Research & Extension

Publications

Feb 2005
This publication presents ten case studies on Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems for Rural Development (AKIS/RD), a concept and practice that hold much promise for advancing agricultural, rural development and national economies. These studies, conducted to gain insight into the operations of AKIS/RD and the countries’ efforts at integrating them, show the importance of formulating an AKIS/RD policy to promote development of the agricultural knowledge triangle of AKIS systems and encourage many main actors to interact with each other for their mutual benefit in advancing agricultural and rural development.

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Feb 2005
This paper, firstly, analyzes the main global trends and challenges foreseen for developments in agriculture, food, nutrition and trade; secondly, it examines the role of scientific research and technology in dealing with the various challenges and opportunities and, finally, it discusses paradigm shifts, policy adjustments and strategies for harnessing science, technology and knowledge towards enhanced and sustained agrarian prosperity.

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Jan 2005
In the context of a global effort to contribute to the improvement of Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS), FAO had commissioned a number of studies on national AKIS in each of its five geographical regions. The AKIS study for Lithuania was completed in 2002 and showed a very rapid development of system elements in the first decade of Lithuania’s new independence. Moreover, a workshop was organized to identify some of the more urgent needs and project options to strengthen the Lithuanian AKIS for sustainable and organic agriculture systems.

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Jan 2005
This publications provides information about buffalo species throughout the world and explores their importance for the livelihoods of many rural families in developing countries. The publication illustrates the buffalo's importance as a draught animal, but also its role as a source of meat, horns, skin and the rich milk that provides creams, butter, yoghurt and many cheeses.

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Oct 2004
An FAO commissioned study of: ‘Needs Assessment for Information and Communication Capacity Building for Improved Agriculture in three East European Countries: Romania, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (T.F.Y.R. of Macedonia) – conducted by G.C. Holt, University of Reading, UK – assessed ICT infrastructure and application for agricultural research in five Macedonian agricultural organizations and their partners. Most of the arable land of T.F.Y.R. of Macedonia (approx. 80 percent) is cultivated by small farmers (average farm size 1-3 ha).

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Oct 2004
Romania’s National Agricultural Research System (NARS) has been restructured since the fall of the communist regime in 1989, and the Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science (AAFS) is now coordinating all agricultural research. The Universities are focusing on education with little to no involvement in research or extension, though ongoing efforts are underway to create private consulting services. The national extension service has been reorganized recently under the National Consulting Agency, ANCA, created in 1998.

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Oct 2004
The “Workshop on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety for Food Security and Rural Development in the Caucasus Region and Moldova” was jointly organized by the UNESCO Chair in Life Science, Life Science International Educational Center and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It was a follow-up activity of previous FAO needs assessment missions and the resulting report on Status of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety in Selected Countries of the Balkans, the Caucasus and Moldova published in July 2003.

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Sep 2004
The current report is an in-depth review on ICT status of the whole National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and its partner in Georgia. This report is part of the three studies that FAO commissioned in order to gain an overview of the ICT status and needs in NARS of member countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The FAO commissioned study ‘Georgia: ICT Infrastructure and Use in Agriculture, Agricultural Policy, Research, and Education Organizations’ (Temel, T. & Maru, A., 2003 ) seeks to assess the needs of national agricultural research institutions and their relevant partners for innovative, appropriate, and efficient information.

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Sep 2004
A FAO commissioned study of: ‘Needs Assessment for Information and Communication Capacity Building for Improved Agriculture in three East European Countries: Romania, Croatia and T.F.Y.R. of Macedonia’ – conducted by G.C. Holt, University of Reading, UK – assessed information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and application for agricultural research in five Croatian agricultural organizations and their partners. Croatia’s agricultural development has been strongly effected not only by the structural changes following the break-up of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, but also by demographic changes after the war.

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Sep 2004
The “Workshop on Information and Communication Systems for Agricultural Research and Rural Development” was jointly organized by the Romanian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (AAFS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The workshop was a follow-up to the information and communication needs assessment in Romania, commissioned by the Sustainable Development Group (REUS) of the FAO Regional Office for Europe (REU) in 2002. The objective of the workshop was to offer stakeholders of the broader Agriculture Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) community in Romania an opportunity to exchange information.

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