Franco, Arturo

Hincapié Carvajal, Belisario

Peters, Michael

CGSpace

Michael PetersArturo FrancoBelisario HincapiéInformation and communications technologies for agricultural research and developmentInternal CIAT conference, October 13 and 14, 2015, Palmira, ColombiaFurther information: M.PETERS-CIAT@CGIAR.ORGICTs for Data management and sharing with scientists & partnersSoFT: Selection of Forages for the Tropics,an interactive selection toolInformation and communications technologies for agricultural research and developmentSession 1: ICTs and communications for development Session 2: ICTs for data and information sharing among local stakeholdersSession 3: Data collection using mobile devicesSession 4: ICTs for Data management and sharing with scientists & partnersTo share this successful experienceThe Selection of Forages for the TropicsA database of  species adaptation and management accumulated over the past 50 years180 species are used or are   “valuable”All with particular uses, adaptation and management preferences Worldwide, 3.4 billion hectares of grazing land, more than a quarter of the world crop production area is used for livestock feeding. This is more than the 70% of the total area of agricultural lands in developing countriesThe tropical forages and their sub-products are classified within the greater value crops in many countries and they contribute to the sustainability of mixed animal and crops systems of productionThe importance of forages creates a high demand in information This need is in contrast with a limited number of technicians and versed scientists in the topic of tropical forages and their integration in the agricultural landscapeIn this context, an idea arose for the development of a tool, that could integrate the tacit and explicit knowledge of the most outstanding tropical forages experts worldwideTropical Forages:an interactive selection toolBruce Pengelly, Bruce Cook, Ian Partridge, David Eagles, Michael Peters, Jean Hanson, Stuart Brown, John Donnelly, Ben Mullen, Rainer Schultze-Kraft, Arturo Franco and Rachel O’BrienForage based technologies in the tropics• Rapidly increasing demand for livestock products• Increased demand for forage• To supplement crop by-products• New forages in sown grasslands• Forages in cropping systems – large and small scale farmers• Forages for resource conservationThe Status, Background• 50 years of detailed research on species and accession adaptation• Range of farming systems• Range of environments• Systems: Extensive, crop-livestock, cut and carry, agroforestry, erosion control, beef, dairy, fish• Accumulated knowledge difficult to harness• Adaptation studies being repeated• Investment priorities should be elsewhereWhere are 50 years of knowledge?• Traditional and grey literature• Summarised info. (FAO and Prosea)• Personal knowledge • Specialist forage agronomists• National and international centres• Many retiredOur aim, The Solutions• Need to value what we already know• Assemble knowledge • Develop selection tool• Updated fact sheets• Include elite accessions• Map climate adaptation• Make knowledge available to users in appropriate format (interpreted data) • Link knowledge on plant adaptation to:• Bibliography• Forage management information• Seed/planting material sources and availabilityMethodology• Database design and maintenance• Database linkages (FAO)• Information sources• Publications/reports• Workshops• Interviews• Correspondence (email etc.)Putting it together - Development• Downloading expertise• Literature reviews• Workshops around the tropics• A team of experienced writers• Selection tool validation• Mapping adaptationOutputs• Selections of best options at the germplasm level – not just cultivars – but not nursery results• Appropriate bibliography• Information sheets• Best sources of planting material Key information• Taxonomy• Plant description• Uses• Environmental adaptation• Productivity and feed value• Cultivars• Elite accessionsAudience• Universities• Research providers - information for a particular farming system in a particular environment• Development agencies • Seed companies and FarmersSoFT has been extensively used by researchers, extension workers, NGOs, farmers, and educational institutions around the world with an average of 220,000 visits per yearAgronomic Characterization of 5,374 CIAT Accessions, in 230 sites of Tropical America and Africa, Evaluating and Selecting Materials, and germplasm evaluation