A Systems and Partnership Approach to Agricultural Research for Development

Abstract

In spite of the availability of several improved agricultural technologies generated by the research system in Ethiopia over the last four decades, adoption of these innovations by smallholder farmers has been very low. This has led to stagnation of agricultural productivity and low crop yields, exposing the country to recurrent food shortfalls and national food insecurity. The old approach to agricultural research emphasized developing new technologies mainly through onstation research that were then supposed to reach farmers through the public-sector extension system. The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) has in recent years introduced a shift in agricultural research for development, which is based on the innovation systems approach that involved cultivating partnerships with several actors along the value chain, especially farmers, farmers' cooperatives and input suppliers. This paper presents the methodology used to facilitate agricultural innovations and the diffusion of new technologies and illustrates the outcomes of this initiative with regard to technology adoption, productivity growth and the market orientation of production. The authors use examples from experiences in scaling up three grain legumes. Compared to the three-year baseline average , crop output increased nationally by 89%, 85% and 97% in 2008 for common bean, chickpea and lentil respectively. Nationally, 53-59% of the output growth is attributable to yield growth due to technological change, while the balance is due to area expansion. These results affirm that the new approach has led to accelerated adoption of new and high-yielding or low-risk varieties.

Effect of Agricultural Extension Program on Smallholders’ Farm Productivity: Evidence from Three Peasant Associations in the Highlands of Ethiopia

“…The impacts of the implemented technologies have been mixed, with increased use of fertilizer but poor productivity growth (World Bank, 2006). The country is still vulnerable to recurrent food shortfalls and national food insecurity (Abate et al, 2011). For instance, between 1998 and 2012 the average number of Ethiopians in need of food assistance fluctuated between 3 million and 14 million (IRIN, 2012).…”

Scrutinizing Factors Impeding Research-Farmer Relationship in the Context of the Agriculture Innovation System

“…These factors limited the engagement of farmers in research process to bring innovation in agriculture. Many empirical evidences (Bayissa and Paul, 2015;Wigboldus et al, 2011;Abate et al, 2011;Belay K, 2008) confirm that resource limitation is one of the factors that critically affect research-farmer relationship to bring innovation in agriculture. Moreover, inefficient uses of the available resource fundamentally affect the engagement of all stakeholders in agricultural research to contribute their share in the development of knowledge and technology for the improvement of resource poor farmers.…”

“…The root causes of low agricultural production and productivity are lack of appropriate technologies for farmers; weak innovation in agriculture due to weak relationship between researchers and farmers; the use of traditional farming systems; poor access to market; low adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers; weak linkage of researchers with farmers and lack of incentives for the stakeholders engaged in agricultural works (Spielman. & Davis, 2011;Pender J. and B. Gebremedhin, 2008;Abate et al, 2011;IFAD, 2009). Weak relationship between farmers and researchers is one of the factors for limited innovation in agriculture (Wigboldus et al, 2011;Belay, 2002).…”

Survey of Chickpea (<i>Cicer arietinum</i> L) Ascochyta Blight (<i>Ascochyta rabiei</i> Pass.) Disease Status in Production Regions of Ethiopia

“…Ascochyta blight problem in Ethiopia has been aggravated by changes in chickpea production and rainfall patterns (Abate et al, 2011). Continuous rainfall and cloudy weather conditions during growing season enhance the development and spread of the disease (Jhorar et al, 1998).…”