Using information to power innovation. The document discusses a framework for information and data sharing presented at the Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development. It summarizes that [1] innovation requires greater information sharing and access to research outputs, [2] current barriers include low investment in research communication and restricted access to information, and [3] an integrated approach is needed involving policies, capacity development, and collective efforts to make data more accessible and accelerate rural development.

1. Using information to power innovation
Framework for Information and Data Sharing
presented by Krishan Bheenick
Senior Programme Coordinator, Knowledge Management, CTA (EU-ACP)
Second Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development
(GCARD2). Uruguay, October 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. Agricultural Research Outputs
Photo Credit:
natura-medioambiental.com
“Information and data power innovation,
restricted access represents a barrier to innovation.”

4. 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
- Information made accessible through journals - ‘paid access’
Often „public‟ information is like this
We produce results, but what happens to them?
It seems that much useful data and information
is not accessible and the farmers don’t seem to
benefit

5. Communicating Agricultural Research
FINDINGS OF 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 to make the results of research more
accessible and usable

7. COHERENCE IN PARTNERSHIP & ACTION
Coherence in Information for Agricultural
Research for Development
A Global Movement

8. A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
15 Founding Partners
And now +375 other organizations
All working to ensure that information become more
accessible to those who need them
CIARD was endorsed at GCARD 2010

9. A CONSULTATIVE PROCESS
2008 onwards: Meetings/events for partners, electronic
discussions, development of CIARD products & initiatives
Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy !
Shared, distributed coordination – subsidiarity
2009: CIARD consultation in Africa at FARA – “…CIARD gives us a
global framework for what we have been trying to do at individual
and institutional level; now I feel empowered to tell my Director …”
2011: A CIARD global consultation process on “Developing a
framework for data and information sharing”

10. PRIORITY 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

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

12. Routemap to Information
Nodes and Gateways
A Global Registry to share information related to agricultural
research and innovation
600 open information services in agriculture
374 information providers have registered their services
- 350 document repositories with around 6 million accessions
- 900,000 full text documents
- 250 other services registered
CIARD Ring provides a platform for the next generation of information
discovery/access services from CIARD participating organisations

13. Global consultation in 2011
“Developing a Framework for Data and information sharing”
Developed through e-consultation and workshop (Beijing)
CIARD core documents: Technical Issues Paper
– Technical issues and technologies
– Institutional and organizational aspects
– Championing change in policy and practice
– Strengthening the CIARD community and its role
8 Action Areas identified
THINK GLOBAL – ACT LOCAL

14. Technical issues and technologies
Explicit demand for advice:
– When and how to use open or proprietary data
formats?
– Whether to use Content Management Systems?
– How to describe specific types of information?
– When to use a traditional library system, an open-
archive repository or a tailor-made application?
– How to use multimedia social reporting for effective
information sharing?
Expectation: CIARD should not promote a uniform approach
among all organizations, but should be able to detail options
and provide guidance when needed

15. Technical issues and technologies
Action Area 1 - Services, Tools and Infrastructure
• Establishment of a community Wiki on information
management tools and their evaluation
• Contributions to the CIARD RING fostered to extend coverage
• Guidance on new tools and technology (e.g. Cloud)
Action Area 2 - Standards and Systems Architecture
• Collaborative Development of open standards
• Advice on meta-data generation
• Data and document formats
• Automatic tagging or indexing services

16. Institutional aspects
Action Area 3 - Policies, Strategies and Institutional Structures
• Promotion of CIARD Manifesto
• Support to national initiatives on policies on access to public
goods
• Support national initiatives on incentives and benefits of access
• Embedding of policies in organizational systems and processes
Action Area 4 - Development of Skills and Competencies
• Assessment of training needs
• Use of existing platforms (physical and virtual)
• Links and coordination from local to global level

17. Institutional aspects
Action Area 5 - Appropriate Organizational Structures and Work
Practices
• Investment in appropriate hardware and software
• Improvements in practices for data and information sharing
within organizations
• Development and adoption of norms, standards, rules and
regulatory mechanisms within organizations
Action Area 6 - Global Improvement of Data and Information
Flows
• Adoption of Framework at institutional, national, regional levels
• Approach is flexible and adaptable to the level of the institution

18. Championing change in
policy and practice
Action Area 7 - Advocacy and Evidence
• Convince Policy makers and research managers, information
specialists, users and generators of ARD information
• Document initiatives and cost benefit analysis, and impact in
case studies
• Develop and implement an advocacy programme, using
champions [see recently launched Advocacy Toolkit]
• CIARD partners lead by example

19. Strengthening the CIARD
Community and its role
Action Area 8 - Partnerships and Information Managers
• CIARD as a multi-dimensional learning initiative
• Sharing and discussing experiences and ideas among the CIARD
partners: from technologies and policies to case studies and
success stories
• Establish a virtual platform for the community to promote peer
learning

20. Resources to support action
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; CIARD RING
Strengthening the CIARD Community: Physical and electronic
interactions
We can build further on these achievements

21. 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

22. Using information to power innovation
Framework for Information and Data Sharing
GCARD2, Uruguay, October 2012 www.ciard.net