The purpose of this paper is to map some elements that can contribute to an IFAD strategy to stimulate and support pro-poor innovations. It is an initial or exploratory document that hopefully will add to an ongoing and necessary debate, and is not intended as a final position paper. The document is organized as follows.
There are divergent views on what capacity development might mean in relation to agricultural biotechnology. The core of this debate is whether this should involve the development of human capital and research infrastructure, or whether it should encompass a wider range of activities which also include developing the capacity to use knowledge productively. This paper uses the innovation systems concept to shed light on this discussion, arguing that it is innovation capacity rather than science and technology capacity that has to be developed.
African agriculture is currently at a crossroads, at which persistent food shortages are compounded by threats from climate change. But, as this book argues, Africa can feed itself in a generation and help contribute to global food security. To achieve this Africa has to define agriculture as a force in economic growth by: advancing scientific and technological research; investing in infrastructure; fostering higher technical training; and creating regional markets.
This article starts by describing the evolution of innovation in agricultural research and cooperation for development, including an historical overview of agricultural research for development from green revolution to the re-discover of traditional knowledge. Then the authors analyze participation in innovation processes and make a comparison of innovation systems and platforms targeting the agri-food sector in developing countries. A particular focus is reserved to the European regional networks and to the experience of the USAID Middle East Water and Livelihoods Initiative.
This paper illustrates already practiced models and strategies of high impact innovations around the world with particular respect to India. The shown examples of innovative businesses were selected based on four criteria reflecting their innovative character. Firstly, innovations need to fulfil a value for the life of people which exceeds the mere use of the product. Secondly, it requires good quality products or service for an affordable price even for lower income groups.
Agriculture remains a key and sensitive economic sector in Egypt. Given contemporary geo-political concerns that limit access to international markets, it continues to remain responsible for the production of food and
fiber needed for a growing population. Efficacy in agricultural Extension Services (AES), within the broader scope of an agricultural innovation system, has the potential to assist in the government’s mandate, and
This regional workshop was designed to strengthen the capabilities of representatives of NIFUs for analyzing the situations of their NAIS, and to use their national experiences to identify strengths, weaknesses, and threats/challenges affecting seven key areas influencing development of NAIS, namely: (i) strategy/policy, (ii) institutional aspects, (iii) stakeholders, (iv) content, (v) people, (vi) infrastructure, and (vii) financial aspects. Possible solutions for the key weaknesses and threats /challenges were defined by participants.
El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar ex-ante el efecto de un sistema de concesión de infraestructura pública sobre el costo directo de producción agrícola en una zona objeto de mejoramiento del riego. La metodología consideró la aplicación de una encuesta a potenciales beneficiarios, que recoja datos sobre su percepción, disposición a pagar y planes productivos en un nuevo escenario para el riego, contrastándolos con el impacto en el margen bruto resultante del consumo eventual de agua.
Este trabajo de investigación forma parte de un proyecto más amplio que tiene por objetivo identificar y aprovechar las posibilidades reales de conjuntar los recursos por remesas, ingresos propios de productores y las aportaciones gubernamentales para generar más organización y mayor inversión en el municipio de Hidalgo Durango. Se incluye cómo antecedente algunas características de los programas de gobierno y una gama de experiencias de aportaciones de inmigrantes en obra pública con fines filantrópicos
En este artículo se presentan resultados de una investigación llevada a cabo a empresas familiares de la región centro sur del Estado de Tlaxcala para identificar y analizar la participación que tiene la mujer en la toma de decisiones, lo anterior con la aplicación de una encuesta como instrumento para la obtención de la información bajo el tipo de transversalidad