Tropentag, September 14 - 16, 2010 in Zurich "World Food System – A Contribution from Europe"

"Aid-infoservice Germany": A Success Modell for the Development Cooperation

University of Bonn, Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS), Germany

Abstract

In view of the high numbers of malnourished people worldwide it is evident that agricultural production and productivity together with the nutrition situation have to be improved. Knowledge transfer is one of the key issues for improved agricultural productivity, food security and nutrition. The evaluation of the potential applicability of the – in Germany – successful operating knowledge transfer system “aid-Infoservice Germany” as a model for developing countries is matter of the study. The analysis confirmed that “aid-Infoservice” can be considered as a success model for the knowledge transfer in the field of agriculture, food and nutrition – in Germany. In an effective and efficient way the organisation has had a sustainable development impact by providing and implementing the relevant knowledge and information, and by contributing to education and problem solution of the target groups. The systematic screening of organisations together with the personal interviews confirmed that an organisation or a service with the characteristics of “aid-Infoservice Germany” does not exist in the same or a similar set-up. Critical characteristics, such as the systematic integration and participation, the combined media- and technical expertise, the multi-disciplinary focus are not provided for by one institution in the same combination. The widely missing interface between science and practice is one of the root causes for the difficulties in the transfer of knowledge to local target groups. Didactical information material and media – designed according to the specific requirements of the country and the local target groups – can improve the knowledge transfer in developing countries. The value-added by potential “aid”-country offices in developing countries was overwhelmingly endorsed by the expert interviews and the focus group. The issue of sustainability remained as a major constraint for the potential implementation of the “aid”-model in developing countries. These concerns are relevant and can only be addressed and evaluated through further examination in the context of a pilot project that tests the model and its benefits/added value for both governments and stakeholders in the development context. Both FAO and BMELV have agreed to develop and support a project proposal for such a pilot project.

Keywords: Agricultural productivity, aid-infoservice Germany, food-security, knowledge transfer, media, nutrition, success-model, target groups

Contact Address: Friederike Eversheim, University of Bonn, Agricultural Science and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS)
current address: Jentgesallee 43, 47803 Krefeld, Germany, e-mail: eversheimaol.com