Knowledge for Development

ICKM / MIS / ICT

Management information system (MIS)

Timely quality information is critical for sound decision making and knowledge development. Information is now being generated at a rapid pace and access and availability are multi-dimensional. Collation and coordination of the multiple data and information sources and integration into a management information system will enhance the flow of information within an organization, country or region. This dossier has been prepared to raise awareness of ACP countries of the need to develop systems for the systematic acquisition, analysis and archiving of data and information from a variety of sources. An integrated management information system (MIS) is a powerful tool for planning and decision-making. Successful management information systems in many regions which can serve as models for ACP countries.

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Information, Communication and Knowledge Management (ICKM) strategies

Information and communication management (ICM) and knowledge management (KM) are often characterised as having three components: people, processes and technology. However, the rapid development of information and communications technologies (ICTs) has sometimes resulted in ICM being seen as a largely technological issue. In reality it is the people component of ICM and KM supported by processes and technology that is the most important. In the articles and documents publsihed on this website we have discussed the concept of Innovation systems as networks of interlinked actors, wherein the effective communication of information and exchange of knowledge among the different actors is critical to the performance of the system. In the agricultural science, technology and innovation system, successful organisations and related agro-enterprises and industries are increasingly those that recognize the importance of knowledge, and implement policies and strategies to promote its creation, sharing and application. This dossier highlights the issue of information and knowledge sharing and points our readers to available resources and tools to assist in the development of capacity to harness knowledge for agricultural development in ACP countries.

The dossier ICT for ARD has a section on its own. See listing below to access that particular dossier.

By: Scheldeman, Xavier and van Zonneveld, Maarten. Bioversity International. 2010.This training manual is intended for scientists and students who work with biodiversity data and are interested in developing skills to effectively carry out spatial analysis based on (free) GIS applications with a focus on diversity and ecological analyses. These analyses offer a better understanding of spatial patterns of plant diversity and distribution, helping to improve conservation efforts. The training manual focuses on plants of interest for improving livelihoods (e.g. crops, trees and crop wild relatives) and/or those which are endangered.Spatial analyses of interspecific and intraspecific diversity are explained using different types of data: species presence morphological characterization data molecular data. Although this training focuses on plant diversity, many of the types of analyses described can also be applied for other organisms such as animals and fungi.http://www.bioversityinternational.org/training/training_materials/gis_manual.html 03/05/2011
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Information management issues related to the systems and services within the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) of India are discussed. The vastness of the Indian NARS and existing agricultural information needs are described. Connectivity issues within the NARS are examined. The Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS) as it exists today under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with the current level of information exchange that takes place through the ARIS network, is described. The emerging needs of the Project Information Management System (PIMS) are explored along with the current projects on PIMS and the Integrated National Agricultural Resources Information System (INARIS), a data warehouse project under the National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP). The achievements with respect to PIMS are presented and an action plan for further developments is outlined. The data warehouse tools and action plan for the INARIS project are also elaborated. From author's summary. 18/10/2006
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Information and Communication Management Strategies for Bridging Gaps in ST&I Systems

by Roger Day, Director CABI Africa Regional Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
Innovation systems are networks of interlinked actors, and the effective communication of information and exchange of knowledge among the different actors is critical to the function of the system. Innovation is the application of knowledge (whether new or old), and an environment that encourages effective information and communication management (ICM) contributes directly to innovation, and to social and economic development. In a globalised world, successful organisations, sectors or nations are increasingly those that recognise the importance of knowledge, and implement policies and strategies to promote its creation, sharing and application. 'Knowledge is power, which is why people who had it in the past often tried to make a secret of it. In post-capitalism, power comes from transmitting information to make it productive, not from hiding it!' 18/10/2006
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ICM Strategies for Bridging the Gaps in the Science Technology and Innovation Systems

by Rachel Rege, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
The accumulation of scientific knowledge and its technological applications are accelerating at a rapid pace, enabled in large part by ever more powerful computers and lightning fast communication. Yet the global reality is that many innovations fail to accrue to those who need them most, and benefits are not shared equitably, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Decentralization of public administration and privatization of public operations through the structural adjustment by the World Bank have further implications on Science and Technology. A new approach to science and technology (S&T) is necessary to support a paradigm shift from product economy to knowledge based development. The recent World Trade Agreements have led to the changing roles of the three main actors (public, private and civil society). At the same time, the urgent demand for technological innovations for development challenges are continuously increasing. 18/10/2006
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