Victoria Mbigidde

Knowledge Management Officer, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Uganda

I have been in the field of Knowledge Management since 2014. I always felt the gap, loneliness, isolation, homelessness, and the need to prove my relevance. It seemed like everyone belonged to some sort of association, from scientists to accountants, but not KM. I needed to be part of a family that would understand/speak my language. I needed a mentor, a society, a home to run to for direction whenever I felt lost, and all kinds of support. I needed to offer much more than what I was. I thought I was doing a disservice not only to my employer but also to the entire population, especially those who hunger for the knowledge NARO generates. FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa) has given me a home I have been yearning for all these years, the sense of belonging, and presented a springboard for dreams to come true, dreams of serving my people better and being part of the desired change.

With the KM agenda gaining prominence at the continental level, this is the turning point for the long-awaited agricultural transformation in Africa since the missing part of the whole is finally falling into place. The impact of agricultural research will be felt more than ever since more knowledge and technologies will be off the shelves and shared widely with those who need it most, in a systematic manner, hence transforming livelihoods for our people and Africa at large.

A platform where trust is built with no holding back, where challenges are presented and collectively addressed, a platform where shared learning takes centre stage, and where more innovations spur for the good of everyone is paramount. Such platforms will see the signed declarations, goals, and visions from paper to tangible results.

It is important to note that deliberate and strategic efforts and investment along the knowledge management value chain is a prerequisite if we are to achieve the set goals of “The Africa we want”.

While the timing seems right, nurturing the KM agenda, partnerships, and community/ies of practice at all levels while leveraging available strengths, resources, networks, capacities, and related opportunities can’t be overemphasized.

After placing value on the enormous knowledge which been put to waste for a long time, I finally see Africa on the world agenda − the table of men!

Keywords: agriculture, knowledge management, knowledge, change, Africa, value chain