1. Creation of a Semantic Framework for Information and Knowledge Exchange in Indian Agricultural Research - India AOS
Rationale/Objective:
To achieve interoperability and high quality search, semantic standards are needed that define the exchange standards between Agricultural research and extension material in India.
Output
The India AOS will contain Vocabularies, Application Profiles, Ontologies, thesauri and other semantic standards. The framework will be developed and made accessible through different pathways (downloading, webservices) so that all information systems can refer to the Indian AOS. The Indian AOS will be synchronized with other Standard intiatives likes FAOs global AOS, the DC -MES and various other specialized standard services. A methodology for further maintenance will be developed to assure sustainability of the India AOS
Effort:
Approximately 2 subject specialists and 2 Information Management Specialist for 2 years (estimated cost: 64.000 USD; 50000 USD for software development, 50.000 USD for contracts regarding translation of AGROVOC and for subject vocabularies USD; Hardware: 10.000)
Costs total: about 200.000 USD.
Remark:
The cost calculation assumes that the Indian AOS is hosted free of Charge with an Organization in Hyderabad. Hyderabad is a location of choice because of the great density of Agricultural research institutions. FAO would contribute to this project in kind about 8 personmonths over two years of professional staff to support the work and to integrate it into a global context.
2. Development of an Indian OpenArchive Management Tool - AGRIS Dspace
Rationale:
There are various tools available to manage OpenArchives of Research and Extension Publications. But non of them fits completely the requirements of the Agricultural community and non of them is tailored for specific requirements of ICAR. DSpace an openSource project, initially developed by HP and MIT, has been used already in various Indian OA projects and has shown to be a suitable tool, Initial projects by the Indian Statistics Institute in Bangalore already haven been started to integrate AGROVOC and the AGRIS AP into DSPACE.
Output
A completely customized version of DSPACE and an easy installation mechanism and the rollout of this software to all Indian openARchives within ICAR
Effort
To be calculated byr ARD Prasad. I think that the development costs should not be more than 20.000 USD. Eventual 30 training seminars could have a cost of 5000 USD each, but this also would need to be calculated by the Indian Partners
3. Bringing all journals of ICAR online and establishment of at least 30 OpenArchives among agricultural Universities and ICAR Research Institutes.
Rationale
India produces an enormous of Agricultural Knowledge. Most of this is buried at the moment within the single institutes because of the lack of a network of institutional open Archives. A big part is available through ICAR journals but only in printed version through subscriptions. Goal of this project is to bring all journals online and to create at least 30 openArchives,
Output
Online journals available, OpenArchives established. ICAR knowledge portal to access all these sources
Costs:
Difficult to estimate, Balaji and ARD Prasad would be better in giving input
There is a small amount necessary of Software adaptation, another amount to digitize at least some of the legacy material, the biggest chunk is for awareness raising and training seminars within the institutions
Remark
THis project would give a great visibility to Indian Agricultural Information. THe resulting knowledge portal would be of importance not only in India but it would be also an important tool for "South-South"exchange. Indian AGRO Industrie might be interested to sponsor these portal through ads.