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Innovation Systems Approach: Implications

for Agricultural Education and Research

Learning Agrobiodiversity: Options for Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa

21 – 23 January 2000

Judith FrancisSenior Programme Coordinator

S&T Strategies, CTA

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Presentation Outline

ACP Ag Performance

Innovation System - the context

Knowledge & learning theoriesNeed for innovation

Innovation Systems Approach

Conclusions

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Agricultural Performance -Agriculture contribution to

GDP (%)

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

1979-81 1999-01 2005

Southern Africa

Centra l Africa

West Africa

Eastern Africa

Caribbean

Pacifi c

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The Context – Innovation Systems (IS)

Innovation is the application of knowledge (old or new) to bring new products/processes/services into social and economic use

Innovation is not invention nor technology development but an interactive, evolutionary, cumulative process - continuous learning /searching

Innovation is embedded in the political, social, economic, organizational and institutional context

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The Context – Innovation Systems (IS)

Access to information, knowledge & resources influence innovation

Strong innovation systems promote diversity & facilitate continuous improvement at individual, organizational & institutional level in support of economic and social development

ST&I capacity building is important for effective performance of innovation systems focussing on:

Capacity to produce, diffuse, absorb and use new knowledgeCapacity to acquire, diffuse, absorb and use existing knowledge

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The Context – Innovation Systems (IS)

Universities and colleges should be at the forefront of innovation but are not the only actors in the innovation system

Other system actors include: enterprises, commodity associations, standard setting bodies, R&D organizations, extension, training centres, policy makers and financial service providers among others

Innovation Systems approach - framework for analysis of /understanding innovation

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Knowledge & Learning Theories

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New knowledge is created and needed throughout the whole economy

Knowledge is not only created through formal education/research/science

Indigenous / traditional knowledge Knowledge is gained from experiences (tacit) Learning also occurs through

Accessing/using knowledge Communicating/internalizing Improving practices

Knowledge & Learning Theories

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Knowledge & Learning Theories

money knowledge

Capacity to create (or absorb) knowledge

Capacity to apply and exploit knowledge

Pushing the scientific frontier increasingly difficult producing new knowledge is becoming increasingly costly, requiring collaboration and networking. Life-long learning skills are also needed

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Changes in Agriculture need innovation

Technologically driven Production for food and

other industries Many purchased inputs Organized markets and

longer transits

Over time agriculture has developed strong forward and backward linkages with industry with roles in ecosystem services, health and recreation

Leads to need for new innovation patterns and processes (more interactions among actors and with the rest of the economy)

Traditional methods Production mainly for

immediate consumption Few purchased inputs Markets close to source of

production

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Innovation Systems Approach A conceptual framework for understanding

innovation Processes Determinants (e.g. role of knowledge

infrastructure; universities, research labs, IPR offices, libraries)

Consequences / outcomes

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Innovation Systems Approach Evaluating the innovation system for education

and research in agrobiodiversity

Overview of the sector & the policy environment

Key actor inventory & linkage mapping

Assessment of habits, practices, competencies and performance

Assessment of key functions

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Innovation Systems Approach Key Characteristics

Innovation and learning at the centre Holistic and interdisciplinary Historical perspective Differences between systems Interdependence and interaction – relationships Organizational innovations Institutions Conceptually diffuse Conceptual in nature – not a formal theory

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Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies

CountriesCommodity for Diversification

Export Commodity under threat

Commodity for Food Security

Cameroon Cocoa Cassava

The Gambia NERICA rice

Ghana Plantain

Grenada Nutmeg

Jamaica Ginger & Mango Sugar

Kenya Floriculture

Malawi Maize

Papua New Guinea Rice Banana

Senegal Rice

St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Banana

Tanzania Banana

Samoa & TuvaluNoni (Morinda citrifolia)

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Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies

Market / Demand Banana traders & ConsumersAlele, Green Fresh, Boroko

Food World, University & Army Messes

g

EnterprisesSmall banana growers

PAU (commercial)Adele & Green FreshBoroko Food World,

Anderson Foodland & other supermarkets (food

stores)Chemica, Farmset, Brian

BellBoroko Motors

Diffusion

DALProvincial DPIs

City Mission & Hope Worldwide (NGOs)

FPDA

Research & Training:

NARITrukai Industries

UnitechVudal University

JICAROC

Infrastructure DAL, DNPRD,RDB, NAQIA, PNG –IPO,

ACIAR, Communication, transport, Water, Electricity

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Innovation Systems Approach– ASTI Case StudiesInfrastructure PNG – Rice Jamaica -

gingerGrenada - nutmeg

Tanzania - banana

Malawi - maize

Government incentives for innovation

Weak Weak Weak Weak Average

Scientific / skilled manpower

Weak Average Weak Weak Average

Competence of local universities

Weak Weak Weak Weak Average

Competence of R&D org Average Average Weak Very Weak Weak

Intellectual Property Rights

Weak Weak Weak Very Weak Weak

Venture Capital Very Weak Weak Weak Very Weak Weak

Quality of ICT services Weak Strong Average Weak Weak

State of Power Average Strong Average Weak Weak

State of water supply Average Average Average Weak Weak

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Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies

Actor Linkage

Intensity

Jamaica – Ginger & mango

Cameroon – cassava & cocoa

Senegal - rice

Public research - enterprise

Weak Average Average - strong

Public research – extension/diffusion

Average Average Average - strong

University - enterprise Weak Weak - Average None - Weak

National – international research

Weak - Average Strong Strong

Extension / diffusion – Enterprise

Average Average Average - strong

Enterprise - enterprise

Strong Strong Very strong

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Innovation Systems Approach -Implications for Agricultural Education & Research Need for continuous innovation in

agricultural education and research to meet the demands of various stakeholders

Need to be forward thinking – proactive (pioneering) and responsive (curricula need enough flexibility to embrace change)

Create knowledge & build capacity to learn, think, anticipate, act, innovate

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Conclusions

Innovation systems approach is relevant to ACP agriculture (education and research)

The policy and legislative framework need to be strengthened to provide the enabling environment for science and innovation

Knowledge institutes need funding for infrastructural development to contribute to ST&I capacity building for socio-economic development

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Thank you/Merci