Presenting Author

Getahun Semeon

Paper Type

Research-in-Progress Paper

Abstract

Agriculture is the dominant sector in the Ethiopian economy but it is characterized by low productivity. Ethiopia is interested in creating access to agricultural knowledge through an agricultural knowledge management system (AKMS). Such a system has been developed using a web-based portal named Ethiopian Agriculture Portal (EAP). It is facilitated through Woreda Knowledge Centers (WKCs) which are in 10 Pilot Learning Woredas (PLW). Providing knowledge in the appropriate format, identification of affordable technological infrastructure, and integrating indigenous agricultural knowledge into the knowledge system is vital to empowering development agents (extension workers) in Ethiopia. This study addresses two research questions: 1)To what extent does the centralized AKMS support WKCs access and utilization of agricultural knowledge? 2) How can the existing AKMS support capturing and sharing of indigenous agricultural knowledge and best practices?

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Agricultural Knowledge Management Systems in Practice: The Ability to Support Wereda Knowledge Centers in Ethiopia

Agriculture is the dominant sector in the Ethiopian economy but it is characterized by low productivity. Ethiopia is interested in creating access to agricultural knowledge through an agricultural knowledge management system (AKMS). Such a system has been developed using a web-based portal named Ethiopian Agriculture Portal (EAP). It is facilitated through Woreda Knowledge Centers (WKCs) which are in 10 Pilot Learning Woredas (PLW). Providing knowledge in the appropriate format, identification of affordable technological infrastructure, and integrating indigenous agricultural knowledge into the knowledge system is vital to empowering development agents (extension workers) in Ethiopia. This study addresses two research questions: 1)To what extent does the centralized AKMS support WKCs access and utilization of agricultural knowledge? 2) How can the existing AKMS support capturing and sharing of indigenous agricultural knowledge and best practices?