This paper is a reflection on a research project that defied the conventional technology transfer approach and adopted an approach based on innovation system principles to address fodder scarcity. Fodder scarcity in the project was conceptualized not as lack of technical capacity, but as lack of innovation capacity. This project tried to enhance innovation capacity by promoting appropriate configurations of stakeholders. However, translating this theory and principles into action was fraught with numerous challenges.
This paper reviews a recent donor-funded project concerning the introduction of post-harvest technology to poor hill farmers in India. Rather than conform to conventional development aid projects of either a “research” or an “interventionist” nature, it combines both approaches in a research-action program, which has more in common with a business development approach than a formal social science one. An important conclusion is that the work (and apparent success) of the project is consistent with an understanding of development that emphasizes the importance of innovation systems.
Innovation platforms (IPs) are a way of organizing multistakeholder interactions, marshalling ideas, people and resources to address challenges and opportunities embedded in complex settings. The approach has its roots in theories of complexity, the concept of innovation systems and practices of participatory action research. IPs have been widely adopted across Africa and beyond in recent years as a “must have” tool in a range of “for development” modes of agricultural research.
En este artículo se procura identificar, describir y comparar la concepción de extensión rural que guía a nivel subjetivo las prácticas de extensión de técnicos que trabajan en diez diferentes países latinoamericanos, para luego comparar estas concepciones con los modelos y lineamientos de extensión propuestos por la bibliografía. Para esto, primero se describen distintas concepciones de extensión que han tenido importancia en América Latina a lo largo de la historia, luego se presenta la metodología de investigación utilizada, presentándose por último los resultados a los que arribó
En este artículo se presentan dos líneas de trabajo. Primero tiene como objetivo contribuir a la identificación de los problemas a los que se enfrentan los extensionistas rurales que trabajan en los territorios; y, segundo, aportar a la reconstrucción y a la comprensión de las concepciones de extensión rural (ER con las que ellos enmarcan y ordenan sus prácticas cotidianas, analizando esto en el contexto de la institucionalidad del sistema de ER en Uruguay
En este estudio se realizó una investigación cuantitativa descriptiva de carácter transversal que permitió reconstruir el perfil de los extensionistas rurales que trabajan en el sistema de extensión público argentino. Para este fin se realizó una encuesta (enviada vía email) a extensionistas del INTA, ProHuerta y de la Subsecretaría de Agricultura Familiar. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el software SPSS 17.0.
The quality of rural extension and advisory services is a crucial element in fostering innovation and rural development. This article aims to clarify the concept of quality of rural extension and to develop a preliminary theoretical framework. An ample literature review was conducted in search of articles on service quality and quality of rural extension and advisory services. The first part presents the main results of the literature search on quality of extension services. The definition of quality is not universal.
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.
This paper was prepared to present at the Farmer First Revisited: 20 Years On conference at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK, December, 2007. Its focus is the challenge of strengthening agricultural innovation systems. The paper prefaces this discussion by reflecting on an apparent paradox. While agricultural innovation has never been better studied and understood, many of our ideas about innovation have failed to fundamentally change the institutional and policy setting of public and private investment intended to promote innovation for development.
La extensión rural constituye un factor clave en la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pequeños productores. Se llevó a cabo un estudio cualitativo de la problemática de extensión rural en Paraguay, con particular énfasis en el departamento de Caazapá. Para esto se realizaron entrevistas a pequeños productores, extensionistas y referentes institucionales, las cuales fueron desgrabadas y su contenido categorizado.