Innovation Platforms in Agricultural Research for Development

Abstract

SUMMARYInnovation platforms are fast becoming part of the mantra of agricultural research for development projects and programmes. Their basic tenet is that stakeholders depend on one another to achieve agricultural development outcomes, and hence need a space where they can learn, negotiate and coordinate to overcome challenges and capture opportunities through a facilitated innovation process. Although much has been written on how to implement and facilitate innovation platforms efficiently, few studies support ex-ante appraisal of when and for what purpose innovation platforms provide an appropriate mechanism for achieving development outcomes, and what kinds of human and financial resource investments and enabling environments are required. Without these insights, innovation platforms run the risk of being promoted as a panacea for all problems in the agricultural sector. This study makes clear that not all constraints will require innovation platforms and, if there is a simpler and cheaper ‡ Corresponding author.

Platform, Participation, and Power: How Dominant and Minority Stakeholders Shape Agricultural Innovation

“…We acknowledged this limitation throughout our data analysis and discussion and were careful not to generalize beyond the case study (i.e., perceptions of agricultural development stakeholders in the Yatta Sub-county in 2012). We interpreted the findings in light of recent literature on agricultural innovation platforms (e.g., [1,9,10]), a field that continues to evolve and increasingly seeks to understand how power and interest influence decision-making. We conducted an ex-ante assessment of agricultural research and innovation initiatives in Yatta Sub-county rather than an ex-post assessment of an existing innovation platform.…”

“…We discuss how these power dynamics may increase the risk of agricultural intervention, further marginalizing already disempowered groups and reinforcing power hierarchies to the detriment of smallholders. This study highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the institutional contexts that facilitate and maintain relationships of power within agricultural innovation systems, as well as the complexities associated with promoting transformational agricultural innovation.Sustainability 2020, 12, 461 2 of 21 break down barriers to the participation of small-scale farmers in platforms [9][10][11][12][13]. Agricultural innovation platforms have been defined as stakeholder linkages that are purposively created and maintained to address specific agricultural innovation challenges or opportunities [11,[14][15][16][17] within their institutional context [18].…”

“…Sustainability 2020, 12, 461 2 of 21 break down barriers to the participation of small-scale farmers in platforms [9][10][11][12][13]. Agricultural innovation platforms have been defined as stakeholder linkages that are purposively created and maintained to address specific agricultural innovation challenges or opportunities [11,[14][15][16][17] within their institutional context [18].…”

Analysis of citrus value chain in eastern Uganda

“…For instance, farmers could not distinguish the varieties of oranges grown until they started fruiting. This is a common challenge in developing countries, though elsewhere, it has been addressed through innovation platforms because they facilitate and strengthen interactions and collaboration between networks of stakeholders (Schut et al, 2015).…”

Sustaining the beneficial effects of maize production in Nigeria: Does adoption of short season maize varieties matter?

“…Sanyang et al (2016) highlighted the potentials of IPs and provided the requirements for improving the competence and skills of IPs actors in agricultural value chains, food systems and natural resource management. Schut et al (2018b) provided decision support for research, development and donors on the purposes and conditions under which IPs can contribute to agricultural development outcomes. Despite the acclaimed potentials of IPs, there is still scarce quantitative evidence in the literature to show the status of adoption and causal effects of short-season maize varieties promoted via IPs.…”