Strengthening communication and knowledge management for increased agricultural productivity: A Ugandan case study

For growth and development to occur in the agricultural sector, availability of timely and relevant agricultural research information is important for both planning and practice at all levels. The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) provides strategic direction for publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda. It sets national priorities, harmonizes research activities, and provides guidance to ensure delivery of quality agricultural research services by agricultural research service providers (ARSPs) in Uganda including universities, private sector, NGOs, CBOs etc. NARO has a responsibility to ensure that the knowledge generated contributes to agricultural and social economic development in Uganda. A study (Communication and Knowledge Management audit) was conducted within NARO and key stakeholders to establish the status of CKM. Findings indicate that the demand for this knowledge is huge but inadequate supply, inaccessibility, and packaging of agricultural research CKM products remains a challenge. To remedy this, NARO has developed a CKM strategy to give strategic direction in the generation, processing, packaging, preservation, storage, and sharing of knowledge to benefit key stakeholders. It is envisaged that implementing the strategy will promote delivery of quality and efficient agricultural research services to the technology end users as well as succession planning within NARO.