written by Mabel Lum Shu
Certified Knowledge Manager for Sustainable Development and KM Programme Assistant, WACSI
“Knowledge management is something many companies are sure they need, if only they knew what it was.” – Mary Lisbeth D’Amico
Sometimes you never really know that you need something until it is given to you. The quote by Henry Ford that said “If I had asked people what they needed, they would have said faster horses” resonated with me as I participated in the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Conference 2024. The conference which took place between 29 – 31 July 2024 at Lemigo Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda provided me with insights I did not know I needed. It was one of many conferences organised under the Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference (SPAC) 2024 and was themed ‘Scaling up Successful Knowledge Management Models for Agricultural development in Africa’.
SPAC brought together over 340 agricultural enthusiasts from different countries to discuss issues concerning agriculture in the continent. Despite efforts being made in the attainment of the Malabo declaration to end hunger in Africa by 2025, 50% of Africa’s population still lack access to sufficient food. I was surprised to learn that, Rwanda is the only country on track towards achieving these goals. This then poses the question, “What is happening to the other 53 countries?” These conferences and side events therefore aimed at discussing ways of improving agriculture to ensure sustainable development in Africa through collective learning and knowledge and experience sharing. The discussions underscored the need to deepen our collaborations and foster collective efforts. Effective partnerships was identified as one of the key drivers in achieving the Africa we want.
“Our collective intention should be to connect, to reflect, to construct, to commit and to ensure accountability to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of our actions – Bongiwe Njobe, Board Chair, FARA
The KM4AgD conference was indeed an enlightening forum for me. It provided a platform for interacting with knowledge management experts and advocates. The discussions took a variety of formats including group discussions, knowledge cafes and individual presentations. Knowledge indeed is at the heart of humanity. Knowledge management was identified as a major contributor to organisational performance and effective decision-making.
Issues such as strengthening knowledge linkages, indigenous knowledge, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive knowledge management were discussed. It was great watching participants who had identified some challenges facing the agriculture sector provide practical solutions and recommendations to address them. There was a collective acknowledgment of the power of timely knowledge-sharing and the need to ‘let knowledge travel’. One of the key highlights that stood out for me was the need to make knowledge available, accessible and applicable.
Some participants presented interesting agricultural techniques such as micro-dosing and integrated soil fertility management being practiced in some indigenous communities that could improve agricultural yield.
To crown the conference, a knowledge café was held that sought to gather perspectives on the way forward regarding knowledge management for effective agricultural development. This was my first time attending an in-person knowledge café. I even sat at the same table with the Deputy Director General in charge of Agricultural Development, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, very brilliant and simple lady.
The discussions centred around creating open agricultural commons for Africa, capitalising on the continent’s community knowledge and identifying the investments needed to sustain our agriculture for development KM systems. It was indeed a life-changing event as it expanded my network and served as a springboard in propelling me into my KM journey.
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