This study aimed at conducting a semi-participatory assessment of simple biomass carbonization techniques and available feedstocks and measured the agronomic benefits for urban vegetable farmers in Tamale, Ghana, where urban horticulture is an important component of the local economy. The paper objectives were firstly to evaluate the potential of on-farm biochar production from crop residues and secondly to investigate the relevance of this technology to farmers’ economic realities
In agricultural-dependent economies, extension programmes have been the main conduit for disseminating information on farm technologies, support rural adult learning and assist farmers in developing their farm technical and managerial skills. It is expected that extension programmes will help increase farm productivity, farm revenue, reduce poverty and minimize food insecurity.
This article examines the meaning, practices and potentials of ‘transformative agroecology learning’ as a collective strategy for food system transformation. Our study is based on our qualitative and action research with the European Coordination of Via Campesina to develop the European Agroecology Knowledge Exchange Network (EAKEN). This network is linked to the global network of La Via Campesina and builds on the strong experiences and traditions of popular education in Latin American peasant movements.
Diffusion of innovations has gained a lot of attention and concerns different scientific fields. Many studies, which examine the determining factors of technological innovations in the agricultural and agrifood sector, have been conducted using the widely used Technology Accepted Model, for a random sample of farmers or firms engaged in agricultural sector. In the present study, a holistic examination of the determining factors that affect the propensity of firms to innovate or imitate, is conducted
Recently, a new approach to extension and climate information services, namely Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) has been developed. PICSA makes use of historical climate records, participatory decision-making tools and forecasts to help farmers identify and better plan livelihood options that are suited to local climate features and farmers’ own circumstances.
Science, technology and innovation (STI) policy is shaped by persistent framings that arise from historical context. Two established frames are identified as co-existing and dominant in contemporary innovation policy discussions. The first frame is identified as beginning with a Post-World War II institutionalisation of government support for science and R&D with the presumption that this would contribute to growth and address market failure in private provision of new knowledge.
The present study aims to characterize a new type of business ventures-agtech companies. Researchers conducted 3 interviews with the owners of agtechs located in Agtech valley and then by using a quantitative approach, collected secondary data of 74 firms from the Brazilian largest agricultural technology Science Park. This article contributes to the literature by characterizing the emerging type of new technology-based ventures within the agribusiness context.
Este artículo trata el problema de los varios tipos de acciones y políticas que se pueden definir como “innovaciones estructurales” en los sistemas nacionales de innovación, prestando especial atención al caso de la transformación de las interacciones entre el sector de la ciencia pública y la industria privada. El estudio se centra en la aparición y difusión de organizaciones que definen un entorno más estable y formalizado para la colaboración y la transferencia de conocimiento entre ciencia y empresa, como los centros de investigación colaborativa (CIC).
El estudio de cadenas de valor constituye una herramienta adecuada, ya que además de detectar los llamados cuellos de botella, posibilita visualizar todas las relaciones que intervienen desde que surge el producto hasta que llega al consumidor final. Esto no sólo atañe al flujo productivo propiamente, sino abarca además un conjunto de actores que conforman el marco institucional y organizacional y por lo tanto inciden directa o indirectamente en el propio proceso de la cadena.
The main challenge in Indonesia to an innovation-led approach to increasing farm productivity and farmers’ incomes is not due to a lack of good ideas by researchers but rather the lack of effective mechanisms making these ideas available and accessible to farmers.