This brochure is on the Virtual Extension and Research Information and Communication Network (VERCON), a conceptual model that any country can use and adapt to improve access to agricultural information and knowledge sharing and to strengthen the linkages between rural institutions and individuals, using information and communication technologies.
Cette brochure présente le réseau virtuel de communication pour la vulgarisation et la recherche (VERCON), qui est un modèle conceptuel que tout pays peut utiliser et adapter pour améliorer l’accès à l’information agricole et le partage des connaissances, ainsi que pour renforcer les interactions entre les personnes et les institutions du monde rural. Pour cela, le réseau a recours aux technologies de l’information et de la communication.
Este folleto presenta la red virtual de comunicación sobre la extensión y la investigación (VERCON), que es un modelo conceptual que cualquier país puede utilizar y adaptar para mejorar el acceso a la información agropecuaria y el intercambio de conocimientos, así como para reforzar los vínculos entre las personas y las instituciones del mundo rural, utilizando las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación.
Agricultural research continues to be a good investment. The studies show that investments in international and national agricultural research account for almost all of the total factor productivity (TFP) growth in SSA and large shares of agricultural growth globally. The existing agricultural research institutions have, on average, delivered rates of return to public investment above 30-40%, which is much higher than the 5-10% available to other public investments or the 2-5% cost of borrowing public funds.
This paper examines the role of postsecondary agricultural education and training (AET) in sub-Saharan Africa in the context of the region’s agricultural innovation systems. Specifically, the paper looks at how AET in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute to agricultural development by strengthening innovative capacity, or the ability of individuals and organisations to introduce new products and processes that are socially or economically relevant, particularly with respect to smallholder farmers who represent the largest group of agricultural producers in the region.
Literature is scanty on how public agricultural investments can help reducing the impact of future challenges such as climate change and population pressure on national economies. The objective of this study is to assess the medium and long-term effects of alternative agricultural research and development investment scenarios on male and female employment in 14 African countries. The authors first estimate the effects of agricultural investment scenarios on the overall GDP growth of a given country using partial and general equilibrium models.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken by governments on social distancing and mobility restrictions have contributed to boosting the use of digital technology to bridge some of the physical access gaps. An increasing number of services and extension/information activities are delivered through digital tools and applications. E-commerce has also flourished. As a result, the potential of digital technologies has gained prominence in immediate response and recovery strategies and programmes.
Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) is a collection of institutions enabling agricultural and food system transformation in a country. Any attempt to engage in emergency interventions by institutions and bounce back with higher levels of resilience requires strong organizational and human capacity as a prerequisite. What role do these institutions play in emergencies such as COVID-19 and how can they bounce back after such a crisis is over? What can be done to help these institutions build resilience capacity for such recovery?
This presentation was realized for the GFAR workshop on "Adoption of ICT Enabled Information Systems for Agricultural Development and Rural Viability" (at IAALD-AFITA-WCCA World Congress, 2008). It presents lessons learned through linking research to extension, including examples from projects in Nigeria, Colombia, Uganda ,Costa Rica, Egypt and Bhutan.
Ce document fait le bilan du projet de recherche-action Agora dédié au renforcement de la gouvernance de services publics dans des communes du Bénin, du Burkina Faso et du Mali. Mené par Cités Unies France, le Gret, le Laboratoire Citoyennetés et plusieurs partenaires locaux de 2011 à 2014, Agora a couplé des phases de recherche, d’animation et d’apprentissage à la concertation entre les opérateurs, élus, agents de services techniques et usagers. Il se caractérise par la participation effective d’une équipe de chercheurs au dispositif de concertation.