Online networking tools can help make agricultural resesarch more efficient.
How can we make African researchers and research centers work faster and collaborate more efficiently with other stakeholders? With the support of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Networking Support Function 2 (FARA-NSF2), a pilot project was implemented in 2012 in Madagascar to develop an Innovation Platform supported by a web-based system.
Rasoanindrainy Andrianjofy (FTA) noted that the project managed to convert “highly hierarchical and fragmented organizations” into a funtional network of all actors and organizations (more than 50), including the 6 research centers involved in ARD.
This achievement was the result of a unique network supported by a highly customized software solution — AGRIMADA — and a web platform called Agriculture-madagascar.net. Said Adrianjofy, “There has been major shift in terms of individual and organizational interactions and communication in the AR4D landscape in Madagascar,” and the project is one clear indicator of that change.
He also noted that another mechanism used to enhance physical interactions and exchanges between organizations “is to rotate hosting, chairing and organization of workshops, meetings and events to make sure that everybody takes responsibility and feels involved.”
Blogpost by Worlali Senyo, a social media reporter for AASW6.
Photo: OER Africa
The FARA Social Reporters Blog 
Reblogged this on Madhu Sudhan Ghimire.