Arpita Sharma Ph.D. Research Scholar Dept. of Agricultural Communication G. B. Pant University of Ag.& Tech.

Pantnagar, Uttarakhand

Agriculture Knowledge Information System

Content What is Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems ? Knowledge Triangle AKIS for rural development Case study Models of AKIS Challenges for AKIS Conclusion

Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems

An AKIS is a system that links rural people and institutions to promote mutual learning and generate, share and utilize agriculture-related technology, knowledge and information. The system integrates farmers, agricultural educators, researchers and extensionists to harness knowledge and information from various sources for better farming and improved livelihoods.

Knowledge Triangle

Contd..
AKIS/RD systems that are financially, socially and technically sustainable; relevant and effective processes of knowledge and technology generation, sharing and uptake; AKIS/RD systems that are demand-driven through empowerment of farmers such that programmes and activities are responsive to their needs; the interface between and integration among the various education, research, extension and farming activities; and accountability to assure that stakeholders assume their respective responsibilities.

Concept and Practice of AKIS/RD

The AKIS/RD concept and practice hold significant promise for the advancement of agricultural and rural development and more generally, national economies. In order to realize the value and importance of the AKIS/RD concept, agricultural institutions need actively to promote linkages, technology transfer, knowledge sharing and the exchange of relevant information and such an impetus to the development of pluralistic innovation systems must be supported by adequate financial commitment. Fundamental to the development of an AKIS/RD is recognition of the role of a plethora of private sector actors (seed and input supply companies, produce buyers, chemical companies, radio and television, etc.) playing different roles within the system.

Contd
Rural people, especially farmers, are at the heart of the knowledge triangle. Education, research and extension are services - public or private - designed to respond to their needs for knowledge with which to improve their productivity, incomes and welfare and manage the natural resources on which they depend in a sustainable way. A shared responsiveness to rural people and an orientation towards their goals ensures synergies in the activities of agricultural educators, researchers and extensionists. Farmers and other rural people are partners within the knowledge system, not simply recipients.

Agriculture Knowledge Information System: An Emerging Approach for Sustainable Development

Saha and Mukhopadhyay (2007) reported that there is conceptual progression from looking at various institutions and practices such as farming system development, extension and research in isolation to considering the linkages between the pairs of these elements as an Agricultural Knowledge Information System. AKIS could involve providing farmers with a basket of opportunities and helping them to choose the right opportunity for their situation.

The AKIS/RD vision and principles

To set forth a shared vision for an integrated approach to agricultural education, research and extension that would respond to the technology, knowledge and information needs of millions of rural people, helping them to reach informed decisions on the better management of their farms, households and communities. To facilitate dialogue with decision-makers, in both government and development organizations, ensuring that proposals for investment in AKIS/RD are well founded and receive due consideration. To provide the staff of FAO and the World Bank, and their counterparts in client countries, with a common set of principles to guide their work in agricultural education, research and extension. To ensure synergies from complementary investments in education, research and extension, resulting in more effective and efficient systems.

An idealized AKIS/RD model

This model suggests the numerous elements in AKIS/RD. In fact, it could be made messier in that the policy, physical and human resources, communications and institutional elements should be connected to each of the four main sets of institutions - research, extension, education and support systems - which themselves should include both public and private sector entities.

A comprehensive AKIS/RD model

Extension contributors in the AKIS

Research and technology transfer links among private and public institutions

Factors in technology transfer

Challenges of AKIS
Most poor people depend on Agriculture Food needs call for steady growth in Agricultural Production Improving rural incomes and raising Agricultural production will often require Agricultural Intensification Agricultural intensification must be balanced with environmental sustainability

Contd--- Rural people also look to knowledge and information systems for guidance on how to bring about general improvements in their livelihoods For people living in this environment, Knowledge is key

Contd--- Many farmers fail to benefit from technological and other advances The AKIS/RD institutions have not been responsive enough in addressing the problems and opportunities facing farmers

New opportunities exist for raising AKIS/RD effectiveness

Advances in the Agricultural sciences are crucial but other advances are also needed 1) Communication and Information Technologies are advancing rapidly 2) New concepts are emerging for participation in learning and problem solving

CONCLUSION: FROM IDEA INTO ACTION

Government also needs to create the conditions necessary for developing AKIS/RD. Investment in market development and support to input providers, especially credit and supply institutions, are needed to stimulate the agricultural community, and attention to the rural physical infrastructure is needed to make the environment attractive and safe. Agricultural producers, especially women and poor farmers, require education and training to bring them into the modern world of labour-saving technologies and more productive practices. Joint planning between producers and institutional operators can provide the platform for advancing a demand-driven system of technological innovation for agricultural development. System leaders and managers need a better understanding of the dynamic nature of both national and international technology systems, and should be able to identify those areas where the public system has a comparative advantage over private sector R&D firms. The development of AKIS/RD is attractive to the private sector. Major roads that link towns will almost certainly have to be built, or at least funded, by government. The benefits from roads will be widely spread and accrue as much to the public as to the private sector regarding access to clientele, or potential clientele. In the short and especially - the long terms, private sector issues of distribution and dynamic efficiency promise to be enhanced as a result of government commitment to AKIS/RD.