Report on
Discussion Forum on Information Services in the Asia-Pacific
and
AGRIS/CARIS in the 21st Century
an Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation

Edited by Michael Ibach and Yvonne Byron

AGRIS/CARIS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

REPORT ON THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL CONSULTATION

4 - 6 NOVEMBER 1996

BOGOR, INDONESIA

List of Acronyms

[Chapter 1]
Recommendation

[Chapter 2]
FAO, WAICENT, AGRIS, CARIS Forestry Information Services for the 21st Century

[Chapter 3]
Activities of the Forestry Department of FAO in Relation to Research and Information

[Chapter 4]
Principles of Abstracting and Indexing as applied by CAB International

[Chapter 5]
Can We See the Forest for the Trees?

[Chapter 6]
Improving Access to Forestry Information: the Experience of FORSPA

[Chapter 7]
IUFRO and Collaboration Possibilities of Enhancing with AGRIS/CARIS

Country Reports:

Bangladesh

China

India

Indonesia

Japan

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Phillippines 2

SEAMEO

South Korea

Thailand

Vietnam

Western Samoa

[Appendix 1]
List of Participants

DEVELOPMENT OF AGRIS/CARIS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Nicks Maniha

PNG National AGRIS/CARIS Centre, Konedobu, Papua New Guinea

The lack of appropriate information is a major constraint to agricultural research and development in Papua New Guinea. In fact, what is often perceived as a lack of information is a lack of access to information, due to poor skills in information technology, lack of appropriate equipment and insufficient funds to develop adequate information systems. Although a certain amount of information on agriculture and related subjects is published in Papua New Guinea, there is a very strong reliance on information published abroad and a general distrust for what is produced in this country, to the point that scientists have a tendency to publish their papers in foreign journals and not at home. Publishing activities include journals, meeting reports, research reports, technical reports, bibliographies, posters, training and extension materials, programme leaflets and press releases.

Nowadays, scientific information from developed nations is easily accessible through sophisticated means provided by computers and satellite communications. However, the acquisition of foreign literature is expensive. Although funds for the acquisition of foreign material are scarce, there is a certain amount acquired and held by various Government institutions through various means, in particular from projects operating in the country.

Consequently, time-consuming and expensive searches for information produced in the country or abroad could be considerably reduced if there was an effective way of collecting, recording and disseminating agricultural information. Consequently, one of the Government priorities is to ensure that an efficient system of controlling and disseminating agricultural information for researchers, trainers, policy makers, extension workers and other users in Papua New Guinea, which would allow a better recording and flow of information within the country as well as in and out of the country. Also, mechanisms of exchanging and sharing information must be developed to make the most of information resources available in the country.

The AGRIS/CARIS project has attempted to address these problems and to initiate an agricultural information system as an embryo for a nation-wide system. The National AGRIS/CARIS Centre was established in 1989 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This provided a focus for the Government to seek broader-based assistance in agricultural documentation from FAO. Within this framework and also because of the financial crisis in the country, the Government requested FAO/TCP assistance to support the strengthening of the AGRIS/CARIS project in Papua New Guinea and designated the Department of Agriculture and Livestock as the implementing body. Information on AGRIS/CARIS databases are not limited to agriculture. They also include information on fisheries, forestry and related fields.

The PNG National Forest Authority and the PNG Forest Research Institute have contributed significantly to the development of the National AGRIS/CARIS databases. In fact, 50% of the data contained in the CARIS database are records of new and on-going research undertaken by the PNG Forest Research Institute.

Systematic collection of information is a major problem in Papua New Guinea. Information is obtained on ad hoc basis. A network is needed to enable systematic collection of data. We also need to have one uniform software programme such as CDS/ISIS installed in all relevant libraries and information centres for documentation and export of AGRIS/CARIS information.

The concept of regional co-operation is excellent. Papua New Guinea has vast amounts of information on agriculture, fisheries and forestry scattered in libraries across the country which need to be documented and shared. However, first a comprehensive national database must be established before data can be effectively shared and benefits derived from the national, regional and international databases.

The South Pacific Island member countries have formed a Standing Committee on Agricultural Information Networking in the Pacific (SCAINIP). SCAINIP is responsible for developing regional agricultural databases. Papua New Guinea National AGRIS/CARIS Centre is the focal point for SCAINIP. With the co-operation already in place, SCAINIP sees no problem in developing a Pacific regional forestry database which will be linked to the Asia/Pacific regional network. SCAINIP would therefore need financial and technical assistance from the Asia/Pacific regional organisation to develop the database.