In order to achieve its objectives, African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) requires quality, complete and timely animal resources information for planning, decision making and monitoring activities. The value of evidence-based and scientific information in every aspect of development cannot be overemphasised.

Rationale

Cognisant of the above fact, AU-IBAR developed an information system for the collection, storage and analysis of animal resources data called Animal Resources Information System (ARIS) in 2002. The application was introduced to 27 African countries. In recent years, the decline in the collection of data and lack of technical support to countries affected the successful operation of ARIS. Hence, AU-IBAR decided to enhance the capacity of information management by formulating the ARIS 2 project.

Project goal and objectives

The goal of this project is to help position AU-IBAR at the continental level and national veterinary authorities at the country level as the central sources of comprehensive African animal health and production information. The objective of the first phase of the project is to enable AU-IBAR and the four Member States selected as pilot (Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) collect, collate and analyze animal resources data and disseminate/share information needed to control transboundary animal diseases (including zoonosis). Built on the achievement of the first phase, the project is expected to prepare proposal for funding to expand the contents of ARIS 2 to animal production and livestock marketing and trade and increase gradually the geographical coverage to more African countries.

Institutional set-up and linkages

The first phase of ARIS 2 project was funded by USAID to the tune of US$ 200,000 through ILRI for the six months operation. A sister project, implemented by the Systems Research and Applications (SRA) was responsible for developing the web-based, 2nd version of the ARIS database using Open Source. SRA has since subcontracted another US company called VIA Consulting Group, LLC and the University of the Western Cape, which involved four universities in the pilot countries. The project had also a Steering Committee composed of AU-IBAR, ILRI and SRA.

Achievements of Phase 1

• Design and development of the web-based ARIS 2 started using Open Source.
• Web GIS component of the Knowledge Management launched.
• Results for the first phase assessed and a business plan developed for the follow-up phase.
• Hardware for AU-IBAR and the pilot countries procured.

Main expected results of Phase 2

• Finalise developing the animal health module of ARIS 2 and expanded to animal production and livestock marketing and trade modules.
• Collaborate with regional & international organizations for data sharing (interoperability) and enhance synergies.
• Geographical coverage gradually increased to all AU Member States.
• Swift transfer of standardized reports from field to national authorities and to AU-IBAR.
• Enhance information management capacity of national and regional experts through training and continuous professional development.
• Knowledge Management capacity of AU-IBAR & Member States enhanced through consolidation of the Web Portal, modernizing the library and revitalizing publications.
• Establish & maintain networks with animal resources data sources and information users.