Assessment of Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) – a contribution to develop STI roadmaps for SDGs

This policy brief presents a methodology for assessing agricultural innovation systems (AIS), developed and pilot tested by  the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the context of the Tropical Agriculture Platform, a G20 initiative to develop capacities for agricultural innovation in the tropics supported by the European Union. Using participatory, multi-stakeholder methods and tools, the assessment of a country’s AIS take stock of enabling and hindering factors in innovation processes, identifies gaps and challenges, and advices on ways to strengthen the AIS. An assessment provides evidence required for good decisions on policies, strategies and investments in the agriculture and food sector. Agriculture being a key sector, such results should be integrated into national Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)  roadmaps for Sustainable Development Goals.