This document discusses improving access to agricultural research outputs and technical documentation. It notes that currently many organizations invest little in communicating their research results and making publications accessible online. The CIARD initiative aims to address this by promoting open access policies, developing institutional capacities, and making data accessible through common standards and an online global registry of information services. The G20 and other international groups are supporting improved access to scholarly publications and documentation through various open access policies. CIARD provides a framework and tools to help organizations globally share information and take forward the goal of increased access to agricultural research outputs.

1. GRCP 1: Access to Scholarly Publications
and Other Technical Documentation
Using information to power innovation
presented by Andrea Sonnino, FAO
G20 Meeting Agricultural Chief Scientists, Mexico, September 2012

2. Knowledge Sharing in Agricultural Innovation
Innovation is knowledge-intensive and requires greater
information sharing/exchange
Access to research outputs is essential to address
problems
Effective access enhances information use, and
enhances innovation within and among communities
Greater use of information will accelerate rural
development

3. Communicating Agricultural Research
Low investment in research communication
- Many agricultural research organizations invest only a
small fraction on communicating their results and
ensuring they are adapted to rural needs.
- Most organizations make <10% of their
publications/documents accessible on the Internet.
Often ‘public’ information is like this
We produce results, but what happens to them?
It seems that much useful data and information never
get published and the farmers don’t seem to benefit

4. Agricultural Research Outputs
Photo Credit:
natura-medioambiental.com
“Information and data power innovation,
restricted access represents a barrier to innovation.”

5. Communicating Agricultural Research
FINDINGS OF CIARD GLOBAL SURVEY 2011
s

6. WHAT IS NEEDED
An integrated two-pronged approach of good
policy and practice
Capacity development – a cornerstone
A collective effort - adopt proven practices and
tools
A coordinated approach will reduce costs and guide,
train and motivate staff in research organizations

7. PRIORITIES AREAS IDENTIFIED
To improve investment through introduction
of sound policies and coordinated approaches
To develop institutional capacity through
encouraging self-sufficiency and
empowerment;
To make data and information accessible by
promoting open content and common
standards

8. G20 Action
The G20 members and the international community are leading
the way in policy support for opening access of scholarly
publications and documentation. Some examples are:
• USA: “COMPETES” Act (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully
Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science)
• India: National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy-2012
• European Commission: commitment to Open Access from the
Horizon 2020 programme (2014-20)
• UK: announcement that all publicly funded
scientific research will be openly accessible by 2014, and
Research Councils’ and Funding Councils’ new open access
policies.
• CGIAR Consortium: “Principles on the Management of
Intellectual Assets”

9. THINK GLOBAL – ACT LOCAL
A Global Movement
Coherence in Information
for Agricultural Research
for Development

10. A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
15 Founding Partners
and +150 other organizations participating
working to ensure that information become more accessible to those who need them
CIARD was endorsed at GCARD 2010

11. support for overcoming the
Challenges in Research Communication
Our institution
has no policy on We don’t have time to
communicating adapt our results into the
its outputs what extensionists want
We have no systems
Other scientists will
and tools for Internet
publish our results if we
dissemination
share them
There are no staff
with the skills in
digital technologies
www.ciard.net

12. A framework for info./data sharing
Championing change in policy and practice
CIARD Advocacy Toolkit
Collection of evidence, benefits and good practices (i.e.
CIARD Checklist)
Institutions/organizations:
Guidelines (CIARD Pathways)
E-learning programmes
Information Technologies: Open information standards ,tools
and services
The MACS can build on these achievements

13. Routemap to Information
Nodes and Gateways
A Global Registry to share information related to
agricultural research and innovation
345 open information services in agriculture
164 information providers have registered their services
- 123 document repositories with over 4 million accessions
- 822,000 full text documents
- 222 other services registered
The CIARD Ring provides a platform for the next
generation of literature discovery/access services

14. THE WAY FORWARD
National organizations:
- implement policies and practices on opening access to and
enhancing use of agricultural research information
- create/strengthen research communication activities
- register their open services in the CIARD.RING
Regional and International organizations:
- achieve even stronger consensus and support for CIARD
- develop regional partnerships and networks to leverage
resources and capacities in support of opening access
Donors providing research funds:
- Support grantees in communicating their findings effectively

15. MACS GRCP 1 and CIARD
The CIARD movement and partnership can
immediately be leveraged to take forward GRCP 1
G20 members have the policies, resources, skills
and tools to share their own information and help
others to do so
A collective effort with the G20 and the
international and regional partners will achieve
results globally and locally

16. GRCP 1: Access to Scholarly Publications
and Other Technical Documentation
Using information to power innovation
G20 Meeting Agricultural Chief Scientists, Mexico, September 2012 www.ciard.net