LEARNING TO EXPORT: BUILDING FARMERS' CAPABILITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS IN KENYA'S FLOWER INDUSTRY

N° ISBN - 978-2-7380-1284-5International audienceThe participation of the smallholder farmers (growing summer flowers) has been minimal and on the decline and in sharp contrast to the overall upward growth in volume, value and acreage of cut flowers in Kenya – largely from large scale growers. In order to improve the participation of smallholder farmers, the government of Kenya is promoting ‘farmer – exporter' partnerships to enable smallholder farmers access export markets as well as access inputs and knowledge for growing and exporting cut flowers. This paper uses data from a recent case study conducted in 2008/2009 to explore the role of ‘farmer – exporter' partnerships in building the capabilities of smallholder farmers. It argues that for sustainability, these partnerships should focus beyond the market access problem and embrace the broader goal of building the capabilities of smallholder farmers to innovate and respond to their ever changing contexts. The study is underpinned by the innovation systems literature but also draws from value chain analysis and supply chain management concepts and uses a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods in examining the role of partnerships in building capabilities. The study finds that whereas the partnerships have achieved the market access objective, smallholder farmers are “lockedin” in performing routine production functions but “locked-out” of value addition activities that are likely to undermine exporters' interests. The terms of contracts further entrench this “lock in – lock out” relationship

Partnerships for learning and innovation in agri-export industries: A case study of farmer-exporter partnerships in Kenya's flower industry

This study examines the role of partnerships, institutions and governance arrangements in building cut flower farmers' innovation capabilities. It interrogates whether partnerships between farmers (both small scale and large scale) with exporters contribute to building the farmers' capabilities; how the institutional (contractual versus non-contractual) and governance patterns (captive versus relational) influence the ability of such partnerships to enhance farmers' capabilities and the role of other actors (research institutes, universities, regulatory agencies, input suppliers and NGOs) in supporting these partnerships and contributing to building farmer capabilities. This focus was motivated by the declining performance of small scale farmers in Kenya and the fact that small scale farmers appear to be excluded from high value cut flower export business. Whereas this exclusion is often explained in terms of limited access to capital; infrastructure and stringent market standards and regulations, this thesis takes the view that (besides these factors) exclusion of small scale farmers results from choices that different actors make about enhancing farmers' capabilities to innovate, as well as the policy and institutional environment that underpins and reinforces such choices. The study follows largely a case study approach and employs different methods including structured surveys; in-depth interviews and ethnography. Our findings show that even though farmers' production capabilities have benefitted from their partnerships with exporters, value addition capabilities have only improved modestly and remain a key challenge to small scale farmers. Similarly, marketing is dependent on knowledge and information passed on by the exporters. Secondly, the findings further show that interactions between farmers and R&D actors are undermined largely by the structural, cultural and operational procedures of the R&D institutes and universities. Lastly, the study finds that institutions, power dynamics and governance patterns are the key determinants influencing the opportunities for interactions, learning and innovation within these partnerships

Strengthening research : industry collaborations in Africa

The paper presents evidence of opportunities, successes and challenges of technology transfer and commercialization using contemporary case studies derived from different countries. It distils lessons from a continental initiative – the Science Granting Council Initiative’s Annual Forums. It argues that, from a social welfare perspective, government intervention may be justified in cases where profit-driven, private actors underperform in the generation of science, technology and innovation (STI) knowledge that could benefit society. Government intervention could help correct market failures associated with the “public good” aspect of knowledge creation. New platforms for innovation dialogue are encouraged

Influencing policy change : a training and reference manual

This manual for researchers and policy development emphasizes (i) Key concepts and principles of policymaking – including evidence, conflicts, processes and terminologies; (ii) Instruments and tools of influence; (iii) Strategies for designing and writing effective policy briefs; and (iv) Debates surrounding policy influence such as the role of the media, gender roles, politics and advocacy. Where strong linkages exist between researchers and policy actors, these are more likely to promote evidence-based policies and create a policy environment that supports and facilitates innovation. The course employs mixed methods, including interactive lectures, individual assignments, group work sessions, plenary Q&A sessions, guest lectures, and multimedia presentations

Strengthening research : industry linkages in Africa : summary report and key recommendations

This paper highlights key issues affecting technology transfer and research commercialization in Africa including: platforms for interactive dialogue with the private sector; funding for research and innovation; innovation and commercialization infrastructure; skills and capacities in intellectual property management, technology transfer and commercialization; communication strategies and monitoring frameworks, and the need for policy, regulatory and institutional reforms. The overall goal is to enhance the capacities of the science granting councils (SGCs) to foster greater knowledge exchange between public sector research organizations with the private sector. Key recommendations include the creation of platforms for dialogues between research and industry, and innovative funding mechanisms

Issues in the political economy of agricultural biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology is typically analyzed critically by means of a political ecological focus on the science and its ecological implications - agbio science as a radical, and 'non-natural', break with 'normal' trajectories for 'new plant science'. Surprisingly, less attention has been paid to a range of key political economic issues, many of which were important in the last big food production technology 'revolution', the Green Revolution. This paper will focus on three areas of political economy. First, we discuss the corporate drivers of agricultural biotechnology, and examine whether these drivers have already set the technology so that it cannot be changed. Second, we investigate the present economics and technology of genetic modification in plants, and its possible future. Third, we examine empirical evidence for alternative visions of the technology

Developing a social and behaviour change (SBC) and advocacy strategy for science granting councils (SGCs) in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) : a localization guide

The goal of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) is to strengthen the capacities of the Science Granting Councils in sub-Saharan Africa to manage research, design and monitor research programs, and formulate and implement evidence-based policies. A Facilitation Guide for developing a Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Communication and Advocacy Strategy for Science Granting Councils is meant to direct users through steps that will lead to developing a National SBC&A strategy for each respective SGC. This paper outlines goals and tasks for developing the Facilitation Guide and SBC Strategy, drawing from current research models, communication strategies, knowledge management approaches and activities

Knowledge management strategy for SGCs

Knowledge management (KM) strategy guides the coordinating role that Science Granting Councils (SGC) play in ensuring that knowledge management systems are operating optimally. This includes ensuring that financial resources are leveraged, and that a well-understood regulatory framework exists to create a conducive environment for research. SGCs also coordinate the dissemination of research so that findings can be used in decision making and policy formulation. KM strategy is operationalized in the Social and Behavior Change Communication Strategy. This draft document reviews Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) operations, recommendations and goals

Strategy to mainstream gender and social inclusion in science granting councils in Sub-Sahara Africa

A review of literature on the average financing for research and development (R&D) in African countries is about 0.5% of GDP. The recommended target is 1% of GDP for Science Granting Councils (SGC). By this estimate all SGCs in Africa are underfunded. In contrast, data reveals that funding for research in OECD countries ranged between 1 – 4% of GDP. However, over two-thirds of African countries have Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policies and strategies to increase research commitments from national governments. With regard to gender and social inclusion, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Science Granting Councils (SGC) are gradually transitioning towards the status of those in OECD countries

Review of current literature on communications, knowledge and gap analysis

This integrative literature review critiques and synthesizes secondary data from the Science Granting Councils (SGC) and Collaborating Technical Agencies (CTAs) on communication and knowledge management best practices, and works to identify gaps and needs. Capacity building needs are summarized in a table of 13 countries. Inadequate and non-sustainable public funding of science is a challenge in most sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries mainly due to the low rate of R&D investment (excepting South Africa). Engagement with the private sector was seen as a core communication activity that requires a buy-in from the private sector to increase or embrace research funding