Enhancing Access and Exchange of Agricultural Information in Kenya: the case of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)

Enhancing Access and Exchange of Agricultural Information in Kenya: the case

of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)

Rachel Rege, Patrick Maina, Richard Kedemi & Peninnah Mwangi

2nd Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) Africa Chapter,

M-Plaza Hotel15 – 17 July 2009

Presentation OutlineBackground

Kenya, KARI, KAINetEnhancing access and exchange

agricultural information in KenyaAchievement and progressLessons learned

Conclusion and recommendations

Background - KenyaAgriculture is the mainstay of Kenyan economy:

Sector contributes 26% of the GDP directly, 27% through linkages to agro-based industries

Employs 80% of the total labour forceGenerates 60% of foreign exchange.Provides 75% of the raw industrial materials and

controls 40% of government earningsFeeds a population of 40mDemand for appropriate agricultural information is

daunting!!

Background – Kenya…..Agriculture sector has twelve line ministriesThe sector has more than 100 research,

extension and intermediary institutions (diverse information generators and users)

A lot of agricultural information is generatedThere is demand for appropriate agricultural

informationPublic science and technology information is not

easily or widely accessible

Background - KARIWas established in 1978 through a

parliament Act.Preceding KARI was the research dept in

Ministry of AgricultureAlthough agricultural research began in

the country in 1909, in the colonial East Africa Territory it began before 1900.

Background – KARI…..The main agricultural research institute with

42 centres throughout the country, with research mandates on:Livestock health and production,Range management,Food crops,Horticulture and industrial crops,Land and water managementAdaptive research and socioeconomics

Background – KARI…..The institute generates agricultural

information in all the thematic areasInformation generated is not easily

accessibleThe centres are dispersed throughout the

country, lacks connectivity between all centres

Background – KARI….. Given its mandate, capacity and

position in Kenya, KARI collaborates with several partners.

It is the national and regional focal point for most agricultural activities FARA and ASARECA regional initiatives; CGIAR, EU, AGRA, USAID…..

It was through this collaborative framework that KARI partnered with ASARECA, FAO, DFID, CABI and national partners (KEFRI, MoA and JKUAT) to implement KAINet to facilitate information access and exchange within Kenya.

Background - KAINetA national networkFocusing on:

Formulation of policy and strategy frameworks: guides operations

Content development (std, AGRIS tools and processes) for coherence

Capacity building (HR, physical, financial)Technical platform developmentAdvocacy and awareness creationsPartnerships

Background – KAINet…..KAINet embraces: TeamworkCommitment and

sacrificePositive competitionTechnology

applicationResilience

Enhancing access and exchangeKARI coordinates KAINet and has

adopted the principles to strengthen its network of 42 centres

Draft ICM strategy: KARI management has endorsed its implementation

Institutional repository established within two centres (KARI HQ and KARI-NARL) content available online for access

Enhancing access and exchange…..Capacities built for the ICT teams (10

staff): high staff moraleAdvocacy and awareness creation

ongoingPartnership strengthened between centres

and partner institutions (<13,000 records available on KAINet)

Lessons learned Recognition of existing capacities and structures in the

agriculture sector for goodwill and endorsement Recognition of diversity Partnership building critical between partners –

determines commitment, trust and level of involvement Value of institutional/centre alliances for comparative

advantage, resources sharing and sustainability Application of ICT for enhance management, sharing

and exchange AI

RecommendationsNeeds assessments: clarity of needs and

challengesNeed for ICM Strategies for increased

availability and access to agricultural information for economic development

Committed approach to content managementApplication of ICT in AIMNetwork principles adoption: (research,

academia, ministries: national node)Partnership formation and management

Conclusion“Information is one of the world’s most important resources, it exists in every organisational enterprise throughout the world. The degree of success by organisations and the people who work for them depend on how well information resources are managed.”

Acknowledgement

MoAKARIKEFRIJKUAT

ASARECACABIFAODFID-UK