This article presents lessons from the rich adoption literature for the nascent research on adaptation. Individuals' adoption choices are affected by profit and risk considerations and by credit and biophysical constraints. New technologies spread gradually, reflecting heterogeneity among potential adopters, processes of learning and technological improvement, and policies and institutions. Adaptation is the response of economic agents and societies to major shocks. We distinguish between reactive and proactive adaptation.
This book chapter reviews the literature on agricultural innovation, with the threefold goal of (1) sketching the evolution of systemic approaches to agricultural innovation and unravelling the different interpretations; (2) assessing key factors for innovation system performance and demonstrating the use of system thinking in the facilitation of processes of agricultural innovation by means of innovation brokers and reflexive process monitoring; and (3) formulating an agenda for future research.
This thematic note discusses the role of innovation brokers in bridging communication gaps between various actors of innovation systems. On the basis of recent experience in the Netherlands, it outlines the success of brokers in finding solutions adapted to the needs of farmers and industry, and thus their positive impact on innovation adoption. This section also examines some issues on how brokers function, particularly with regard to balancing interests, funding their activities, and the role of government.
This is a discussion of the processes that led Unilever to develop and implement a corporate sustainability strategy working with multiple stakeholders.
The process of knowledge brokering in the agricultural sector, where it is generally called agricultural extension, has been studied since the 1950s. While agricultural extension initially employed research push models, it gradually moved towards research pull and collaborative research models. The current agricultural innovation systems perspective goes beyond seeing research as the main input to change and innovation, and recognises that innovation emerges from the complex interactions among multiple actors and is about fostering combined technical, social and institutional change.
Global climate change and food security are complex and closely intertwined challenges. A key requirement for dealing with them successfully is that agriculture becomes more eco-efficient. As researchers work toward this goal, they must always ask, “Efficiency for whom?” Finding answers to this question requires that research be conducted from a systems perspective in a broadly participatory manner involving complex collaborative arrangements.
Ce rapport final dresse le bilan des activités scientifiques engagées dans le cadre du projet Adap’Terr « L’adaptation au changement climatique : les défis d’une approche intégrée pour les territoires ? ». Ce volume de synthèse, présentant les principaux résultats, s’organise en trois parties. Une première partie précise certaines questions que posent pour l’aménagement et l’urbanisme l’action climatique locale, afin de développer un cadre conceptuel en mesure d’analyser les initiatives locales face au « problème climat ».
Le Programme 2012-2013 de l’Initiative 3N vise à :
- Accroître et diversifier les productions agro-sylvo-pastorales et halieutiques pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle des populations nigériennes;
- Augmenter les revenus des producteurs et des acteurs des filières agricoles par l’amélioration de la conservation, la transformation et la commercialisation des produits agro-alimentaires ;
- Améliorer les capacités nationales de prévention et de gestion des crises et catastrophes et la résilience des populations vulnérables.
Building on shared experiences, experiments and knowledge acquired by farmers in Peru, this methodological guide includes a detailed section on the steps required to set up an FFS and its methodology and a second section on FFS for cacao cultivation in the different phenological stages. The document presents various diagnostic tools such as community and main cultivation mapping, ballot box, cultivation plans, such as matrix and cultivation cycle to analyse problems. The AESA is adapted to cacao production and includes a comparison of conventional and learning farm plots.
The proposed timeframe for the curriculum is three years. This guide aims to provide the elements required to apply the FFS methodology by employing a comprehensive farm management approach. The innovative perspective of this guide motivates learning beyond one crop and encourages understanding of the farm as a system. Diagnostic tools address the productive status of the various components of the farm and utilizes a planning matrix and future mapping.