Disentangling the experiential learning process of coffee farmers in Uganda’s innovation platforms

Abstract

Purpose: While new rich learning opportunities emerged through the introduction of Innovation Platforms (IPs) in agricultural value chains, the extent to which IPs enhance farmer experiential learning is still unclear. Design/methodology/approach: This paper brings clarity to the above question by interviewing 91 coffee IP farmers. Data were analyzed through content analysis to generate overarching themes for farmers' experiences, learning activities, and outcomes. Findings: Results reveal that participation in IP learning activities generates farmers' knowledge to cope with coffee value chain challenges. Specifically, farmers' making-meaning of challenges and generating new solutions represents an iteration between individual critical reflection and experimentation of value chain activities. The IPs facilitated multi-directional knowledge flows among farmers by mobilizing necessary resources. Practical implications: As many Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) governments cannot provide sufficient extension support, farmers increasingly rely on IPs whose processes stimulate members' learning commitment and endeavors. Nevertheless, Governments can use these findings to tailor the design and implementation of IPs to farmers' experiential learning processes. Theoretical implications: The study contributes to experiential theory in the context of agriculture by advancing a model on how IPs can accelerate farmers' experiential learning processes based on the challenges experienced. Originality/value: This article extends knowledge of experiential learning in IPs context.

Developing a framework for using local knowledge systems to enhance capacity building in agricultural development

“…Participatory approaches have been successfully used for an array of agricultural development challenges, including scaling of agricultural innovations (Wigboldus et al, 2016), restoring forests (McLain et al, 2021), addressing water insecurity (Quentin Grafton, 2017), capacity building of farmers (Ochago et al, 2023), and developing sustainable agri-food value chains (Pancino et al, 2019). Some noted weaknesses in participatory approaches include power dynamics among participants, ineffective training to implement participatory methods, and unclear/ill-defined goals for the program (Grenier, 1998).…”

Linking value chain partnerships to entrepreneurial learning: implications for agrifood systems resilience

“…Third, and perhaps more fundamentally, while contributing to the debate on the drivers of entrepreneurial behaviour, this thesis simultaneously advances the view that entrepreneurial behaviour can be fostered among individuals (Minniti & Bygrave, 2001). A growing body of literature attempts to explain how entrepreneurship can be fostered in different contexts through training (Bergevoet et al, 2007;Lourenço et al, 2014), experience (Lans et al, 2004;Ochago et al, 2021) and interaction (Hinrichs et al, 2004) learning. Relative to these studies, this thesis extends knowledge on learning in VCPs (Inkpen & Tsang, 2007) and, more specifically on the development of entrepreneurial behaviours (Foss et al, 2008;Milanov & Fernhaber, 2014;Jiang et al, 2016) include them.…”

“…EL has been defined as the process through which experiences are transformed into new knowledge (Politis, 2005). The use of EL perspective to understand how individuals develop new competences and behaviours within and outside the organisation context has gained prominence in recent years (Corbett, 2005;Lans et al, 2008;Ochago et al, 2021). Building upon this perspective, this thesis explores the extent to which VCPs offer 'space' for EL among smallholder farmers.…”

“…Nevertheless, the extant literature has rarely analysed how strategic alliances shape necessity entrepreneurs' human capital -that is, the set of practices, competences, and 'ways of doing things' (Sutter et al, 2014;Busch & Barkema, 2020) -needed to cope with and adapt to unexpected challenges. We know that entrepreneurial practices and competences are vital to cope with unexpected challenges , and that necessity entrepreneurs like farmers can develop these capacities over time through experience (Ochago et al, 2021), interaction (Busch & Barkema, 2020), and knowledge sharing (Sutter et al, 2014). Yet, we know much less about how strategic alliances mould necessity entrepreneurs' capacities or, in other words, how they create (or fail to create) space for them to learn how to improve their livelihood resilience.…”