A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MULTI-STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM) FRAMEWORK OF THE NIGERIAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR HELD FROM 15TH – 19TH FEB. 2016 AT THE BARCELONA HOTELS, ABUJA.

farmers

The workshop, which was organized by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), as part of the support by UNDP and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, brought together 246 key stakeholders from Farmers’ groups, FMARD, other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State Ministries of Agriculture, Development Partners, Association of Deans of Faculties/Colleges of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities, Agricultural Research Institutes, Private Sector/Nigerian Agri-Business Group (NABG), Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), women and youths and experts on Knowledge Management (KM).

Objectives:

The Workshop had the following objectives, among others, to:

-          Detail and shape the critical components of the KM agenda to enrich and validate the KM Framework document, including roles and responsibilities for governance and management support structures, incentive systems for knowledge sharing, budgeting, and capacity development,

-          Agree on a schedule and timeline for priority actions and get senior management endorsement for proposed actions for sustainable implementation at all levels.

Workshop approach:

The workshop used a combination of interactive methods that included presentations, group work, panel discussions and interactive exchanges.

Observations:

The workshop noted:

1.       The role of agriculture in diversification of Nigerian economy from over dependence on oil.

2.       The dearth of reliable and dependable agricultural data and information in the country.

3.       That information in the agricultural sector is not easily accessible to the stakeholders thereby hampering the rapid development of the sector.

4.       The need for the establishment of a functional, effective and efficient knowledge management institutional mechanism and system in order to enhance proper development of the Nigerian Agricultural Sector to bring it at par with international standard.

5.       That effective collaboration among all stakeholders will ensure the promotion of collective buy-in,  joint ownership, credibility and sustainability of the KM framework.

6.       The need for a high level Government support (Federal, State and Local Government) for the implementation of the KM framework.

7.       That funding the implementation of the KM framework should be a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in order to ensure sustainability.

Resolution:

The Workshop therefore resolved and recommended as follows:

That, as a matter of urgency,

1.       A Multi-stakeholder Agricultural Knowledge Management mechanism should be established at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

2.       The implementation of the KM framework should be achieved through the setting up of relevant Multi-Stakeholder Committees which includes:

·         National Knowledge Management Steering Committee

·         National Knowledge Management Technical Committee to be supported by a National KM Implementation Team.

3.       A Knowledge Management Implementation and Coordination Centre to serve as the operational base for the implementation of the KM system should be established and domiciled in FMARD. 

4.       An Action Plan and Operational Guideline should be developed to facilitate the implementation of the KM framework. 

5.       Appropriate machineries should be put in place to immediately mop up and make more systematically accessible existing information from various stakeholders in order to enrich the KM system (National Agricultural Information System). This includes profile of agricultural experts, manuals on good practices for farmers and processors, compendium of agribusinesses, etc. 

6.       That existing KM / ICT Platform should be upgraded and migrated from existing domain to a new domain to accommodate Multi-stakeholder interest.

7.       Sensitization, training and capacity building for experts and relevant stakeholders including the farmers should commence immediately.

8.       KM system should be included in the curriculum of Nigerian Agricultural Institutions.

9.       A Knowledge Management Development Fund should be created with contributions from various stakeholders including Government establishments ( Federal, State, Local Government, National Communication Commission, TETFund, etc.). Other sources of funding maybe derived from the income generated on the ICT platform through commercialization of some aspects of its operation, donations/grants from development partners, donor agencies, private sector and other relevant stakeholders such as agribusiness group, farmers associations, internet/GSM service providers, etc.

10.   The process of revitalisation and strengthening of Agricultural Extension Service Delivery should be fast tracked.

11.   Recognising that the current funding for the scheme expires in March, 2016, the workshop hereby solicits the urgent intervention of the Honourable Minister FMARD, development partners and other funding agencies in order to ensure continued availability of technical support for the proper establishment of the KM framework. 

12.   That funding proposals be developed within the next three months for implementation of the system at multi-stakeholder levels.

The organizers and participants hereby appreciate the efforts of the management of FMARD and the sponsorship support of the UNDP-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (UNDP-BMGF) for the conduct of this important workshop and pray that its recommendations and outcome be approved for implementation.

     Communiqué Drafting Committee Members:

1. Dr Peter F Umanah, State Director, FMARD, Uyo.                   (Chairman)
2. Prof. Mrs Folusho David-Abraham, Chair ADAN                      (Member)
3. Olutade S. Gbolahan,  ARCN - Abuja                                       (Member)
4. Odey Martin O., FMARD Regional Director, South South           (Member)
5. Prof. Mrs N. I. Odiaka     , ADAN,Univ. of Agric, Makurdi              (Member)
6. Amaefule Clifford Okay, FMARD                                                                       (Member)
7. Pastor Bello Joseph, Farmers Group                                                                (Member)
8. Dr. Uche Nwafor, FMARD Regional Director, South East           (Member)

Secretariat:

1. Abdurazaq A. A., FMARD

2.       Onyenze Bright, FMARD