Agricultural Knowledge & Information System for Rural Development

An agricultural knowledge and information system for rural development links people and institutions to promote mutual learning and generate, share and utilise agriculture-related technology, knowledge and information. The system integrates farmers, agricultural educators, researchers and extensionists to harness knowledge and information from various sources for better farming and improved livelihoods.

This document was prepared by the staff of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank concerned with agricultural education, research and extension - and their integration into Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems for Rural Development (AKIS/RD) - where rural people, especially farmers, are partners, not simply recipients. It is intended as a vehicle for sharing ideas and principles with the various stakeholders addressing the causes, and seeking solutions, for rural poverty. It has four main purposes:

1. To set forth a shared vision for an integrated approcach to agricultural education, research and extension which would respond to the technology, knowledge and information needs of millions of rural people, helping them reach informed decisions on the better management of their farms, households and communities.
2. To facilitate dialogue with decision-makers, both in governments and in development organisations, ensuring that proposals for investment in Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems for Rural Development (AKIS/RD) are well founded and receive due consideration.
3. To provide the staff of FAO and the World Bank, and their counterparts in client countries, with a common set of principles to guide their work in agricultural education, research and extension.
4. To ensure synergies from complementary investments in education, research and extension, resulting in more effective and efficient systems.

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