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

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

Desk study : how research granting councils and similar organizations have approached social inclusion (process and outcomes)

The European Working Group on Empowering the Excluded (1999) explains social inclusion as the development of capacity and opportunity to play a full role in society, including economic, social, psychological and political. An intervention may focus on one or more attributes of inequity. Science Granting Councils (SGC) are advised to choose at least four Gender and Social Inclusion (GeSI) areas, with gender as a stand-alone and intersecting attribute; age, disability and geography ranking the highest. In contexts where attributes other than these four are prominent, they may be considered and discussed in addition to, but not instead of, gender, age, disability and geographic inclusion

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

‘Karibu Science’ : communication and advocacy strategy for science governing council (SGC) in Kenya

Science Granting Councils (SGC) are key players in the development of strong national Science, Technology and Innovation systems (STI) which are precursors for transformation to knowledge-based African economies. ‘Karibu Science’ strategically seeks to facilitate the entry of science into African socio-cultural, political and economic lives. The communication and advocacy strategy is positioned to move STI from its seclusion within high walled research labs, universities and libraries into the public domain. This phase of the SGC initiative works to create an environment for the uptake of research by delineating communication and advocacy objectives

Strengthening the capacity of science granting councils in intellectual property management and technology transfer

This policy brief reports on templates and guidelines that have been developed in relation to intellectual property confidentiality agreements, and IP strategies useful in research and innovation partnerships. Links are provided to the tools and manuals for use. As the Science Granting Councils (SGC) continue to position themselves to promote public-private partnerships, implement innovative financing mechanisms, and enhance research excellence, intellectual property (IP) issues have become increasingly relevant

Science granting council initiative online monitoring and evaluation system : user manual

This system works to monitor, track and report on achievement of Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) programme objectives. It can be accessed from everywhere and serves 15 council Member Country secretariats, with a real time analytics component. This manual is a “how-to” introduction to the portal, explaining dashboard navigation and user activities specifically aimed at organization administrators and coordinators, as well as how to access the training module. The dashboard of a regular user’s portal is similar, but with limited functionality

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