FAO Hortisun Project Presentation

Strengthening of the Horticulture information Support Network for Small Farmers in Egypt

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

PROJECT FINAL WORKSHOP

Overview on Project Achievements and Lessons Learned

Magdi Latif

Knowledge and Information Management Officer

Advocacy, Partnership and Capacity Development Division

FAO/RNE, Cairo, Egypt



Background

Knowledge is power. We use Knowledge and Communication

to Empower the Horticulture Community (KC4D) with Focus on

Small Farmer.

Our project is based on Technology Transfer, Knowledge

Generation, Dissemination, and Knowledge Sharing.

The project empowers the community with Knowledge

Management tools, services, training, and technical support for

sharing and using horticulture knowledge for development.



Timeframe

September 2013 - September 2015.

Objective

Strengthen the capacity of the MoALR to establish

an effective and efficient horticulture sector

information support network for improving

horticulture information and knowledge sharing to

support small farmers for poverty reduction,

sustainable development.



Partners: The project had six key partners









Impact

• Small farmers experienced better crops

production in terms of quantity and quality.

• Increase small farmers’ incomes.



KEY LESSONS LEARNED



Key Lessons Learned

• People, Not Only Technology: Networks work with people. People need trust to work together and share their information and knowledge. An appropriate mix of human and technological dimensions should be put in place.

• Locally adapted content and context. HORTISUN contains HORTICULTURE information and other information resources produced in Egypt

• Institutionalization: Implementation of the network should be seen as a new way of working within institutions and not simply as a project. As such, it needs to be embedded at the institutional level – fully part of work procedures, in staff work plans and budgets, and systematically monitored to assess results and impact.

• Enabling Environment: An information and communication technology policy that recognizes the value of connectivity and the importance of telecommunications infrastructure is necessary before implementing an institutions-based network-style system.



Key Lessons Learned • Sustainability: Capacity building, institutional development, organizational

restructure, collaboration and team work all played important roles to overcome difficult issues and reach a sustainable phase. Business plans should be prepared and implemented to ensure sustainability and subsequent self-financing. Government support and/or external funding are being sought for the expansion and sustainability.

• Knowledge-Sharing Culture: Knowledge sharing is often a challenge because of the inclination to work in “closed” environments. A culture conducive to sharing requires the commitment of senior management and cross-functional collaborative planning. A knowledge sharing culture should be fostered through a strategy that might include capacity building in collaborative methods, communication for development tools, and exchange mechanisms.

• Network Facilitation: Exchange and information flows need to be promoted between the system stakeholders. A proactive coordination team can promote and facilitate information exchange and communication among the actors. Face-to-face meetings are also crucial to capitalize on exchange and stimulate new ways of working.

• Partnership: The benefits of national partnerships in the development of networks are: (a) A collaborative system and effective communication, (b) Exchange of information and knowledge, (c) Enhanced technical cooperation, (d) Reduced costs of operation, (e) Synergies in information management, and (f) Use of agreed standards, methodologies and tools.





Thank You

Education

FAO Hortisun Project Presentation