This report was prepared at the request of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. It is intended to serve as a basic overview of the publicly available FAO information systems, with a particular emphasis on those relevant to organizations in the Asia-Pacific region and relevant to agricultural research.
Objectives
¿ Strengthen linkages and enhance exchange of germplasm, breeding material, information and technology.
¿ Facilitate collaborative research to address high-priority production constraints, with emphasis on poverty and equity issues.
¿ Assist in improving the research and extension capability of member countries through human resource development.
¿ Enhance coordination of regional research development and technology exchange involving sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut.
Contents: 1. Strategic Context 2. Strategy Development 3. ICT-KM Program: vision and goals 4. ICT-KM Program: thrusts and projects 5. Discussion
Networks in biosaline agriculture:
¿Support a culture of dialogue
¿Sustain linkages between institutions and individuals
¿Help understanding of information and communication needs of stakeholders
¿Encourage learning and involvement
Objectives
The workshop should be user-oriented or product-oriented with the following three specific objectives:
�� Analysis of information needs of different constituents of agriculture sector
�� Study of existing information dissemination channels used by both public and private organizations and current ICT initiatives for the agriculture sector
�� Conceptualization of a partnership of diverse players to promote ICT use in the agriculture sector
In the recent meeting of the AARINENA Executive Committee that took place in Kuwait on April 8, one of the main points in the agenda was a report and a discussion of the present status and the next steps in the development of a project proposal for the establishment of a Regional Agricultural R&D Information System (RAIS), through a collaborative effort of the agricultural research institutions of the region.
This paper is intended to propose an Agricultural Information Strategy for the West Asia and
North Africa Region (WANA).
The recommendation number 23.a of Cairo ICT consultation endorsed the ¿Proposal for regional agricultural information system for WANA Region¿, prepared by AARINENA, in April 2001, as a relevant regional framework for actions. Consequently the logical framework suggested in this proposal will be used as our general logical framework (see Annex 1).
The recommended programs by Cairo ICT consultation participants are actually part of the outputs indicated in the logical framework. These recommended programs are: