Training Course on Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS)

Course Overview
Modern agriculture faces complex and interrelated challenges—from climate change, soil degradation, and pest outbreaks to market volatility, policy shifts, and evolving consumer demands. Addressing these challenges requires a robust, well-connected system that facilitates continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration among all actors in the agricultural value chain. This is where Agricultural Knowledge and Information Systems (AKIS) come in.
AKIS is a conceptual and operational framework that brings together farmers, researchers, extension agents, agribusinesses, education institutions, policymakers, and ICT providers to create, share, and apply agricultural knowledge and technologies. A well-functioning AKIS accelerates the flow of information, enhances innovation, and improves the responsiveness of agricultural systems to farmer needs and market dynamics.
This course provides a deep understanding of how AKIS functions and equips participants with tools to design, manage, and strengthen these systems in real-world contexts. Participants will explore the key components of AKIS, conduct stakeholder mapping and network analysis, assess knowledge flows and bottlenecks, and learn how to foster synergies among diverse actors. Emphasis is placed on leveraging digital tools, integrating participatory methods, and aligning AKIS with national agricultural innovation systems (AIS) and policy environments.
Through interactive sessions, case studies, and group exercises, participants will develop strategies to enhance coordination, responsiveness, and inclusivity within AKIS, ultimately contributing to more sustainable, resilient, and knowledge-driven agricultural development.
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Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
•Understand the structure, components, and functions of AKIS.
•Analyze knowledge flows and identify gaps and opportunities in AKIS networks.
•Promote coordination among research, extension, education, and farmer systems.
•Apply digital and participatory tools to improve agricultural knowledge exchange.
•Design institutional strategies to operationalize and strengthen AKIS.
•Integrate AKIS principles into agricultural policy and innovation frameworks.
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Target Audience
This course is designed for:
•Agricultural extension and advisory service providers
•Researchers and agricultural innovation practitioners
•Knowledge and information managers
•Rural development and agri-project managers
•ICT4Ag specialists and content developers
•Policy advisors and decision-makers in agriculture
•Educators and curriculum developers in agriculture and rural development
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Training Methodology
•Interactive presentations and expert-led discussions
•Case studies of successful and challenged AKIS models
•Stakeholder mapping, knowledge flow, and system diagnostics exercises
•Hands-on sessions on ICT tools and digital knowledge platforms
•Group work to co-design AKIS frameworks and institutional strategies
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Expected Outcomes
Participants will:
•Gain systems-thinking skills to manage and coordinate AKIS effectively
•Strengthen institutional capacity for knowledge sharing and innovation
•Improve collaboration between research, extension, and education sectors
•Utilize digital tools to improve knowledge access, delivery, and feedback
•Develop a practical action plan to build or strengthen AKIS in their organization or region