Research and Extension Systems

Publications

Type: Publications
Year: 2005

In 2003, FAO launched an on-line searchable database called FAO-BioDeC, providing information on biotechnology products/techniques in use or in the pipeline in developing countries (including countries with economies in transition). This report by Z. Dhlamini, C. Spillane, J.P. Moss, J. Ruane, N. Urquia and A. Sonnino, provides a first analysis of about 2,000 crop-sector entries from 71 developing countries contained in the database as of 31 August 2004. Entries cover genetically modified (GM) crops and non-GM biotechnologies (such as micropropagation, molecular markers, diagnostics (e.g. ELISA) and microbial techniques).

Type: Publications
Year: 2005

This new publication aims to provide a preliminary response to the question: How can developing countries encourage the various systems, organizations and producers concerned with agricultural research, education and extension, and operating in the public or private sector, to behave as one system with regard to the agricultural development component of rural development? In other words: what do developing countries need to establish and maintain an Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) that targets agriculture – broadly conceived as crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry – as a main component of rural development (RD)?

Type: Publications
Year: 2005

This workshop was a follow-up to the study, Georgia: ICT Infrastructure and Use in Agriculture, Agricultural Policy, Research, and Education Organizations (T. Temel, A. Maru, 2003), commissioned by the Sustainable Development Group (REUS) of the FAO Regional Office for Europe (REU). Ten presentations and discussions on information and communication systems (ICS) in their respective organizations showed relative strength in technologies and databases at institutional levels, but weak connectivity to the local user levels.

Type: Publications
Year: 2005

The rural people in developing countries are often far removed from many important decision-making processes. Production and consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a topical issue and could impact on socio-cultural systems of rural populations in developing countries. Involving the rural people in decision-making on GMOs was discussed during this moderated e-mail conference hosted by the FAO Biotechnology Forum in 2005.

Type: Publications
Year: 2005

The geographical location of farmers is one of the factors under consideration when strategies for client-oriented agricultural extension approaches are being outlined. A large number of men and women are engaged in farming in thousands of small, medium and large islands, and they need extension advice according to their unique situation. FAO has conducted several studies to identify extension and training needs of farmers living in different geographical locations such as mountains, desert and small islands. This publication is based on a study that was conducted in the island country of Samoa, located in the Pacific Ocean.