A network perspective filling a gap in assessment of agricultural advisory system performance

Bourne, Mieke; Gassner, Anja; Makui, Parmutia; Muller, Alice Joan; Muriuki, Jonathan

doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2016.12.008

Cited by 44 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…For actor network position, researchers have argued that actors centrally placed in knowledge-exchange networks tend to be more knowledgeable (Calvet-Mir et al 2012) and more influential (Bodin and Crona 2009). Such actors are thus more likely to be agents of change (Isaac et al 2014), acting either as facilitators or as bottlenecks of innovation flows (Bourne et al 2017). Particular importance has been attributed to information brokers, strategically positioned actors transferring information between actors of different subgroups, for example between extension staff and local farmers (Bodin et al 2006;Isaac 2012).…”

Section: Agricultural Innovation From a Social Network Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…SNA is most powerful for assessing and analyzing socio-centric networks defined as a finite set of actors and the social relations between them (Hennig et al 2012). However, boundaries of farmer networks are difficult to define (Bourne et al 2017), in particular in a translocal context. Broader definitions of the unit of analysis (e.g.…”

Section: Data Sampling and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sugarcane network, we interpret as the structural manifestation of a sparse but highly effective top-downoriented extension system (Isaac 2012;Bourne et al 2017) operating in the context of national policies and market dynamics. In this system, translocal advice is mostly provided by a few private and public extension agencies at the district level, while recipients of translocal advice are mostly centrally positioned actors.…”

Section: Top-down Versus Bottom-up: Innovation Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do translocal networks matter for agricultural innovation? A case study on advice sharing in small-scale farming communities in Northeast Thailand

2019

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Recent research on agricultural innovation has outlined social networks' role in diffusing agricultural knowledge; however, so far, it has broadly neglected the socio-spatial dimensions of innovation processes. Against this backdrop, we apply a spatially explicit translocal network perspective in order to investigate the role of migration-related translocal networks for adaptive change in a small-scale farming community in Northeast Thailand. By means of formal social network analysis we map the socio-spatial patterns of advice sharing regarding changes in sugarcane and rice farming over a period of five years. We find that, in translocally connected and mobile rural communities, a substantial share of advice originates from translocal levels. Translocal advice is dominantly provided through weak and formal ties with extension agencies and shared by few highly central larger-scale farmers within sparse local networks. This draws the picture of top-down translocal innovation flows driven by extension agencies and brokered through elite farmers. A closer look on institutional context and key actors of particular changes, however, suggests the potential of migration-related translocal networks and migration experience in fostering bottom-up innovations. Migration-related innovations transfers can promote adaptive capacity also among less favorably connected actors, especially if changes are geared towards limited household resources and are compatible with social practices of small-scale farming. We conclude that a translocal network perspective is instructive for research and extension interested in leveraging more inclusive agricultural innovation. Keywords Agricultural innovation • Farmer advice sharing • Migration • Northeast Thailand • Social network analysis (SNA) • Translocal knowledge transfers Abbreviations BAAC Bank of agriculture and agricultural cooperatives DOAE Department of agricultural extension SNA Social network analysis The original version of this article was revised due to a retrospective Open Access order.

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Section: Agricultural Innovation From a Social Network Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Data Sampling and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Top-down Versus Bottom-up: Innovation Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Do translocal networks matter for agricultural innovation? A case study on advice sharing in small-scale farming communities in Northeast Thailand

2019

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“…Social networks are complex, self-organizing systems that describe dyadic ties and social interactions between individuals [28]. Rather than just considering the individual characteristics of actors, theories of social networks examine the structure of relationships, including those between individuals, informal and formal groups, and organizations [29]. While strong ties (intimate relationships in which individuals rely on others for a number of purposes) often provide a sense of security, weak ties (transitory, often single-purpose, interactions between individuals) create a broader network range compared to strong ties, as they allow individuals to have greater access to information and outside networks [16].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Information and Interaction Processes in the Adoption of Agriculture Inputs in Uganda

