Improving Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems
OECD Conference Proceedings
This conference proceedings from the OECD Conference on Agricultural Knowledge Systems (AKS), held in Paris, on 15-17 June 2011, discusses a large range of experiences and approaches to AKS explores how to foster development and adoption of innovation to meet global food security and climate change challenges. The conference considered developments in institutional frameworks, public and private roles and partnerships, regulatory frameworks conducive to innovation, the adoption of innovations and technology transfers, and the responsiveness of AKS to broader policy objectives.
Innovative institutional approaches for Agricultural Knowledge System management in India
In India, a multipronged institutional arrangements is involved in the management of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (AKS). At the national level, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA) with a focus on inclusive knowledge management approach. Agropedia and Open Agri are the other recent national level initiatives for strengthening AKS in the country.
A single arrangement for the delivery of relevant technology and technology products is being implemented through Agricultural Technology Information Centres (ATICs). At the grass-root levels, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) and Agricultural Technology Management Agencies (ATMA) have the responsibility of knowledge resource management. There are 200 such centres within a network which includes eight Zonal Project Directorates and that is co-ordinated through a central hub located in New Delhi.
A vast network of Rural Knowledge Centres was established by the South Asian University (SAU), governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) also play an important role in AKS management to reach millions of farm families living in diverse agro-climatic zones under wide geographic dispersion.