based operating systems, MS Office
Windows, commercial applications which are
now become standards for greater integration
and coherence in data sharing and
information exchange.
• Human capacity is vital for efficient use and
management of ICT/ICM in ARC.
11. • Capacities of information and communication
managers, who generate, process, organize
and disseminate information with the help of
ICT tools and technologies need to have basic
computing skills in addition to expertise in the
agricultural subject domain.
• This lead to improving capacities of ICT cadre
in agricultural organizations in the region
12. Information Systems
• An information system is defined as
combination of information technology and
people’s activities using that technology to
support operations, management information
system is used to refer to not only to the ICT
an organization uses, but also to the way they
share and exchange information with the
stakeholders and interact with them in ARC
environment.
13.
14. • organization shares information and interacts
with its clients in a dynamic way with the help
of information systems that are built around
new ICT tools and technologies. These
included :
website of ministry : www.sudagric.gov.sd
Website of ARC : www.arcsudan.sd
Email: arcdg@sudanmail.net
15. Policies and Strategies
ICT policy generally covers three main areas:
telecommunications (especially telephone
communications), broadcasting (radio and TV) and the
Internet. Policies are at national, regional or
international levels and some influence each other
hierarchically for example international policies in
telephone and Internet based telecommunications.
Although policies are formally put in place by
International, regional and national governments,
different stakeholders and in particular the private
sector make inputs into the policy process and affect
their out-comes.
16. Contents
• Agricultural content refers to every possible
data, information and knowledge that is useful
and applicable to all type of stakeholders in the
agricultural research and innovation system. It
includes
1.Science and Technical Information
is generally available as structured documents in
the form of traditional printed material (e.g.:
books, journals, abstracts, index etc.) or in
electronic format (CD-ROMs, DVDs, External
Drives, Internet based electronic journals) made
available through repositories, digital libraries
etc. that are shared via
computer/telecommunication based networks.
17.
18. 2. Research Data and Information
are usually made available in the form of raw
data, organized, structured databases and
analytical and dynamic information in the
formats suitable for the users who are
generally scientists, policy-makers,
development workers etc., engaged in
research activities.
19. 3. Research Management Information
The management and governance of agricultural
research depend on high quality information on
projects, project locations, experts, funding sources
and research priorities and this information is very
crucial for institutional change process, project
monitoring and evaluation and management of
outputs etc. This information is meant for directing
and monitoring the need-based research, planning
and prioritization of investment, capacity, thematic
focus as also collaboration and partnerships and in
general improving the efficacy of ARC Systems at the
national and, in case of collaboration, at the
International level.
20. 4. Information for learning in agricultural
communities such as for extension and
education and
5. Market related information which informs
producers how to participate effectively in
markets.
21. ICT/ICM Applications
ICT/ICM applications in agricultural research and
innovation systems include agricultural policy,
resource management, marketing, extension,
marketing, education, library services, applications
for research data analysis using statistical
approaches, models, GIS and knowledge based
system, applications for research management
tools, applications that enable provision of
information to farmers and extensionists about
good practices, crop varieties, and pest or disease
management, education, organizational
management marketing, and disaster risk
reduction to help countries increase production.
which are community to employ knowledge-based
agriculture and benefit from it.
22.
23. • The field has since evolved to encompass
other key areas, such as the analysis and
interpretation of various types of biological
data, including genome sequencing, a wheat
cultivar became the first commercially
important plant to have its genome fully
mapped.
24. • There is considerable potential for genetic
engineering to contribute to improved yields
and reduced risks in developing countries,
provided that it focuses on the needs of poor
farmers and consumers in those countries.
• In short, ICT has a central role to play in
modern agriculture and the maintenance of
agricultural sustainability and food security.
25. Information and Communication Channels
• Information and communication channel refers to
medium through which a message is transmitted to
its intended audience, such as print media or
broadcast (electronic) media. With the advances in
telecommunications and computer technologies, the
powers of sharing data/information/knowledge have
transformed the way institutions and individuals
interact and share information.
