Thematic Briefs Knowledge Management in African Agriculture

In 2021, CAADP-XP4 Partners (FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA & CORAF) jointly designed and rolled out the annual Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) agenda (Challenge & Conference) in partnership with the Knowledge for Development Partnership. 

The annual Challenge seeks to build appropriate capacities, establish communities of practice for Knowledge Management and strengthen the knowledge ecosystem. It is implemented through an integrated, strategic, educational, and transformational approach. 

The KM4AgD Challenge is the lighthouse project for knowledge-based development in AR4D in Africa. It will take place annually in a growing number of countries. In 2021, twenty-eight (28) participants from twenty-two (22) countries (NARES) joined the Challenge.
As part of the outcomes, they identified 10 KM Challenges and developed 6 thematic briefs to guide African institutions in addressing the Knowledge gaps. 

These have been published through the FARA Policy Briefs (FPB) Series in the FARA library and are accessible for free.

Knowledge Management and Decision Support initiatives are crucial for catalyzing agricultural innovation and climate-relevant interventions. In the last decade, there has been a significant increase in knowledge management and decision support interventions in development programmes across Africa. 

Existing agricultural and agribusiness knowledge and statistics are spotty and unreliable in Africa. Despite the existence of official statistics agencies in most, if not all, African countries (housed either by national bureaus of statistics, the national chamber of commerce, or within ministries of agriculture) with the responsibility to collect, manage, and make available reliable agricultural knowledge. The ability to manage knowledge is becoming increasingly more crucial in today’s knowledge economy. 

1. Strengthening knowledge Partnerships in African Agriculture 

Abugri B., Brandner A., Mbigidde V., Issa F.O., Humulane A., Yeboah M., and Hinckley E. (2022). Strengthening knowledge Partnerships in African Agriculture Thematic Policy Brief No 1/10.  (April 2022) # 11 p. 

2. Knowledge Management (KM) Awareness

Abugri B., Brandner A., Atsu P., Kabuya D., Mvubu B. and Waleling A. (2022). Knowledge Management (KM) Awareness. Thematic Policy Brief No 2/10. (April 2022): # 12 p.

3. Fake News and Misinformation in the Agriculture Sector

Abugri B., Brandner A., Atsu P., Kabuya D., Mvubu B. and Waleling A. (2022). Fake News and Misinformation in the Agriculture Sector. Thematic Policy Brief No 3/10. # 12 p.

4. Organizational Knowledge Management Professionalization

Abugri B., Brandner A., Asiimwe E., Baijang L., Bappa M., Arunga P., and Abdulai Z.
(2022). Organizational Knowledge Management Professionalization. Thematic Policy Brief No 4/10.

 # 13 p.

5. Strengthen Knowledge Management Competence Centres to drive the Transformation of African Countries into Knowledge Societies

Abugri B., Brandner A., Asiimwe E., Baijang L., Bappa M., Arunga P., and Abdulai Z. (2022). Strengthen Knowledge Management Competence Centres to drive the Transformation of African Countries into Knowledge Societies Policy Brief No 5/10.  # 14 p.

6. Advocating for Knowledge Inclusion and Adoption of Viable Business Models in the creation and Dissemination of Knowledge within National Agricultural Research Services (NARS)

Abugri B., Brandner A., Masereka C.Y., Ngumba F.N., Kang’omezulu A., Nyikwagh E.T.,
and Mahava V. (2022). Advocating for Knowledge Inclusion and Adoption of Viable Business
Models in the creation and Dissemination of Knowledge within National Agricultural Research
Services (NARS) Policy Brief No 6/10. # 13 p.