Towards effective knowledge management practices for agricultural information specialists in Tanzania

Abstract

Given the importance of the agricultural sector in Tanzania as the main pillar of the economy and recent developments in knowledge management and the importance attached to knowledge as the driving force for development and economic growth, the link between these two concepts is provided. This paper discusses the potential benefits of applying (KM) practices in the daily operations of the information specialists in the agricultural sector and the importance of making KM as one of the components of the collaboration between different players in the agricultural sector. Effective KM will ensure that not only explicit knowledge is shared but also farmers’ indigenous knowledge and tacit knowledge which includes researchers and extension workers’ experiences and personal knowledge. Knowledge Management practices within the agricultural information system in Tanzania is also assessed to see the extent to which the subject is given priority. Lastly the paper discusses challenges of applying KM within the agricultural system of Tanzania proposes strategies which can be used to make KM effective in the agricultural sector in order to improve the performance of this sector.