near east rural & agricultural knowledge and information network - nerakin food and agriculture...

Near East Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network - NERAKIN

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Near East and North Africa

Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN)

Magdi LatifKnowledge Exchange and Capacity Building Division



NERAKIN is a platform for knowledge sharing

and collaboration for Rural and Agricultural

Development for target groups and

stakeholders on a regional level in NENA.

NERAKIN: Definition



To enhance rural and agricultural development in Near East

and North Africa through strengthening information and

knowledge access and exchange, providing mechanisms to:

• strengthen, coordinate, and add value to national and

regional agricultural initiatives

• improve performance of farmers and agrarian

businesses.

NERAKIN: Development Objective



To strengthen the capacity of the Ministries of Agriculture

and agricultural and rural research institutions for effective

information management and knowledge exchange in

support of rural and agricultural development in the region

NERAKIN : Immediate Objective

[The regional initiative will add value in a coherent way to national

system/networks, not substitute them.]



1- A pilot NERAKIN Regional System for content management and information exchange (May – October)

2- Identification of technical institutions committed to

capacity building in IKM

3- Selected national technical staff sensitized on how to use NERAKIN Regional System

4- Pilot national knowledge and information management systems/networks (i.e. Egypt, Jordan, Oman, etc.)

NERAKIN Phase I Outputs: 2007



NERAKIN Interfaces

Front end Interface( Regional or National)The front end components provide the information retrieval/browsing functionalities, and are available to any site user.

Back end InterfaceThe backend components provide the data management functionalities that enable system administrators to input/update/delete data items into the NERAKIN database.



October 2007 Front end Interface



October 2007 Back end Interface



NERAKIN CAPABILITIES

• Meeting the International Data Exchange Requirements

for Information Standards and Tools for Content Management (AGMES – Agricultural Metadata Element Set, AGRIS/ Organization/ Experts/ Projects Application Profile, A/E AGROVOC thesaurus, Software – MySQL Open Source, and Open Archives).

• Open System Architecture

The system is fully dynamic, built and developed under object oriented concepts using the latest technology and modern object oriented language

• Portability

It is capable to be deployed easily in other machines and portable devices



• User Friendly

It has a friendly interface and it easy to use and simple to configure.

• Dynamic Workflow Back end Interfaces

The system has a dynamic workflow in the advanced Content Management

System (CMS).

• Centralized and Distributed System

The NERAKIN architecture on the one hand will enable all participating

institutions to upload their materials in a centralized system, and on the other

hand will allow for the development of distributed systems at institutional

levels.

NERAKIN CAPABILITIES



• A collaborative system and effective communication,

• Exchange of information and knowledge,

• Enhanced technical cooperation,

• Reduced costs of operation,

• Synergies in information management,

• Use of agreed standards, methodologies and tools.

Benefits of partnerships & networking



Success Factors for Regional NetworkSuccess Factors for Regional Network

1. Commitment for contribution/collaboration at national level;

2. Focus on capacity building at national level;

3. Existence of a regional information strategy;

4. Development of a Secretariat role for regional activities;

5. Focus on community of practice amongst the info specialists;

6. Raising awareness of ICM issues at Manager./political levels;

7. Formation of strategic partnerships amongst the major

stakeholder organizations.



Good Practices in National Networking

Existence of a clearly defined strategy and objectives Tangible commitment to the strategy from major players including

government Assurance of adequate funding resources for the network members Strong but sensitive leadership provided by a national focal point Participatory approach in the national network with appropriate

recognition of all partners Development of information repositories of documents

(metadata/full text) and people/organizations/activities Adoption of a single model for IM with common formats and

standards Focus on content quality Focus on development of human resources



Operational Framework in National Networking Operational Framework in National Networking

Assign and build capacity of Coordinating/Focal Unit that includes

National Admin/Focal point. Develop the system steering committee that includes a national

coordinator, technical director and members. Assign stakeholders who will be responsible for managing their own

information (1- Institute Admin 2- Data Entry Users). Connect institutional entities that are not connected and enhance the

infrastructure within the different connected institutions (hardware installation).

Install software system in institution servers (PPlug and lug and WWorkork). Building capacities of institution staff on the use of system (training). Data collection/validation/publishing and feeding to system. Conduct awareness workshops and promote the system.



5- Development of the regional collaborative network based on partnerships for enhanced knowledge-sharing and learning at national level

NERAKIN Phase I: 2008/9

6- Development of the regional thematic knowledge networks (Starting with Biotechnology Network).



AARINENA Regional/Inter-Regional Thematic NetworksEstablished in collaboration with GFAR, FAO and ICARDAEstablished in collaboration with GFAR, FAO and ICARDA

NENARNAPNENARNAPNetworkNetwork

Water Use Water Use Efficiency Efficiency NetworkNetwork

MedicinalMedicinalAromatic Aromatic

PlantsPlantsNetworkNetwork

Olive Olive NetworkNetwork

CottonCotton NetworkNetwork

Date-Palm Date-Palm Global Global NetworkNetwork

Biotechnology Biotechnology NetworkNetwork

NERAKINRegional Thematic

Knowledge Networks

Other Regional Specialized Networks



• Official launch of NERAKIN regional portal

• Training of selected national technical staff to

contribute to NERAKIN system

• Securing active commitment from stakeholders to

develop national IKM systems/networks

Major Targets/Challenges

NERAKIN Phase I: 2008/9



Thank You For Your AttentionThank You For Your Attention

near east rural & agricultural knowledge and information network - nerakin food and agriculture...

Documents

information exchange

agricultural development

region nerakin

nerakin phase

nerakin database

agriculture organization

strengthening information

knowledge access