Freeman¹,

Qin

2020

Agronomy

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Agriculture is an essential component of food security, sustainable livelihoods, and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Smallholder farmers, however, are restricted in the number of crops they can grow due to small plot sizes. Agriculture inputs, such as fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides, and improved seed varieties, could prove to be useful resources to improve yield. Despite the potential of these agriculture technologies, input use throughout much of SSA remains low. This paper aims to better understand the process of innovation diffusion through information and interaction processes at the individual, social network, and community levels. A total of 203 participants were surveyed using a semi-structured interview method in four rural communities located in the Mbale, Lira, Kabale, and Masaka districts of Uganda. Participants were asked about their access to information technologies, information sources via social network ties, level of engagement in the local community, and agricultural input use. Results indicate households with higher levels of information access through cell phone use and weak-tie information sources are more likely to use inputs. Significant findings also include the interactional effect of cell phones and weak ties on fertilizer adoption. This research could inform policy makers of cost-effective methods of disseminating agriculture information and encouraging innovation diffusion.

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“…Social capital assesses the inter-relationships between individuals (social networks) and related norms of reciprocity (such as trust), that give value at both the individual and the collective level, can be defined (Putnam 2004). In particular, high network densities of formal and informal links between relevant actors are a precondition for the diffusion of innovation of agricultural technology and adaptive capacity of governance networks (Saint Ville et al 2016;Bourne et al 2017;Bodin and Crona 2009;Pretty and Smith 2004). It is important to note that while the structural attributes of networks are important indications for actor dynamics, attributes considered important for information flow may not always be consistent with those for collective action.…”

Section: Theoretical Framework and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agroforestry governance for operationalising the landscape approach: connecting conservation and farming actors

et al. 2020

Self Cite

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The expansion and intensification of agriculture as well as the associated land clearing are threatening both biodiversity and human wellbeing in tropical areas. Implementing agroforestry systems through a landscape approach has a strong potential for integrating nature conservation objectives into agricultural systems. A key challenge for implementing the landscape approach is that political processes and conservation initiatives operate in 'silos', being largely disconnected from farmers and local key agents responsible for tree governance. In this study we brought together different stakeholders in facilitated, structured focus discussions to analyse the role of actor groups in tree governance. We used social network analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively analyse agroforestry governance networks and actor interactions related to information exchange, finance flows, and regulation. The analyses were conducted at national, sub-national and local levels in four countries: Honduras, Peru, Indonesia, and Uganda. Using trees on farms as a boundary object enabled all participants to bridge common interests and illuminate some of the constraints and opportunities of local governance systems while overcoming institutional and ideological barriers. The quantitative results of the social network analysis identify a strong density of actor linkages. Despite this density, results indicate incoherent and fragmented actor networks undermining the support for agroforestry on all levels. Nevertheless, existing processes related to finance, information, and regulation can be better aligned to ensure an effective implementation and mainstreaming of agroforestry for biodiversity conservation. Building social capital among key actors on both national and local levels can reveal a strong potential for adaptive learning processes mainstreaming agroforestry as essential component of "good farming" and integrating incentive systems for a coherent and effective agroforestry governance. We conclude that redirecting both public and private funding towards continuous seed-funding for the facilitation of these integrated learning processes can transform landscape management and at the same time reduce transaction costs.

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A network perspective filling a gap in assessment of agricultural advisory system performance

Cited by 44 publications

References 44 publications

Do translocal networks matter for agricultural innovation? A case study on advice sharing in small-scale farming communities in Northeast Thailand

Do translocal networks matter for agricultural innovation? A case study on advice sharing in small-scale farming communities in Northeast Thailand

The Role of Information and Interaction Processes in the Adoption of Agriculture Inputs in Uganda

Agroforestry governance for operationalising the landscape approach: connecting conservation and farming actors

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