Agricultural Information Networking in the Asia-Pacific Region: STATUS AND PROSPECTS*
Michael Riggs
Information Management Specialist, FAORAP
Michael.Riggs@fao.org
Alexander G. Flor
Dean, UPOU Faculty of Info and Communication Studies
aflor@upou.org
Abstract
In the agricultural sector, the most significant worldwide hub, electronically as well as institutionally, is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Geopolitically, it is linked to the ministries and departments of agriculture in all the regions and subregions. Institutionally, it is linked to both the International as well as national agricultural research systems as well as to the academe and the private sector. Electronically, mainly through WAICENT, FAO maintains over 250,000 Web pages with more than 40 million hits and 1.5 million users. FAO serves as: a clearing-house for information that establishes norms & methodologies for quality, develops standard categorization schemes, and implements metadata for efficient storage, dissemination, search and retrieval; an intergovernmental forum for members; an outreach provider for agricultural development, food security and capacity building through transfer of best practices in information management systems and tools development to national and international agencies. Although is seems logical to say that FAO is an agricultural organization, it is in fact a knowledge organization staffed to the core by knowledge workers.
This paper discussed recent developments and accomplishments of the organization in the area of agricultural information networking. Among these are: FAO's Bridging the Rural Digital Divide Framework; the AGRIS Network in Asia-Pacific; the Thai AGRVOC Project; PhilAgriNet; and IMARK. It then identified best practices and lessons derived from country/project experiences such as: Rural Information and Communication Systems in Asia-Pacific; the Special Programme for Food Security in Asia; the Mountain Agricultural System Information File; and the SEAFAR Knowledge Network.
The paper enumerated factors to consider in improving agricultural information networking. These are: connectivity and technology; content; capacity building; collaboration; and funding/ sustainability. Finally, the paper discussed the fitness horizon of agricultural information networking.
Full paper available in PDF format
*Seminar on Information Networking for Enhancing Agricultural Productivity and Competitiveness Asian Productivity Organization, Manila, July 2004