Farmers as agents in innovation systems. Empowering farmers for innovation through communities of practice

Dolinska, Aleksandra; D’Aquino, Patrick

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2015.11.009

Cited by 150 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Being able to depend upon the cooperative to purchase their milk regardless of how much milk is available at different times of the year and, overall, the trust that the cooperative will support their long-term objective of becoming more successful dairy farmers (see Table 5). Most important, our findings reinforce those of other researchers who have shown that the desire of smallholders to preserve their farms and local communities is not, in any way, an obstacle to adopting new innovations [23,24].…”

Section: Understanding the Role Of Income In Member Engagementsupporting

confidence: 80%

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Building Sustainable Smallholder Cooperatives in Emerging Market Economies: Findings from a Five-Year Project in Kenya

et al. 2016

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A comparative study of two smallholder dairy cooperatives in Kenya examines the question: what factors are conducive to producing sustainable smallholder cooperatives that can gain entry into the vertical value chain in liberalized post-colonial economies? The relative weight of income advantage; selective individual incentives and, social capital on maintaining member patronage are assessed within variable environmental constraints and opportunities facing different cooperatives. The methodology includes case study observation of the cooperatives during a five-year period, as well as sample surveys of members and non-members that include indicators of dairy income; reasons why farmers elect to join or not join the cooperative; and assessments of the importance of different services provided by the cooperative. The findings show how the relative weight of specific incentives for cooperative membership can vary from one environment to another within the same nation. The most important finding is that maintaining sustainable smallholder cooperatives within an increasingly competitive environment depends on the ability of managers to create business strategies that are compatible with the cooperative's environmental constraints but, at the same time, incentivize members' patronage.

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Section: Understanding the Role Of Income In Member Engagementsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…In this case, "communities of practice" created practical opportunities for peer learning of ways to improve smallholders' farming practices [24].…”

Section: Selective Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building Sustainable Smallholder Cooperatives in Emerging Market Economies: Findings from a Five-Year Project in Kenya

et al. 2016

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“…universities, non-profit organisations, governmental institutions) who bring additional knowledge and advice. Such an opening of the group may even be determinant in its ability to reach its objectives (Dolinska and d'Aquino, 2016). Indeed, farming is intrinsically linked to processing, marketing, distribution and consumption, but also for example to biodiversity conservation, water provisioning, inhabiting, which make complex any process of changes (i.e.…”

Section: When Farmers Trigger Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Hatt

Boeraeve

Artru

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

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Spatial diversification of crop and non-crop habitats in farming systems is promising for enhancing natural regulation of insect pests. Nevertheless, results from recent syntheses show variable effects.One explanation is that the abundance and diversity of pests and natural enemies are affected by the composition, design and management of crop and non-crop habitats. Moreover, interactions between both local and landscape elements and practices carried out at different spatial scales may affect the regulation of insect pests. Hence, research is being conducted to understand these interdependencies.However, insects are not the only pests and pests are not the only elements to regulate in agroecosystems. Broadening the scope could allow addressing multiple issues simultaneously, but also solving them together by enhancing synergies. Indeed, spatial diversification of crop and non-crop habitats can allow addressing the issues of weeds and pathogens, along with being beneficial to several other regulating services like pollination, soil conservation and nutrient cycling. Although calls rise to develop multifunctional landscapes that optimize the delivery of multiple ecosystem services, it still represents a scientific challenge today. Enhancing interdisciplinarity in research institutions and building interrelations between scientists and stakeholders may help reach this goal. Despite obstacles, positive results from research based on such innovative approaches are encouraging for engaging 2 science in this path. Hence, the aim of the present paper is to offer an update on these issues by exploring the most recent findings and discussing these results to highlight needs for future research.