networks for regional adaptation trials, establishment and production phase75.593 visits in the last year, leading countries such as China, the USA and France66 Annual reports67 Books12 Brochures20 Booklets81 posters5 links to forages online resources66 working documents21 cultivar releases documentsTotal: 337 publicationsThesisWhat is the information most frequently requested?Email: b.hincapie@cgiar.orgTelephone: 4450100 Ext 3703The SoFT tool (Selection of Tropical Forages) has a user-friendly platform for producers, technicians and scientistsThe ability to select and prioritize forages for specific niches and environments and for specific animal requirements is important to mitigate feed shortages and improve natural resource management as part of sustainable smallholder farming systems, which can help make agriculture more productive and competitiveLearnt LessonsNew research has generated information on forage performance and use in a wide range of environments over the last ten years and its utility, usability and desirability could be greatly enhanced by updating and extending the information contentAlso the last ten years have seen quick advances in knowledge management and information technology, including the use of mobile devices and fast searching that could be employed in SoFT version 2.0. The linkage with complementary websites such as Feedipedia, Agroforestree, GRIN and Genesys will further improve end-user experience and knowledge dissemination about foragesLearnt LessonsCuando nos alineamos a la teoría,  que el verdadero motor de desarrollo de una economía no es el comercio, es la educaciónCuando pensamos, no en publicar, sino en divulgar la información necesaria basada en las necesidades de los productores, lograremos casos exitosos de adopción y por tanto de impactoThe messageWhen we adopt the theory that the real incentive for the development of an economy is not trade but educationWhen we think not only about publishing, but about the dissemination of the necessary information based on the needs of producers, we get to achieve successful cases of adoption and therefore impactSoFT– A tool for targeting forages15,629 pages visited average per month since launch in 2005Revised version in 4 languagesYear Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Min MaxTotalYear2008 11,541 9,095 12,137 4,557 15,652 15,406 11,538 12,834 14,759 14,844 15,853 15,828 4,557 15,583 154,0442009 13,070 13,659 17,875 15,818 15,854 14,223 16,227 15,792 19,799 22,366 18,568 19,000 13,070 22,366 202,2512010 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 12,861 13,754 16,020 16,290 16,018 12,584 16,290 16,739 180,4702011 13,797 14,145 17,558 16,176 17,623 16,085 15,852 17,473 19,023 16,271 20,355 15,580 13,797 20,355 199,9382012 17,813 19,515 23,066 22,937 24,796 21,552 20,010 20,737 22,887 24,804 23,191 18,305 17,813 24,804 259,6132013 21,341 20,029 22,371 25,277 23,908 21,540 19,883 19,133 20,276 21,878 20,709 11,853 19,133 21,878 257,8312014 18,825 19,384 22,408 21,167 23,516 20,587 19,089 18,923 20,974 21,836 21,090 16,469 16,469 23,516 244,268Visits per month [2006−2014]Visits per year [2006−2013]050,000100,000150,000200,000250,000300,00005,00010,00015,00020,00025,0002008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Average/MonthTotal/Year* No data of visits available from January to June in 2010Visiting Countries [2010−2013]02,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,00014,00016,0002010 2011 2012 2013United StatesUnknownOthersAustraliaIndiaBrazilUruguayPhilippinesMexicoGreat BritainChinaMalaysiaIndonesiaFranceThanksA test run• Annual legume in a maize rotation• Cut and carry for hay• Acid sandy soils• Tropics 1000-2000m ASL• Annual rainfall 800mmwww.tropicalforages.infoCLICK !Lucid Selection toolSelect featuresCLICK !800-1000ResultCLICK !Fact SheetCLICK !Fact SheetAlternativelyCLICK !Where is it ?• CD version available • Available online: www.tropicalforages.infoPlease feel free to ask or add informationContact: Dr. Michael Peters, CIATEmail: m.peters-ciat@cgiar.org

Data management and sharing with scientists and partners. SoFT: Selection of Forages for the Tropics, an interactive selection tool

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/68786/1/SoFT%20Tool%20presentation.pdf

Data management and sharing with scientists and partners. SoFT: Selection of Forages for the Tropics, an interactive selection tool

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CGSpace