PS calls for increased exchange of knowledge in agriculture

PS calls for increased exchange of knowledge in agriculture
By Nicholas Mwale
Mon 01 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT

AGRICULTURE and cooperatives permanent secretary Abedanigo Banda has called for increased exchange of knowledge among agricultural researchers, extension officers and farmers if agriculture is to develop.

And Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative to Zambia - Norreddin Mona said agricultural research and innovation depends on scientific and technical information.

Launching the Zambia Agriculture Research for Development Information Network Project (ZAR4DIN) last Wednesday, Banda said despite many institutions being involved in agricultural research, the country had no coordinated system or network in place to facilitate the storage and access to agricultural research output.

The project's aim is to develop a national network of institutions and individuals involved in agricultural research for development in terms of information generation, management, dissemination and exchange in order to facilitate access to research information and knowledge.

“Information and knowledge generated by the agriculture research for development activities in Zambia are mostly contained in unpublished reports found on shelves in various institutions thereby making information not readily accessible to many interested stakeholders,” Banda observed.

He said there was need to promote agriculture research as it was key to improving food security, reducing poverty and sustainable broad-based economic development especially in developing countries such a Zambia.

Banda however said knowledge was the major by-product of agriculture research and that information generated from research was an important stimulant for accelerating agricultural development in any country.

“Efficient provision of access to relevant and timely agricultural research information and knowledge to research scientific contributes to quality research,” he said.

“In so doing, a country is able to select appropriate technologies, which if applied well can improve productivity and thus contribute to the overall growth of the sector.”

Banda said the project would make information accessible and contribute to the implementation of some strategies outlined in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) policy document.

“The problem of lack of capacity, both human and institution, in agricultural research information delivery will also be addressed,” observed Banda.

Meanwhile, Dr Mona said agricultural research should lead to the development of new varieties, new farming methods and innovative ways for sustainable management of natural resources, which would lead to the attainment of food security.

He said the project, through various activities, should develop institutional and individual capacities of pilot institutions to enable them take advantage of the potential and opportunities provided by modern information and communication technologies and several global initiatives for opening up access to agricultural research information and technologies generated in the country.