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Agricultural informatics:knowledge management, research & development 

by Ashraf Tanvir, Director, Scientific Information , NARC Islamabad

Published in "The News"  Rawalpindi / Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi on January 08, 2007 

Generation of knowledge is one of the prime functions of a research and development organization/system. Knowledge generates more knowledge by its application in research endeavors. The sustained efforts of scientists result in generation of new knowledge which is transformed into packages of technology. The application of new technology produces more knowledge, and this cycle goes on.

Management of knowledge, generated from different research and development activities is a key factor for sustainable development in agriculture. Successful implementation of technologies and innovations developed by researchers depends on their availability in the formats that could be understandable, acceptable and applicable. In order to benefit from the research results, it is important to develop a system for knowledge management and dissemination for proper application/utilization by the end users.

The Directorate of Scientific Information, established by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in 1980 was re-organized in 1984 at the premises of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad to cater to the needs of scientific community for research literature and a variety of other information services. The Directorate continued its functions and activities for location, collection, processing and dissemination of information through different means and sources using appropriate tools, techniques and technologies. The Directorate introduced first-ever use of computers, CD-ROM and other electronic information gathering/dissemination technologies in Pakistan during 1980s. Sustained efforts have been made by PARC Information Scientists to keep updated the agricultural scientists, researchers, planners, research managers, policy makers, farmers and students, especially those of agricultural universities, on latest research and development activities in their areas of interest.

The Directorate comprises various sections/activities viz. National Library of Agricultural Sciences, PARC Website, Databases, Documentation, Public Information and Photography to facilitate the scientific community and other relevant clientele.

GOALS

1.    Locate, acquire, process and disseminate information related to agricultural research

2.    Establish and maintain a National Agricultural Reference and Research library

3.    Serve as national focal point for agricultural informatics activities/ programs

National Library of Agricultural Sciences

A well-organized, properly stocked and fully computerized library is an essential pre-requisite for any research and development (R&D) organization. Being cognizant of this role a research and reference library was established at NARC in 1984 to facilitate the flow and documentation of scientific and technical information. To meet the rapidly growing information needs, addition of latest publications to the library continued. NARC library was fully computerized in 1997-98 and its catalogue is available on Internet through PARC Website for online searching. More than 30,000 library holdings include 23,000(+) books/publications; 2900 reprints of documents, 3186 microfiches, 3000 microfilms and 1028 journal titles. Current subscription of research journals is 80. The Library services include current contents of journals, computerized database searching, bibliographic references, Internet, e-mail, circulation, consultation and advice, exchange of publications with national/international institutions and depository library for FAO publications.

PARC Website

PARC website (www.parc.gov.pk) was launched in August 2000. Developed as an English language site with only 100 pages, three online databases and addressed mainly the scientists, policy makers and agriculture students. Within a short span of time it developed into a bi-lingual website with a strong Urdu section. The focus now include the most important audience-both progressive and conventional farmers.

PARC “Agro-Forum”, first of its kind in the country for on-line discussion has 350 (+) members actively sharing their research problems/ issues/views and finding solutions.

Databases

To facilitate the scientific community in review of Pakistani research literature, Pakistan Agriculture Database (CATPAK) has been developed and expanded with the addition of bibliographic information of publications about Pakistan’s agriculture published anywhere in the world. It has more than 53,000 records; 17,000 contain theses information.

Computerized catalogue of NARC Library contains information of more than 23,000 publications including books, documents, theses, reports, monographs, etc.

A system has been designed for computerization of journal holdings of various agricultural libraries of Pakistan by creating a relational database. The information of 3000 journal/magazine titles with available volumes and issues in 36 libraries has been entered in this database. A web based software of the same has also been developed and uploaded on PARC website for its wider use by scientific community facilitating decentralized input/editing of data by participating libraries through Internet.

Documentation

AGRIS (International Information System for the Agricultural Sciences and Technology) is FAO-sponsored cooperative agriculture information system with more than 240 national/multinational and regional participating centres. Each centre submits the bibliographic information of the literature published within their jurisdiction to AGRIS. 

The Directorate of Scientific Information, being the National Liaison Office for AGRIS activities in Pakistan, regularly sends its input for inclusion in the main database. About 1500 records of Pakistani published literature on agriculture are annually contributed to the AGRIS database via Internet. So for 24,000(+) records have been contributed to the AGRIS database.

Public Information

Articles /briefs /news items are contributed to national Press for information of planners, policy makers, farmers and general public and published in the leading newspapers as well as utilized by electronic media.

   Photography

            Scientific and functional photographic facilities are available for scientists and researchers for their field and lab experiments and important events and 100,000(+) photographs/slides have been prepared. A modest scientific slides library have also been maintained.

 Research-based Knowledge 

Scientific knowledge is a crucial landmark for assessing progress of any nation in research and development (R&D) sectors. The research-based knowledge generated by PARC scientists has been published extensively as research papers in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) – recognized scientific journals, conference papers, books, book chapters and technical reports. A summary of the PARC research publications is as under:

TABLE

3,318

143

106

608

420

1,286

             In addition, 500(+) extension brochures/leaflets have been published in national/ local languages, i.e., Urdu, Sindhi, etc., for immediate benefit of the farmer communities.

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