Proximity and Innovation: A Critical Assessment

Unravelling the role of innovation platforms in supporting co-evolution of innovation: Contributions and tensions in a smallholder dairy development programme

Innovation Platforms (IPs) are seen as a promising vehicle to foster a paradigm shift in agricultural research for development (AR4D). By facilitating interaction, negotiation and collective action between farmers, researchers and other stakeholders, IPs can contribute to more integrated, systemic innovation that is essential for achieving agricultural development impacts. However, successful implementation of IPs requires institutional change within AR4D establishments. The objective of this paper is to reflect on the implementation and institutionalisation of IPs in present AR4D programmes. We use experiences from sub-Saharan Africa to demonstrate how the adoption and adaptation of IPs creates both opportunities and challenges that influence platform performance and impact. Niche-regime theory is used to understand challenges, and anticipate on how to deal with them. A key concern is whether IPs in AR4D challenge or reinforce existing technology-oriented agricultural innovation paradigms. For example, stakeholder representation, facilitation and institutional embedding determine to a large extent whether the IP can strengthen systemic capacity to innovate that can lead to real paradigm change, or are merely ‘old wine in new bottles’ and a continuation of ‘business as usual’. Institutional embedding of IPs and – more broadly – the transition from technology-oriented to system-oriented AR4D approaches requires structural changes in organisational mandates, incentives, procedures and funding, as well as investments in exchange of experiences, learning and capacity development.

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Innovation platforms: experiences with their institutional embedding in agricultural research for development

Purpose




The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to take stock of the current state of knowledge about inclusive value-chain development (VCD) in the context of international agricultural research; and second, to draw out the implications for future research and action.




Design/methodology/approach




This paper is based on a review of recent research papers authored by professionals affiliated with international agricultural research centers and their partners in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.




Findings




The studies reviewed in the paper identify the opportunities emerging from new and expanding markets for agricultural products and challenges to smallholder participation in these markets. It identifies key attributes of successful value-chain interventions, emphasizing the importance of combining value-chain approaches with other approaches, including those emerging from innovation systems and rural livelihoods frameworks. Methods are offered for evaluating complex value-chain interventions.




Research limitations/implications




The paper summarizes the state of knowledge as of early 2016 in a dynamic field. Important contributions to knowledge may have been made since then.




Originality/value




The paper summarizes the state of knowledge in the field, and identifies emerging issues and policy implications, knowledge gaps, and priorities for future applied research.

/pdf/agricultural-innovation-and-inclusive-value-chain-29wrtdg25u.pdf

Agricultural innovation and inclusive value-chain development: a review

https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/190742/1/1041109792.pdf

Exploring market orientation, innovation, and financial performance in agricultural value chains in emerging economies

Chapter 5 (Ayele et al.) analyzes the strategies and results of programs hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to improve farmers’ welfare in Ethiopia, Syria, and Vietnam by integrating fodder production into their livestock systems. While fodder was an entry point for the innovation process, major improvements required that broader value-chain issues be addressed in a more holistic manner. The authors highlight the value of a national innovation policy and of government support for improving livestock farmers’ access to agricultural services, including credit and technological support.

Enhancing innovation in livestock value chains through networks: Lessons from fodder innovation case studies in developing countries

Fodder scarcity is a perennial problem for many smallholder farmers in developing countries. This paper discusses how fodder technologies and knowledge have been introduced and integrated in diverse livestock production systems in Ethiopia, Syria and Vietnam. A synthesis of lessons learnt shows that fodder innovation is triggered and diffused by actors interacting and learning in networks, and on farms. Fodder innovation, being only one element of livestock value chains, is sustainably enhanced when linked to other innovations and market-oriented activities that optimize productivity gains. Yet innovating smallholder farmers face systemic constraints to access markets, and need to organize in groups to exploit opportunities. The paper concludes that rather than treating innovation systems and value chain approaches to agricultural development as separate tools, the integration of their complementary features enhances smallholders’ innovation and market success.

This research describes and analyses how smallholder crop livestock farmers in rural Ea Kar, Vietnam, were able to take advantage of the rising demand for meat in urban centres and transform cattle production from a traditional, extensive grazing system to a more intensive, stall-fed system that supplied quality meat to urban markets. The traditional grazing system produced low-quality animals that could only be sold for local consumption. Introduction of the concept of farm-grown fodder production enabled farmers to produce fatter animals, achieving higher sale prices, and reduce labour inputs by moving from grazing to stall-feeding. These benefits convinced farmers, traders and local government that smallholder cattle production could be a viable enterprise and so stimulated stakeholder interest. Within 10 years, the way that cattle were produced and marketed changed considerably. By 2010, more than 3,000 smallholders had adopted farm-grown forages and stall-feeding, and many produced high-quality beef ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14735903.2013.779074

Transformation of smallholder beef cattle production in Vietnam

4.1 Cattle production systems in Ea Kar 5 4.2 Cattle breeds used in the different cattle production systems 5 4.3 Stakeholders 6 4.4 Market chains for beef cattle from Ea Kar 7 4.4.1 Extensive cow-calf farmers’ market chain 7 4.4.2 Intensive cow-calf farmers’ market chain 8 4.4.3 Cattle fattening farmers’ market chain 8 4.4.4 The market chain drawn by the trader group 9 4.5 Supply trends 11 4.6 Demand trends 12 5 Discussion 14

Truong Tan Khanh

Papers

Enhancing innovation in livestock value chains through networks: Lessons from fodder innovation case studies in developing countries

Enhancing innovation in livestock value chains through networks: Lessons from fodder innovation case studies in developing countries

Transformation of smallholder beef cattle production in Vietnam

Assessment of cattle marketing in Ea Kar district, Daklak, Vietnam in 2008

Scoping study on pig value chains in Dak Lak and Dak Nong, Vietnam