This document discusses the Regional Agricultural Information and Learning Systems (RAILS) framework supported by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). RAILS aims to provide farmers with comprehensive, integrated access to agricultural information through various platforms. It works with various international and regional organizations to share knowledge and strengthen capacities. Challenges include ensuring information meets farmers' needs within local contexts and languages. Success requires flexible, context-based solutions and building partnerships over time.

1. Myra Wopereis-Pura 1 , Dady Demby 1 , Francois Stepman 1 , Krishan Bheenick 2 , Kone Anatole 3 and Jacky Nyagahima 4 1 FARA, Accra, Ghana; 2 SADC-FANR, Gabarone, Botswana; 3 CORAF, Dakar, Senegal; 4 ASARECA, Entebbe, Uganda. Connecting people to catalyze African agricultural innovations IAALD Africa Chapter Conference 14 July 2009 regional agricultural information and learning systems (RAILS)

4. Keeping researchers abreast within a knowledge-driven agricultural development … e.g. growing number of ICT-based advisory services Radio - dial up and radio broadcast Multi-channel platforms SMS of market prices FARA inventory of innovative farmer advisory services using ICT, 2009

5. Kenya and Tanzania, leading the way National farmer information service Kenya Agricultural commodity exchange Thematic publications

12. Building RAILS focal points as facilitators of communication exchange

13. ASARECA Jacqueline Nyagahima NASRO Angola Adriano Andre Benin Etienne A. Ahandage Botswana Orman Roy Burkina Faso Hamidou Traore Burundi Janvier Nkunzebose Burundi Marie-Chantal Niyuhire Cameroon Martin Nanse Cape Verde Antonio Miranda-Fortes CAF Fernand Mboutou Chad Koye Djombang Comoros Congo Bigala jacques Congo Emmanuel Mbemba Cote d'lvoire Koffi Gabriel Djibouti DRC Jocelin Makoko Egypt Ahmed Omran Egypt Mahmoud Rafea Eritea Zeremariam Ghebremicael Ethiopia Abebe Kirub Gambia Ghana Dady Demby Ghana Joel Sam Guinea Abdoulaye Aziz Bangoura Guinea Bissau Lopes Marcos Antonio Kenya Pascal Kaubutho Kenya Rachel Rege Lesotho Maqalika Matsepe Liberia James S Dolo Libya Kamel Ben Essa Madagascar Francine Rasolofonirina- Irene Razafindraibe Madagascar Sanogo Bakary Mail Clodina Chowa Malawi Madian Diarra Mali Isselmou Abdatt Mauritania Mamadou Lamine Dia Mauritania Raj Ramnauth Mauritius Otman Sebbata Morocco Ludmila Mwaa Rafael Maguni Mozambique Claudine Umukazi Rwanda Claudine Umukazi Rwanda Sao Tome & Principe Islands Mariama Barry Senegal Mohamed A. Sanoh Sierra Leone Somalia Ahlam Ismail Musa Sudan Kamal El-Siddig Sudan Rafaa Ashamallah Ghobrial Sudan Doris Matovelo Tanzania Vidah Mahava Tanzania Bontiébite Badjare Togo Mahammed Bergaoui Tunisia Mohsen Krichi Tunisia Bob Mugerwa Uganda Sylvester Baguma Uganda Davy Simumba Zambia CORAF/WECARD Kone Anatole SADC/FANR Krishan Bheenick

15. Allows actors from Agriculture to request an account to create various sites All the sites can be searched in one go RAILS focal points manage accounts in their country Multilingual

16. Mapping RAILS progress ASARECA CORAF/WECARD SADC/FANR NASRO Good progress on the 4 RAILS elements Good progress in some of the RAILS elements Some of the RAILS elements are in place Requires more communications

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