ICT Status Report: Nepal

Bhola Man Singh BasnetChief of Communication, Publication & Documentation Division (CPDD),

Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Kathmandu, Nepal

INTRODUCTION

The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) is an apex organization mandated for generating agricultural technologies.

NARC's Communication, Publication and Documentation Division (CPDD) should be responsible for both enhancing accesses to information technology for the scientists, researchers, technical officers and communicating research results to the potential beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION

.

The future role of information services is now even more crucial to agricultural research. There is an explosion of information and thus is called "Global Village". The information technology (IT) is coming up like anything in the world.

His Majesty's Government (HMG) of Nepal is going to complete " Information Technology (IT) Park" inBanepa near Kathmandu. The "Media Village" is already established near the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu.

The Private organizations in Nepal are coming-up very fast in the field of IT. The Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) and others are also playing a lead role in realising the slogan "Placing Nepal on the Global IT Map".

Nepal's Constitution says: "People have right to Information". It is information and communication that creates informed citizens. The informed citizens alone can make good decisions and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

Realising this fact, the government has paid due attention to set up community information centers in rural areas of the country in order to ensure easy and affordable access to information and communication facilities and services for the rural people.

His Majesty's Government has announced the Information and Technology policy, which has been considered a great step forward in the development of information and communication in Nepal and also a bid to embrace the latest IT innovation for the overall development of the country.

The IT Professional Forum (ITPF) has also been formed in Nepal. Government will soon introduce the Cyber Law aiming at boosting the e-commerce.

Against this background, the regional meeting pertaining to the best use of information and communication technologies for the development of the people and the society would be helpful as it is expected to come up with necessary suggestions and recommendations for the further development of this sector.

Countries that have invested in information technology in an adequate manner have also made progress in social and economic fronts. Countries failing to make proper use of IT have lagged behind in the process of social and economic development.

Technology is one of the main components of 20-year agriculture perspective plan (APP) as well as NARC Vision 2021.

It is said "Information is Power" and " Communication for Development ".

The responsibility of National Agricultural Documentation Centre (NADC) is with NARC.

Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) was established by NARC Act, 2048 B.S. (1991). The Communication, Publication & Documentation Division (CPDD) also came into existence in NARC'sstructure and some one has said it as breakthrough too.

Actually, research is done for the farmers/clients and there is no value of research until and unless the research results reach to the clients.

Therefore, now onwards, the communicationsprogrammes and budget must be in-built along with the proposed research activities. Because uptake-pathways as well as scaling-up are very important activities for the research to be successful and achieve the targeted impacts.

These days, the commonly used terms are information technology (IT) /Information Revolution/Information Age/Global Village etc and now, we have to place Nepal on the Global IT'sscenario.

Today, computers are very common at NARC and computers are playing major roles for research management as a whole. Computer training institutions says "Educated illiterate.

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT (ICM) & INFORMATION COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)

This is the age of digital technology. Computers rule the world and information technology holds the key. To succeed in the today's world every computer professional should understand, manage and use information effectively. Likewise, agriculture research & development activities should be well linked with computer-related software, so as to enhance the work efficiencies.

The main functions of CPDD will be to:

• enhance the access of information related to the agricultural science to NARC's scientists technical officers, researchers and other related staffs through improving database, library services, news clipping and information technology such as internet, email, online information search etc

• processing and value addition to information generated through NARC's research system

• dissemination of NARC's research information through different communication media such as publications (paper and electronic format), mass media such as TV, radio, FM Radio, newspaper, video cassette, slide, exhibits, conferences, seminars, exhibition, press releases, farm fair, field days etc

• support to National Commodity Programmes, Disciplinary Divisions, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Agriculture Research Station (ARS) and other Units for their publication, documentation and communication activities

Their Majesties observing NARC Exhibit on different occasions

• research on agricultural communication activities. Initiate research studies on agricultural communication activities including the impact assessment on NARC's current information materials and dissemination activities.

INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

Strengthening of agricultural research communication and documentation systems was recognized as one of NARC's main objectives, which ultimately leads to improvements in the rapid transfer of technologies i.e. transfer "technical inputs as an extension message". It is essential for scientists, technicians, educationists and extensionists to have access to modern information services in order to increase their work efficiencies.

The success of NARC will be judged not only on the performance of its scientists but also on how well it keeps the public informed regarding its activities and accomplishments.

Information plays a crucial role for the development of agriculture in the country. It must not be forgotten for respecting the "People right to Information" as envisaged by the Nepal's constitution

The Right to Information Act is in the process to be finalized.

For its successful application, communication must not remain on its own rather it must be merged with applied research, practical training to users and extension work together.

Any research is not complete until the findings of the research or technology developed has been made available to the clients for whom the research was conducted.

Participatory research in farmers’ fields

Dissemination of technologies through print media: an example

Dissemination of technologies through print media: an example

EXISTING INFORMATION FACILITIES OR SERVICES

The normal channel of disseminating agricultural technologies generated by NARC to the farmers/clients is through Department of Agriculture (DOA), Department of Livestock Production (DLS)I/NGOs, personal and group contacts, various print & electronic media, exhibitions and others. There are other institutions (University, I/NGOs) like NARC which generate agricultural technologies and also there are institutions which are disseminating technologies like extension departments.

The Central Library and National Agricultural Documentation Centre (NADC), has collection of about 16,000 documents/items including periodicals, journals, abstracts, research highlights, annual reports, latest books, encyclopedia, references plus other materials.

It is especially important that the results of applied research be transmitted to extension workers, farmers, policy-makers, planners and leaders in agribusiness as well. The results should be communicated in a form that all can understand.

There is also growing realization that the actual potential of existing technologies has not yet been fully utilized/exploited. That is why we have to do more than what we did in the past.

Technology is one of the major components in government approved 20 years' Agriculture Perspective Plant (APP) as well as NARC Vision 2021 of Nepal.

The CPDD at present has 3 sections like Communications/Public Relation/Audio-Visuals; Publications and NADC.

There are 52 organizations under NARC like Commodity programs, (CPs), Disciplinary divisions (DDs), Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARSs), Agricultural Research Stations (ARSs) and various Units.

The rising importance of computers and related technologies (Internet, CD-ROM, DVDs and especially e-mail).

NARC has very good coordination with print, electronic and other media and now these media are always after NARC for getting latest research outputs or innovations. This is the good sign of research feedback.

NARC manages and convenes regular talk programs, seminar, workshop, conference, meetings, exhibitions etc.

Mostly the role of Master of Ceremony (M.C.) as well as Spokesman of NARC is played by the chief of CPDD. The maintenance and usage of NADC, Exhibit Room and Conference Hall is also done by CPDD.

NARC organizes and participates in Exhibitions/Fairs too.

The "Outstanding Award" was given to the Ministry of Agriculture (NARC was also attached with the Ministry in that fair. NARC has also won First Prizein Regional level fairs. Seven NARC's scientists and two institutions under NARC also won Royal Nepal Academy of Science & Technology (RONAST)Awards on free competition basis

NARC's scientists train and act as resource-person during training.

The successful technologies/stories generated by NARC are disseminated or promoted through different media in order to sensitize/create public awareness about agriculture.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed continuously from 5 years among the Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives, Nepal Agricultural Research Council and Nepal Television for airing daily "Agriculture Program" on NTV.

There is daily 15-minute agriculture pragramme in Radio Nepal too. Now a days, the FM radio and major daily newspapers are also coming up effectively.

The outreach research is the new intervention in Nepal where scientists, technical officers, researcher and extensionists go together to the farmers' fields to verify the on-station promising technologies and other activities. The concept of " Scientists with Farmers " is recently coined.

