A paradigm shift in African agricultural research for development: the role of innovation platforms

Sanyang, Sidi; Taonda, S. J. B.; Kuiseu, Julienne; Coulibaly, Ntji; Konate, Laban

doi:10.1080/14735903.2015.1070065

Cited by 49 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Moreover, capacity development activities like trainings or experiential learning through onfarm research trials, as well as more formalized collaboration through contractual partnerships or business deals can form the basis for involving previously unconnected actors in innovation processes. Mediated communication such as (local) newspapers, posters, flyers, email, phone, radio, or video can also play its part in reaching out (Chowdhury et al 2015;Sanyang et al 2016;Van Mele 2006;Zossou et al 2009). When looking more closely at the underlying dynamics of facilitating multi-stakeholder innovation and building linkages between different actors at different levels, innovation system scholars have written about individuals who, for example, helped organizations to extend their organizational boundaries (i.e.…”

Section: Facilitating Connections Between Levels In Agricultural Innomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the literature on IPs, different scholars confirm the potential of IPs to facilitate agricultural development and innovation, especially at community level (Ayele et al 2012;Kilelu et al 2013;Pamuk et al 2015;Sanyang et al 2016;Swaans et al 2014). However, their ability to effect durable change and impact is very context dependent (Ngwenya and Hagmann 2011;Pamuk et al 2015;Schut et al 2017;Swaans et al 2014;Van Paassen et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As an expression of such a systemic instrument applied to the agricultural context, AR4D increasingly employs IPs-in this article defined as multi-actor spaces allowing stakeholders from different backgrounds to identify, prioritize, and address issues of mutual concern (Adekunle and Fatunbi 2012;Kilelu et al 2013;Ngwenya and Hagmann 2011;Pamuk et al 2015;Sanyang et al 2016;Schut et al 2016a;Swaans et al 2014;Thiele et al 2011). IPs draw on actors from different levels and positions in innovation systems (ie producers, processors, traders, retailers, and consumers), as well as those who support them (enabling and conditioning actors such as regulators, advisors, and researchers), and enable a process of negotiation and re-orientation of the linkages in innovation systems, often with the purpose to make these more inclusive to the poor (Ayele et al 2012;Ros-Tonen et al 2015;Swaans et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compositional dynamics of multilevel innovation platforms in agricultural research for development

Lamers

Schut²,

Klerkx

et al. 2017

Science and Public Policy

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Innovation platforms (IPs) form a popular vehicle in agricultural research for development (AR4D) to facilitate stakeholder interaction, agenda setting, and collective action toward sustainable agricultural development. In this article, we analyze multilevel stakeholder engagement in fulfilling seven key innovation system functions. Data are gathered from experiences with interlinked community and (sub)national IPs established under a global AR4D program aimed at stimulating sustainable agricultural development in Central Africa. Our findings show that all innovation systems functions required multilevel action, but that fulfillment of specific functions demands for strategic involvement of specific stakeholders at specific levels. We observed that a research-and dissemination-oriented sequence in the functions was prioritized in AR4D IPs and argue that such a sequence may be different in other types of (business) IPs. Our findings provide an incentive to think function oriented about compositional dynamics (stakeholder groups * levels) in innovation processes, rather than striving for equal stakeholder participation.

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Section: Facilitating Connections Between Levels In Agricultural Innomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Compositional dynamics of multilevel innovation platforms in agricultural research for development

Lamers

Schut²,

Klerkx

et al. 2017

Science and Public Policy

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“…From the growing literature on IPs (Ngwenya and Hagmann, 2011;Swaans et al, 2014;Sanyang et al, 2015), we can distinguish two main types: those that act as multistakeholder forums to coordinate the resources and services needed to promote adoption of product technologies and improved practices, that is seeking efficiency and effectiveness in 'business as usual', and those that experimentally seek sociotechnical and institutional changes that strengthen a society's capacity to innovate, that is, transformations in the system of innovation. CoS-SIS deals with the latter, with a focus on innovations such as, experimenting with processors on improving palm oil quality and setting up innovation platform at the district level, as an institutional arrangement to facilitate access to remunerative markets (Osei-Amponsah et al, 2014;Jiggins et al, 2016).…”

Section: The Cos-sis Programme In Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Embedding research for innovation to meet societal needs in national research systems: experiences from Ghana

Osei‐Amponsah

Sakyi-Dawson

Adjei-Nsiah³

et al. 2016

Cah. Agric.