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“…Tout d'abord, des diagnostics rigoureux de ces dynamiques pourraient être systématiquement encouragés au démarrage de toute intervention externe, en veillant à y associer les acteurs locaux eux-mêmes. Au-delà des diagnostics, les interventions R&D pourraient s'inspirer des processus d'innovation locale et les renforcer (Dolinska et d'Aquino, 2016 ;Waters-Bayer et al, 2015). Une approche hybride combinant les avantages de l'innovation locale et de l'innovation orchestrée augmenterait probablement les chances de réussite, d'institutionnalisation et de changement d'échelle : elle bénéficierait en effet d'un processus bien enraciné sur le plan social chez les partenaires locaux, plutôt que d'essayer d'en faire émerger un ex nihilo, ce qui est fréquemment une entreprise lente et incertaine (cf.…”

Section: Reconnaître Favoriser Et Renforcer L'innovation Localeunclassified

Mieux évaluer et accompagner l’innovation agricole en Afrique. Leçons d’une analyse transversale de 13 cas d’études

et al. 2016

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Résumé -Cet article présente les résultats clés tirés de l'analyse transversale de 13 expériences d'innovation agricole menées au Bénin, au Kenya et en Afrique du Sud. L'évaluation a utilisé un cadre analytique commun inspiré de l'approche systèmes d'innovation pour comprendre comment l'innovation a évolué au fil du temps via les interactions entre différents acteurs et sous l'effet d'éléments déclencheurs et moteurs internes et externes. Menée de manière participative par des équipes mixtes de chercheurs, d'étudiants et d'acteurs locaux, elle s'est fondée sur des entretiens semi-structurés, des focus groupes et des ateliers multi-acteurs. Les 13 cas portent sur une diversité d'expériences en termes de domaines, types, échelles, durée, initiateurs de l'innovation et acteurs concernés. Les résultats montrent la multiplicité et le rôle des acteurs impliqués dans l'innovation, la nature des déclencheurs et moteurs de l'innovation. Ils montrent aussi l'importance de la prise en compte du temps long pour comprendre les processus d'innovation. Ils montrent enfin l'influence tant positive que parfois problématique des interventions externes sur les processus d'innovation, et en particulier les difficultés à institutionnaliser l'innovation au-delà des interventions ou à interagir avec les dynamiques locales d'innovation. L'article propose diverses voies pour améliorer tant l'évaluation que l'accompagnement des processus d'innovation. Cela concerne en particulier la conception et le financement des interventions externes. Cela concerne aussi l'acquisition des compétences et capacités indispensables à la mise en oeuvre dans la durée d'approches ouvertes et souples de conception, renforçant chaque fois que possible les initiatives existantes des acteurs locaux. Mots clés : systèmes d'innovation / analyse comparative / intervention externe / innovation orchestrée / innovation locale / pas de tempsAbstract -Better assessing and supporting agricultural innovation in Africa. Lessons from a crossanalysis of 13 case studies. This paper presents insights gained from a cross-analysis of 13 agricultural innovation experiences in three African countries (Benin, Kenya and South Africa). The participatory assessment was conducted with a common analytical framework and inspired by the agricultural innovation system (AIS) perspective and focused on understanding how innovation unfolded over time as a result of diverse triggers and drivers under the influence of a diversity of stakeholders. Conducted by teams involving researchers, students and local stakeholders, the assessment involved semi-structured interviews, focusgroup discussions and multi-stakeholder workshops. The cases cover a wide diversity of experiences in terms of types and domains, scales, timelines, initiators of innovation and stakeholders involved. Findings show the diversity of stakeholders engaged in innovation, and the nature of the innovation triggers and drivers. They also show the importance of taking into account a longer-term perspective (one or several decades...

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Farmers as agents in innovation systems. Empowering farmers for innovation through communities of practice

Cited by 150 publications

References 36 publications

Building Sustainable Smallholder Cooperatives in Emerging Market Economies: Findings from a Five-Year Project in Kenya

Building Sustainable Smallholder Cooperatives in Emerging Market Economies: Findings from a Five-Year Project in Kenya

Spatial diversification of agroecosystems to enhance biological control and other regulating services: An agroecological perspective

Mieux évaluer et accompagner l’innovation agricole en Afrique. Leçons d’une analyse transversale de 13 cas d’études

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