Information access essential for advancing agricultural science and national development in Kenya | Research Information

"The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Kenya is part of a consortium of 15 international agricultural research centres known as the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CGIAR’s mission is to advance agricultural science and innovation to enable poor people, especially women, to better nourish their families and to improve productivity and resilience so that they can share in economic growth and manage natural resources in the face of climate change and other challenges.

In order to support the mission of ICRAF, our researchers need access to up-to-date published research. However, the research and knowledge sector in Kenya still faces a range of challenges in top-level awareness, appropriate policies and standards, and in researcher awareness of the information available.

At the top level, there is sometimes a lack of appreciation among government agencies of the importance of the role of information. An increased level of trust and recognition from the government about the role of the information profession would improve research information access in the country. This could be led by the National Council for Science and Technology or the Ministry of Education, for instance. It is important to fully recognise the Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium (KLISC) as leading in national matters of access to research information, including negotiations with publishers. With the support of INASP, KLISC has developed into a strong organisation ready and capable of taking on this responsibility. Subscriptions through KLISC help to overcome the barrier of affordability of subscription content for the consortium’s member institutions."