Experiences of RAILS Learning Teams from Ethiopia

Abebe kirub [email protected]

Towards paradigm shift to access agricultural knowledge and technologies through learning and innovation platforms 1

Introduction

The Ethiopian RAILS team was established in late 2010.

The team is composed of several stakeholders from Ethiopian agricultural research training/ education and development actors.

The vision of the team is “

to see information and knowledge on Ethiopian agriculture is fully accessed.”

Support to improve production and productivity (extension and development) Support capacity building ( training and education) Support core business (research)

2

RAILS actors

The RAILS team include relevant actors from Ministry of Agriculture, Regional States Bureaues of Agriculture, Zone and district agricultural development offices, Agricultural research institutes (at federal and regional states levels), Higher learning institutions (with agricultural faculties), Agricultural training and vocational colleges, Farmers training centers, NGOs (involved in agriculture and rural development activities), development).

and Community-based organizations (within the spectrum of agricultural

3

Assumption to establish RAILS

During the establishment of the team and identification of potential RAILS member institutions, it was assumed that members are expected to open up their information and knowledge resources for more access by all stakeholders (farmers, pastoralists, professionals, advocates, development agents, researchers, and educators/ trainers).

4

Challenges

The team had experienced certain key challenges mainly in scaling up of knowledge that can influence knowledge transfer. These key challenges include,

networks); activities ; and

but not limited to

Less insight on the issues revolving around RAILS; especially at middle level leaderships; Inadequate openness to agricultural knowledge resources from member institutions/ organizations; Less regard to RAILS by some individuals and institutions; who, as a result opt for other optional platforms (social media and Staff turnover/ high attrition rates of skilled staff; Unforeseen commitments that led to less involved in group Weak linkages with DONATA and RAILS (staff turnover at DODATA side thus discontinuity of joint activities)

5

Swimming against the tide successfully

activities, it was possible to reach about

2 5% (220,000-550,000)

outputs.

of the farming household (estimated at 11 million) and made part of the direct benefits of the platform This was made possible with professional assistance of researchers and extension agents A number of information and knowledge objects were in place for a robust knowledge transfer Policy and development actors are in support of the activities of RAILS where new agricultural technologies are transferred There is also a sign of new partnership with industries who consume agricultural knowledge for that domain of value-chain associated with agriculture Students of higher education are more inclined to the activities of RAILS for the partial completion of their graduation/ academic requirements

Several knowledge objects such as leaflets, posters, banners, radio and TV broadcasts and newspapers and magazine articles have been used to reach the farming and pastoralist HH 6

Major outcomes

Initiating team spirit of agricultural information and knowledge management professionals Training web2 tools and associated ICM resources (e-RAILS essentials) Improved science communication skills (especially, for agricultural researchers). One instance among the many includes training given to over 180 young agricultural researchers at federal and regional levels to skill up their scientific writing. The training was mainstreamed by modular packages as well as writing scientific manuscripts from a processed or analyzed data. Because of this training, between 2010 and 2012 over 37 journal articles were published by young researchers (who took the training) in reputable journals both within the country and at international levels. This training also helped researchers to train extension agents on how to prepare effective and functional production guidelines (brochures, leaflets, and posters).

7

Knowledge sharing and scaling out

Arranging farmers days; Facilitating open house activities in various research centers; Supporting agricultural exhibitions; Facilitating scientific communications; Sharing information and knowledge management tools (such as KOHA, and DSPACE) Arranging discussion forums; and Online content publication (using ICT in knowledge)

8

Looking ahead

The way forward to better serve the target communities considering a sense of paradigm shift from earlier approach of establishing RAILS team will be done as follows: Identifying sources of commitment (trustworthiness) of regularly responding institutions and capitalize on their strengths; Identifying and labeling key gaps and opportunities for a strong and functional RAILS team; Continuous learning and assessment; and Recognizing best practices and innovations

9

Organizations in e-RAILS

1% 2% 2% 3% 2% 7% 15% 13% 55%

Research inst.

Research projects University Extension Business partnership Professional assn NGO others Research institute 14 Research project 50 University Extension Business Partnership 12 6 2 Target for 2014 1 Professional association 2 NGO 2 others 3 Total 92 122

10

Best five websites on eRAILS portals

11

Gender balance in eRAILS

Measurement

No % Target for 2014 (%)

Male Female

44 9 83.02

70 16.98

30

Total

53 100.00

100.00

12

13