Virtual Workshop Enhances Capacity on Agro-Informatics Platform with FAO Oman
27/10/2025
On 18 September 2025, FAO organized a virtual workshop to strengthen national capacity in the use of the FAO Agro-Informatics Platform with FAO Oman. The initiative formed part of ongoing efforts to promote digital solutions and enhance the role of data in supporting evidence-based agricultural planning and decision-making in Oman. The workshop gathered participants from government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, ensuring that the training directly supported the country’s efforts to strengthen institutional data capacity in the agricultural sector.
The objective of the workshop was to provide an overview of the Agro-informatics Platform, its data documentation processes, and the associated procedures and policy. Particular attention was given to helping participants understand how the platform can be used as a central tool for managing, publishing, and analyzing agricultural data.
The first part of the session introduced the overall structure and functionalities of the Agro-informatics Platform. Trainers presented the user interface and explained the range of tools available to users. Demonstrations highlighted features such as two- and three-dimensional mapping, background layers, data tables, and tools for supporting analysis. The session also showed how users can provide feedback, explore stories and examples, and access additional online resources to continue their learning. This section of the workshop was designed to ensure that participants could comfortably navigate the platform and recognize its potential for agricultural data management.
The second half of the workshop placed emphasis on the Data Catalog, which is at the core of the Agro-informatics Platform. Presentations covered the organization of datasets, the way institutions and groups are represented, and how relationships between these elements are managed within the system. Participants were introduced to metadata standards, permission management, and naming conventions, which are essential for maintaining consistency and quality when working with agricultural data.
A practical component allowed participants to gain hands-on experience in preparing tabular data for upload to the platform. The exercise involved managing geospatial information, including latitude and longitude references and region mapping, before uploading and styling the data to ensure it could be easily visualized and analyzed. This exercise provided an opportunity for participants to apply the theoretical knowledge gained earlier in the day in a real-world context.
“Workshops like this are crucial for translating digital tools into practical skills,” noted Gianluca Franceschini, Information Technology Officer at FAO. “Through hands-on exercises and knowledge exchange, participants gain the confidence to use the Agro-informatics Platform to its full potential.”
The workshop concluded with an open discussion, during which participants reflected on the lessons learned and identified areas where further support and capacity development would be beneficial. The exchange also served to outline next steps, including upcoming workshops that will expand on the skills introduced and support broader adoption of the Agro-informatics Platform.
By focusing on both conceptual understanding and practical application, the workshop reinforced the importance of digital platforms for managing agricultural information. It marked an important step in equipping institutions and stakeholders in Oman with the tools needed to make data-driven decisions, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the country.
The objective of the workshop was to provide an overview of the Agro-informatics Platform, its data documentation processes, and the associated procedures and policy. Particular attention was given to helping participants understand how the platform can be used as a central tool for managing, publishing, and analyzing agricultural data.
The first part of the session introduced the overall structure and functionalities of the Agro-informatics Platform. Trainers presented the user interface and explained the range of tools available to users. Demonstrations highlighted features such as two- and three-dimensional mapping, background layers, data tables, and tools for supporting analysis. The session also showed how users can provide feedback, explore stories and examples, and access additional online resources to continue their learning. This section of the workshop was designed to ensure that participants could comfortably navigate the platform and recognize its potential for agricultural data management.
The second half of the workshop placed emphasis on the Data Catalog, which is at the core of the Agro-informatics Platform. Presentations covered the organization of datasets, the way institutions and groups are represented, and how relationships between these elements are managed within the system. Participants were introduced to metadata standards, permission management, and naming conventions, which are essential for maintaining consistency and quality when working with agricultural data.
A practical component allowed participants to gain hands-on experience in preparing tabular data for upload to the platform. The exercise involved managing geospatial information, including latitude and longitude references and region mapping, before uploading and styling the data to ensure it could be easily visualized and analyzed. This exercise provided an opportunity for participants to apply the theoretical knowledge gained earlier in the day in a real-world context.
“Workshops like this are crucial for translating digital tools into practical skills,” noted Gianluca Franceschini, Information Technology Officer at FAO. “Through hands-on exercises and knowledge exchange, participants gain the confidence to use the Agro-informatics Platform to its full potential.”
The workshop concluded with an open discussion, during which participants reflected on the lessons learned and identified areas where further support and capacity development would be beneficial. The exchange also served to outline next steps, including upcoming workshops that will expand on the skills introduced and support broader adoption of the Agro-informatics Platform.
By focusing on both conceptual understanding and practical application, the workshop reinforced the importance of digital platforms for managing agricultural information. It marked an important step in equipping institutions and stakeholders in Oman with the tools needed to make data-driven decisions, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the country.