ICTs transforming agricultural science, research & technology generation Science Forum Workshop Theme 3

Conclusion Much more participatory, collaborative, creative and ‘impactful’ agricultural science and innovation is possible by investing in ‘ICTs’ Not just for the scientists, but along the ‘chains’ of producers, traders, and consumers

Process Background paper ‘Thinkpiece’ papers and presentations Discussion in small ‘buzz’ groups Trends, opportunities, issues ‘Worldcafe’ discussions Priorities in terms of investments, institutions and policies, and innovative processes Approx 50 participants

AgScience for Development ICT Cutting Edge Trends AgScience for Development Opportunities Issues Priorities

Conclusion Much more participatory, collaborative, creative and ‘impactful’ agricultural science and innovation is possible by investing in ‘ICTs’ Not just for the scientists, but along the ‘chain’ of producers, traders, and consumers

Enabling Trends Not should we, but how should we? Pervasive low-cost connectivity many ways to do this Exponentially growing processing power Clouds of sharable tools, applications, and intelligently-linked content and data Ability to collect, analyse and re-use massive, distributed collections of data People and ‘crowds’ empowered to create and manage information and knowledge

Opportunities Researchers and other stakeholders connected and better able to collaborate Enhanced information repositories, information exchange and dissemination Increased participation of all actors in research and development processes, brings equity Enhanced traceability for consumers More demand-responsive research and development institutions

Issues to Address IPR, data security, privacy Potential for further marginalisation of some actors Coherence and interoperability of data/information & quality control Fragility of human and institutional capacities Language and literacy Discovery of relevant information and putting it into use Balancing competing demands and policy directions Incentive structures and benefits

Directions Test ‘the conclusion’ more widely Better understand the specificities of different AgScience domains New tools and applications need to be tracked and learned about – indicators Ensure widespread e-literacy Open access and open standards