PhilAgriNet:The Missing Link Between Philippine Agricultural Knowledge and Researchers

Abstract

The literature of agricultural research in the Philippines is scattered and is not comprehensively covered by existing agricultural databases. Researchers in the country and elsewhere are not fully aware of what local institutions have done in the field. Since its inception in 2003, the Philippine Agricultural Information Network (PhilAgriNet), with the support of the local Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BAR), has strived to bridge this gap and to create awareness of research outputs of Philippine agricultural institutions. This paper aims to present the current progress of PhilAgriNet, the hurdles, and plans for future expansion. Through the initiative of 14 pioneer members and support for capacity building from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and DA-BAR, a central database of Philippine agricultural literature was created and maintained in a server at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños. With renewed support and encouragement from DABAR, the current activities of PhilAgriNet can be sustained. These include: a) a survey of potential content and content development capabilities of members/contributors o the Philippines; b) expansion of the database through the recruitment of new members; 3) conduct of capacity-building workshops for members and potential members; 4) search for funding from potential donors; and 4) utilization of social networking tools to attract users and to create awareness of Philippine agricultural research outputhis electronic document is a “live” template. The various components of your paper [title, text, heads, etc.] are already defined on the style sheet, as illustrated by the portions given in this document.