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-The experiences synthesised in this article indicate how significant effects in two agricultural domains have been achieved by creating pathways for inter-dependent socio-technical and institutional changes, at a range of levels of action, governance and policy-making. The synthesis emphasizes the importance of colearning, experimentation, and critical reflection among a wide network of 'champions' of transformational change on behalf of smallholder farmers and processors. It shows that innovation processes may involve actors along entire value chains, industry leaders at national level, or local level actors seeking to widen the space for change beyond their immediate circle of direct influence. While the research and development initiatives of the domains are shown to have been critical in identifying the constraints and opportunities of smallholders, and also to the effects documented, this was largely because the research effort converged around empirically grounded problems and opportunities identified. The information sought, and the solutions found useful, were determined by the members of innovation platforms that drove the processes of change.Keywords: institutional innovation / cross-scale agricultural transformations / innovation platforms / cocoa / oil palm / Ghana Résumé -La recherche pour l'innovation aux bénéfices des besoins sociaux au sein des systèmes de recherche nationaux : une nouvelle façon de faire. Cet article montre comment des résultats significatifs ont été atteints dans deux secteurs agricoles par la mise en place de trajectoires de changement sociotechnique et institutionnel, dans les champs des actions de développement, de la gouvernance et des politiques publiques. Cette synthèse met l'accent sur l'importance du co-apprentissage, de l'expérimentation, et de la réflexion critique dans un large réseau de professionnels de l'innovation agissant en faveur des petits producteurs. Elle montre que le processus d'innovation doit impliquer les acteurs de toute la filière, des industriels agissant au niveau national aux petits producteurs locaux soucieux de promouvoir le changement au-delà de leur village. Si les travaux de recherche et de développement sectoriels ont été efficaces pour identifier les contraintes et les opportunités des petits producteurs et pour documenter les effets des innovations, c'est largement parce que les efforts de recherches se sont concentrés sur des problèmes de terrain et sur des opportunités clairement identifiées. Les informations à mobiliser et les solutions à rechercher, ont été identifiées par les membres des plateformes d'innovation qui ont conduit le processus de changement.Mots clés : innovation institutionnelle / changement agricole / plateformes d'innovation / cacao / huile de palme / Ghana

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“…Dasgupta and Beard (2007), for instance, analyzed the World Bank's Urban Poverty Projects in Indonesia and highlighted the importance of elite and nonelite participation through democratic self-governance processes in order to obtain the expected goals. Other studies have also underscored the need for committed local government officials as well as traditional and religious leaders for the success of participatory platforms (for example,Sanyang et al 2016). …”

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confidence: 99%

Is there a role for agricultural committees and stakeholder panels in improving information and accountability in extension service provision: Evidence from Malawi

Institute¹

2018

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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), established in 1975, provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI's strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute's work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI's research from action to impact. The Institute's regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world. ABSTRACT iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ivACRONYMS v iii ABSTRACT This paper looks at village agriculture committees, model villages, and stakeholder panels at various levels as participatory and decentralized structures for improving demand articulation and accountability in agricultural extension service provision in Malawi. It uses various datasets including nationally representative household and community surveys, a survey of service providers, a survey of representatives from the various structures, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. It employs various estimation methods including matching techniques, matching plus regression adjustments, and an instrumental variables approach. Results show diverse experiences and functionality of these structures. Contrary to earlier reports, most of these structures are active, except for district stakeholder panels (DSPs), of which only about a quarter are active. Similarly, most of them provide a platform for discussion and feedback on service providers and the quality of their advice, except for DSPs. However, most structures were given poor ratings in terms of their responsiveness to the concerns and issues raised. Household participation in village development or agriculture committees is strongly associated with better household outcome indicators. These village committees, if they are active and responsive to farmers' expressed concerns and needs, can contribute to better community-level outcomes. Results show that these village-level structures matter and that strengthening them is key to addressing their long-term functionality. On the other hand, a model village concept that focuses on an integrated approach to solving communities' challenges is not associated with improved community outcome indicators; therefore, its implementation should be reviewed and improved in order to contribute to development outcomes.

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A paradigm shift in African agricultural research for development: the role of innovation platforms

Cited by 49 publications

References 26 publications

Compositional dynamics of multilevel innovation platforms in agricultural research for development

Compositional dynamics of multilevel innovation platforms in agricultural research for development

Embedding research for innovation to meet societal needs in national research systems: experiences from Ghana

Is there a role for agricultural committees and stakeholder panels in improving information and accountability in extension service provision: Evidence from Malawi

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