EXISTING PROJECTS OR PROPOSALS

Received one FAO's TC project entitled "Strengthening the Documentation services of NARC" in the past.Agriculture Research and Extension Project (AREP)under the banner of World Bank helped NARC for strengthening communication, publication and documentation activities to some extent. As a next thrust, for all the 4 RARSs will have budget and program for strengthening communication, publication and documentation activities in their respective regions too i.e. decentralized communications.

EXISTINGEXISTING ICM/ICT COLLABORATIONS, CO-ORDINATIONS, CO-OPERATIONS PROJECTS

OR PROPOSALS

The Technical Committee on Agriculture (TCA) was instrumental in the setting up of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) at Dhaka in 1988- the first SAARC regional institution.

The NARC is the "Focal Point" of Nepal for SAIC.

Recently held Third Conference of the Information Ministers and the First Meeting of the Health Ministers of the SAARC countries in New Delhi, India has unanimously approved Nepal's proposal on establishing SAARC Regional Information Centrein Nepal and also establishment of a SAARC-recognized Regional Level Media Forum and institution of a SAARC-level Media Fund.

The initiation of the process for regional level cooperation and exchange of knowledge and experience is must. The conference has also decided to make arrangements for providing training and workshop for the media persons of this region and present a common viewpoint on behalf of SAARC at the World Summit Meeting on Information to be held in Geneva in coming December.

Now, CPDD has also the database of The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL) from 1992 to 2002. It is said "Library in a Box".

Now, NARC is also in the network of access to global online research in agriculture (AGORA).

The Regional, International agricultural research and development institutions including 16 International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), SAARC-TCA, SAIC, APAARI,RNAM, FADINAP/NFIS, FAO coordinated AGRIS & CARIS etc. have connection with NARC in one way and other. Actually by now, NARC has maintained relation with more than 100 regional and international agricultural related institutions.

NARC wants to go in "Partnership" (GOs, I/NGOs,CBOs, Private agencies, Agro-Entrepreneurs etc) and not in isolation.

ISSUES & CHALLENGES OF THE ICM & ICT

There has been growing need of improving communication and management system in NARC without which, the works being carried out by NARC scientists cannot be managed properly, the technology developed cannot be disseminated and appropriation of resources cannot be efficiently done.

The E-mail and Internet is profoundly affecting research systems in all countries of the world and information and knowledge can no longer be controlled in the ways it used to be in the past.

The promotion of electronic communication facilities is a major research issue for NARC.

The use of electronic media for the exchange of literatures, the submission of papers for correction and publication, getting help in data analyses and the collection of references. Encouraging scientists to use this media to keep in touch with international scientists, learn from their peers abroad, and share their experiences and findings with others.

Now, NARC has its own domain name (e.g. http://www.narc-nepal.org) and E-mail addresses(cpdd@mos.com.np and ednarc@ntc.net.np).

Budget is the major constraint. The repair & maintenance problem of the hardware plus sophisticated equipments are the other bottlenecks for the ICM & ICT.

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (CAPACITY BUILDING) IN AREA OF AGRICULTURAL

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

CPDD, at present has 11 staffs only like Chief of Division, Editor, Technical Officer, Audio-Visual Assistant, Library Assistants, Administrative Officer, Computer Typist, Driver, Lower level staffs. There is shortage of professional Librarian in Nepal.

There should be a mechanism to up-date staff's skills through a regular in-service training to keep pace with the advancing information and communication technologies.

CPDD organized the "First National Workshop on Agriculture Research Communication" in April, 1966.All the activities of communication, publication & documentationare under one umbrella of CPDD at NARC.

CPDD Communication strategy

CPDD's strategies for communicating NARC'sresearch results fall into four major functional categories, depending on the information to be disseminated and audiences to be reached. They are: Technical and scientific communication, Program communication, Public communication and Promotional communication.

EXISTING ICT STRATEGIES/PLANNING

Considering the growing needs of information and communication services in NARC system and increasing workload for CPDD, its capacity should be developed in phase wise basis.

We need to change our approach a little. People no longer want to be told what to do and what not to do. They like to think that they are making their own decisions. Therefore, in order to be heard, we may need to change from the hitherto, very formal type of preaching to more informal and more participatorytype of programming.

