Dear Dr. Kumar, this is an excellent specific example which brings to light a number of issues that are emerging: * awareness of a value added product USING the data * the role of such products in both conveying data, and alerting to the existence of such data * ability to access the underlying data How do local users express data needs? Look for data? Any examples there? This is clearly a very diverse and complex area, but perhaps we can start identifying some patterns that can be looked at in the next assessment phase of the project.

Thank you, Emefe Oghenevwairhe for these points. I have a couple of follow up questions. 1. Can you offer and suggestions for how we can improve discovery of information? Any examples from where you work? 2. Do you have any examples of research partnerships "tapping the goldmines" of knowledge? What do you notice that makes them successful? What can we learn from them?

Dear Pierina Excellent observations. Do you have examples of where this process has been successfully implemented? Has GTZ developed some methods for this interface between the scientific information and the farmers? Please share any stories!

From: Myriam Sánchez M Posted: Sep 15 2007 - 01:26 PM [quote]In the texts you proposes as a base, ii is common to find a distinction between " partners" and " users" .I perceives there one of the most important aspects for review in the CGIAR scheme of work.Why producers , peasants, cultivators are not considered PARTNERS , but only " users" ? In a non linear R&D scheme , generation, use and social appropriation of knowledge , makes access to knowledge easier an more useful. Also cheaper and gives a quick way to innovation ( knowledge in production). Knowledge FROM scientists only, takes ages to become information açdn , if it happens, ages to become more and better access to food. Myriam Sánchez M Corporacion Biotec Colombia [/quote]

As our conversations evolve, there are important contributions about "Who are the Users?" "What do we know about their needs?" I am going to copy those here, and invite any other suggestions about who are the Users of CGIAR's iGPGs. Then at the end of the consultation, we can see together our collected input on this element of the strategy. So feel free to add your suggestions here.

Extracted from [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_post&cat_uid=16&conf…"]this post[/url] from Kauser A. Malik Posted: Sep 14 2007 - 12:07 PM Subject: Strategy Document [quote]There are basically four main clients for this information. 1. Researchers 2. Policy makers 3. Extension workers/NGOs 4. Farmers. Any consolidated KM facility must take into account the needs of these end users. Researchers are looking for hard core scientific information which may help them further their research or improving a technology. Policy makers would be interested in knowing the usefulness of various interventions which will improve overall agricultural productivity; extension/NGOs would like to know different proven technologies for dissemination, lastly farmer is probably not aware of what is happening at CGIAR. Scientists at CGIAR should also be continuously trained and motivated to share information with NARS scientists. In the prevalent IPR scenario, this is becoming more and more complicated.[/quote]

Mila, thanks for raising the issue of access to journals. I'm tracking down a CGIAR person who is knowledgeable about their journal access issues to join in to this conversation. I'm guessing this is an issue for others. Ekanath, you bring in another, much broader element of access. I think these are two very important issues. I'm going to open a second, new thread about the more general access and we'll rename this one to focus on access to journals so we can focus attention on two important issues. THANKS!

Jim, great question and a good one to get us started. It is appreciated! I have sent a query to the CGIAR team to find out more information for you. If others have specific questions as users/potential users of CGIAR iGPGs, please follow Jim's lead and post a message.

In case you noticed: when you click on the link in the emailed Forum messages, you get a page error. Many apologies from the technical team! They are looking into this, and should have this problem fixed tomorrow. The posts are still accessible from the Forum website: http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html

Thanks to everyone who both read and posted in our e-consultation last week. From the statistics on the site, many new people signed up. We hope you are reading and considering adding your thoughts to the discussions. Below you will find a short summary of week one, a look at week two, and some suggestions to make it easy to follow and join in to the conversations. Week One Summary In week one we invited you to review the [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_conf&cat_uid=17&conf… [/url] and offer any [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_thread&cat_uid=16&co… feedback[/url]. Our contributors noted the importance of the key components of the strategy, identified some current collaborations that are increasing the sharing of data, noted the importance of shifting the practices of scientists to make it easier to share data, discussed intellectual property rights and global alliances, and highlighted the importance of local needs and contributions to the iGPGs. These threads are still open and we encourage your contributions. We also began to explore [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_conf&cat_uid=16&conf…' Needs[/url]. The issue of access to GIS information, to scientific journals and how Open Access can be provided in local areas through telecenters have been identified. A number of contributors raised issues about scientist-to-scientist and scientists-to-farmer transmission of knowledge, but not stopping there, and asking us to consider how local universities and indigenous groups can contribute their knowledge back to the CGIAR. Week Two There are some key questions in this discussion which we'd like to invite you to come to the site and consider: The strategy proposes work along four lines: • A preparatory, intensive study of the needs of priority users; • Integrated access to global public goods stewarded by the CGIAR (technical standards/portal work); • Networking and capacity building to ensure the best possible linkages between CGIAR, NARS and other partners for public goods generation and sharing; • Value-added information products and services; and Are these lines of work still valid and priorities? What other current issues should be reflected in this strategy?" Post your responses [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_thread&cat_uid=16&co…]. The next set of questions we'll open up will be around some of the obstacles and opportunities to remove them. You can join that conversation [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_thread&cat_uid=16&co…]. Subscribing One hint to make it easier is to come to the site and click into each of the major areas and then select "Watch this conference" towards the top right of the page. Then every time someone posts to that area, you will receive an email. You still must come to the site to reply. You must subscribe individually to each area, so take a moment to check into all of these: • [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_conf&cat_uid=16&conf… and Overview[/url] • [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_conf&cat_uid=16&conf… Strategy[/url] • [url=http://www.e-agriculture.org/270.html?&view=single_conf&cat_uid=16&conf…' Needs[/url] On the site you can also find links to the strategy documents and help with the discussion software. We look forward to the discussions this week! Nancy for the e-consultation team