•Khadiga Eissa Ebead AbdallaAgricultural Research Corporation (ARC)

•Biotechnology and Biosafety Research CenterBBRC))

Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge Network for Strengthening RegionalCooperation and Knowledge Sharing

Biotechnology and Biosafety Research CenterBBRC))

• The Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), established in 1902, is mandated to conduct applied and related basic research for agricultural development in Sudan. The ARC has evolved from small research unit at the ministry of Agriculture..

• Sudan is one of the developing countries with limited resources to meet the huge investment to maintain and run biotechnology research. Nevertheless, a number of research institutes have initiated efforts to establish biotechnology laboratories to support agriculture research.

• ARC is the leading institute in Agricultural Biotechnology in Sudan. A tissue culture lab was established in 1992 for research on mass propagation of planting materials, in vitro mutation and production of doubled haploids. A biotechnology lab was established recently in 2002 which is well equipped for various molecular marker applications in diagnostic, genetic diversity and marker assisted breeding.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), make agricultural research and development processes more inclusive, enhancing communication among all agriculture stakeholders Improved capabilities to create and store data and information; gaining rapid access to it. Increased possibilities for public and community to be data collectors; Farmers and producers can contribute data directly Science can linked to a global library.

ICTs

• Innovative ways of combining modern technologies, such as agricultural information systems, with traditional technologies, such as radio broadcasting, should be considered when evaluating ICT development options.

ICT Infrastructure and CapacityThe ARC functions through a network of 22 Research Stations, nine Research Centers and three Central Laboratories. Each center or station is managed by a director while a laboratory is managed by a head. the basic ICT infrastructure and support systems including hardware, software, computer systems, networking, wireless, Internet access, mailing systems, servers, videoconferencing equipment, broadband internet connectivity, satellite and mobile LAN facility equipped with software operating systems and office automation software etc., are the building blocks that constitutes ICT infrastructure in an organization. However, the advanced facilities like database management systems, and use of internet are only available with most internet and e-mail operation, whereas the skill sets in the areas of programming, database management, network administration, data analysis etc., are emerging in many developing ARC.

Converged and Optical Networks

Cellularand beyond

Ad-Hoc Mesh Relay

Broadcast

ApplicationServer

Operator A

Gateway

Operator B

Public Internet

Object and Sensor Networks

Optical Switching

Optical Transmission

PersonalSpace

ApplicationServer

High Speed Broadband Access

The Network of the ARC

Internet Architectures and Network Technologies

Spectrum-Efficient Radio Access

Local Area Networks (LAN) are almost established in the ARC whereas only the developed ARC could use intranet services. Networking facilities such as Wide Area Network (WAN),Private Networks broadband connectivity exists in developed ARC and some of the developing network communication systems like mobile satellite for agricultural research and extension purpose is limited.

• Database Application Software Tools: such as Microsoft Windows server NT, 2000, XP; UNIX based operating systems, MS Office Windows, commercial applications which are now become standards for greater integration and coherence in data sharing and information exchange.

• Human capacity is vital for efficient use and management of ICT/ICM in ARC.

• Capacities of information and communication managers, who generate, process, organize and disseminate information with the help of ICT tools and technologies need to have basic computing skills in addition to expertise in the agricultural subject domain.

• This lead to improving capacities of ICT cadre in agricultural organizations in the region

Information Systems• An information system is defined as

combination of information technology and people’s activities using that technology to support operations, management information system is used to refer to not only to the ICT an organization uses, but also to the way they share and exchange information with the stakeholders and interact with them in ARC environment.

• organization shares information and interacts with its clients in a dynamic way with the help of information systems that are built around new ICT tools and technologies. These included :

website of ministry : www.sudagric.gov.sdWebsite of ARC : www.arcsudan.sdEmail: arcdg@sudanmail.net

Policies and StrategiesICT policy generally covers three main areas: telecommunications (especially telephone communications), broadcasting (radio and TV) and the Internet. Policies are at national, regional or international levels and some influence each other hierarchically for example international policies in telephone and Internet based telecommunications. Although policies are formally put in place by International, regional and national governments, different stakeholders and in particular the private sector make inputs into the policy process and affect their out-comes.

• Agricultural content refers to every possible data, information and knowledge that is useful and applicable to all type of stakeholders in the agricultural research and innovation system. It includes

1.Science and Technical Information is generally available as structured documents in

the form of traditional printed material (e.g.: books, journals, abstracts, index etc.) or in electronic format (CD-ROMs, DVDs, External Drives, Internet based electronic journals) made available through repositories, digital libraries etc. that are shared via computer/telecommunication based networks.

Contents

2. Research Data and Information are usually made available in the form of raw

data, organized, structured databases and analytical and dynamic information in the formats suitable for the users who are generally scientists, policy-makers, development workers etc., engaged in research activities.

3. Research Management Information The management and governance of agricultural research depend on high quality information on projects, project locations, experts, funding sources and research priorities and this information is very crucial for institutional change process, project monitoring and evaluation and management of outputs etc. This information is meant for directing and monitoring the need-based research, planning and prioritization of investment, capacity, thematic focus as also collaboration and partnerships and in general improving the efficacy of ARC Systems at the national and, in case of collaboration, at the International level.

4. Information for learning in agricultural communities such as for extension and education and

5. Market related information which informs producers how to participate effectively in markets.

ICT/ICM applications in agricultural research and innovation systems include agricultural policy, resource management, marketing, extension, marketing, education, library services, applications for research data analysis using statistical approaches, models, GIS and knowledge based system, applications for research management tools, applications that enable provision of information to farmers and extensionists about good practices, crop varieties, and pest or disease management, education, organizational management marketing, and disaster risk reduction to help countries increase production. which are community to employ knowledge-based agriculture and benefit from it.

ICT/ICM Applications

• The field has since evolved to encompass other key areas, such as the analysis and interpretation of various types of biological data, including genome sequencing, a wheat cultivar became the first commercially important plant to have its genome fully mapped.

• There is considerable potential for genetic engineering to contribute to improved yields and reduced risks in developing countries, provided that it focuses on the needs of poor farmers and consumers in those countries.

• In short, ICT has a central role to play in modern agriculture and the maintenance of agricultural sustainability and food security.

• Information and communication channel refers to medium through which a message is transmitted to its intended audience, such as print media or broadcast (electronic) media. With the advances in telecommunications and computer technologies, the powers of sharing data/information/knowledge have transformed the way institutions and individuals interact and share information.

Information and Communication Channels

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