The starting of regional broadcasts by Radio Nepal has now made it possible to air programs more specific to the region and in a language more comprehensible to the farmers of the region.

Another recent development in the country has been the starting of FM broadcast. The immense popularity of these programs and the possibility provided by the broadcast Act in allowing the private sector to start FM transmissions has opened up new avenues

Private sector participation in providing information services to the people has shown an encouraging development, adding the print media as well as Radio and Television broadcasting have been expanding in Nepal heralding a virtual revolution in the field of both electronic and print media, five (5) television channels and over 3,400 newspapers including dailies and weeklies in the private sector.

Nepal is facing an adverse situation of digital divide within our country itself. Moreover, Nepal's unique topography does not permit us to apply universally applicable technology throughout the country. Hence an exchange of experience among us will lead us towards finding an appropriate solution to those forefront challenges.

Let us promote, share ideas/experiences about successful agricultural programs in APAARI through print and electronic media.

The exchange of visit and observation tours by library, communication and information specialists in APAARI countries should be promoted., possible areas of cooperation in the APAARI could be: successful farming methods, successful modes of communications, successful stories/ technologies etc.

There is a general concern that the success stories, of which there are many had not been told well enough, widely enough and clearly enough. The whole question of impact in telling that success story better is a major concern and it should be a major focus that the working groups to be formed and discussed, need to deal with much more than we have done in the past.

The greater importance for promoting agricultural development communications so as to create and sensitize public awareness must be given the highest priority. It is said "Not publish/inform means not Done".

One also should not forget that Research is done for the Farmers. That is why researcher should have good salesmanship, pro-active and a good communicator too.

The professional skill, government commitment and people's actions must be mutually reinforcing.

Whenever, any promising variety, breed, species or technology is identified then it is immediately released by CPDD to the public through various media. Because, it is said "Late News is no News " and also said "How New is News". It should have "News Value" too. We should also follow up "How News is Used". We must inform the farmers about our latest innovations and should not forget that we can't force the farmers for practicing certain technology.

In the past, donors support focused on research programs, paying little attention to support services and the clients. This trend has to be reviewed and change a little.

The real research starts at the library and subsequently we prove it into the laboratory/field.

CONCLUSION

Any research is not complete until the findings of the research or technology developed has been made available to the clients for whom the research was conducted.

A researcher should not lack in "Salesmanship“

A researcher should be a good "Communicator" & be a "Pro-active" too.

Research scientists, to do their jobs effectively, must be backed by efficient, effective communication facilities, administrative and technical support systems but many deficiencies in the present system for transmitting the results of agricultural research in Nepal are observed.

Most of the donors' support in the past focused on research programs only, paying little attention to support services like communications. This trend has to be changed and the communication portion i.e.programme and budget should be "In-built" in the project itself.

Professionals with field-based background in both agriculture and communications are essential for sensitizing the agriculture research communications.

Until and unless technologies generated are not appropriate and suitable to the requirements and feeling of the farmers, it will be very difficult to adopt and disseminate.

It should be demand driven and not seen fully with scientist and extension personnel perception. Beneficiaries must be involved in the whole process to give the feeling of their ownership. They should be the active partners and others should be facilitator. Then only transfer of technology (ToT) plus adoption will be successful.

At last but not the least, let us exchange/share our ideas/experiences/knowledge/technical know-how about the successful agricultural stories and technologies for the benefit of farmers/clients of the APAARI under the banner of APARIS.

Effective APAARI's networking can be done. Let's explore such positive activities for future plan of actions. E-mail conferences and Newsgroups are a way of exchanging information among a large number of scientists.

Because of limited funding and Nepal's remoteness, it is difficult for scientists to remain current in their field. E-mail conference and Newsgroups can help them keep in touch, learn from their peers abroad, and share their experiences and findings with others. For example APAARI can coordinate well in this venture.

THANK YOU