search through journal, Although Ghana is mainly an agricultural country, the provision for agricultural information has been inadequate. There is a wide gap between the demand for agricultural information and the supply of data. This paper describes the state of agricultural information provision in Ghana, highlighting on various problems such as the unavailability and production of reliable statistical information; deficiencies in local agricultural information sources and services; and the lack of formal courses on agricultural information at the only library school in the country. Improved methods for disseminating agricultural information in Ghana are discussed. (author)
Arboleda-Sepulveda, Orlando (author / Chief, IPM Regional Information Centre, CATIE-Tropical Agricultural Center for Research and Education, Turrialba, Costa Rica)
Format:
Journal article
Language:
Spanish with English abstract
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 96 Document Number: C07571
search through journal, Plant protection research results are analyzed in the framework of their generation, handling, publication and distribution in Central American countries. Personal attitudes as well as institutional policies to stimulate production and dissemination of information have to be established or reinforced. Particular reference is made to the utilization of national and regional journals and specialized information services such as those sponsored by CATIE. (author)
search through journal, The responsibility and tasks of a national agricultural information system (NAIS) is discussed with emphasis on the Ministry of Agriculture Library in Jamaica. The nature of the institutional and interinstitutional infrastructure for agricultural activities; lack of professional staff; lack of awareness of the need for information by potential users; lack of provision for collecting locally generated material; and lack of skills in documentation on the part of agriculturalists are identified as factors hindering the coordination and progress of a NAIS in Jamaica. The development of the National Information Plan; availability of training at the professional and paraprofessional level within the island; cooperation and commitment among librarians at formal and informal levels; and the possibility of approaching funding agencies are described as advantages to a NAIS. Recommendations are made concluding that the problems cannot be fully addressed by librarians without the support of user organizations and there is a definite need for librarians to be active in the problem solving process. (author).
Cai, Jianfeng (author), O'Keefe, Garrett (author), and Cai: Information Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences; O'Keefe: Agricultural Journalism, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 96 Document Number: C07568
search through journal, A study on information dissemination by journal publishing at agricultural research institutes in China focused on the following research areas: goals of publications programs, editing and publishing processes, dissemination, feedback gathering, evaluation, and corrective actions. Data were collected by surveying 75 agricultural journals published from 29 agricultural academies or provinces, municipalities or autonomous regions, and 28 research institute under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Findings were that agricultural research institutes produced these journals mainly for disseminating their research information to other researchers, extensionists and educators. It was found that these journals published articles mostly from unsolicited manuscripts with the emphasis on the academic merit and that little interaction existed between editors and authors during the manuscript processing. Older typesetting and printing technologies seriously delayed publication and most journals were subscribed to and distributed through post offices. Promotion and marketing have not been given due attention. Journal offices at times obtained feedback from readers and evaluated the utility of publication and that the impact of publication programs was mainly evaluated on social benefits. Feedback and evaluation findings were sometimes used to improve future publications but not for the institute program planning. Recommendations are made to improve communication functions of journals programs at agricultural research institutes in China. (author).
AGRICOLA IND 92047823; presented at IAALD Symposium on "Advances in Information Technology", September, 1991, Beltsville, MD, PENpages is a full-text information service that demonstrates the power of sharing information through the Internet. PENpages contains agriculture and consumer-oriented information for use by field-based extension professionals and public clientele. The system is the home of three national databases including MAPP-The Family and Economic Well-Being National Database, PER-Poultry Extension Resources, and Senior Series, a gerontology database. PENpages was instrumental in the dissemination of information relating to family issues during the was in the Persian Gulf. (original)
AGRICOLA IND 92047811; Presented at IAALD Symposium on "Advances in Information Technology", September, 1991, Beltsville, MD, Plant It!-CD, a prototype multimedia CD-ROM is a joint project of the National Agricultural Library, the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the Michigan State University State Cooperative Extension Service. This interactive CD-ROM contains over 1,000 full-color images, an audio pronunciation guide to scientific plant names, full test documents, selected bibliographies, and an extensive database on plants, all linked together through hypermedia connections. The disc features a dual interface: The Plant Selector, developed at the University of Florida,a nd the PlantExpert Advisor, and expert advisory system developed at the National Agricultural Library. (original)
AGRICOLA IND 92047816; presented at IAALD Symposium on "Advances in Information Technology", September, 1991, Beltsville, MD, The National CD-ROM Sampler: an Extension Reference Library is a multimedia CD-ROM product containing 14, 540 documents; 1,900 graphics; 71 comprehensive collections; 65 individual computer programs; and over fourteen minutes of audio. This product was developed through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. National Agricultural Library, Extension Service-USDA, Interactive Design and Development at Virginia Tech,and the University of Minnesota. The paper provides information on the design and development of this project. (original)
optical disks; AGRISEARCH, search through journal, AGRISEARCH, produced by SilverPlatter, is a CD-ROM product which aims at coordinating current agricultural research [projects in Africa, Canada, Europe, and the United States. The database includes current project information concerning agriculture, food, and nutrition. In addition, AGRISEARCH provides contact names and addresses of research centers working on agriculture related projects. Considering that this is the first attempt to harmonize agricultural research project information, the database has much to offer towards the development, planning and coordination of agricultural research. (author)
