A conceptual framework to evaluate the impact of innovation platforms on agrifood value chains development

Innovation platforms are equitable, dynamic spaces designed to bring heterogeneous actors together to exchange knowledge and take action to solve a common problem. Although innovation platforms are being set up to attain collectively defined development objectives, there are limited methods and tools available using quantitative data to evaluate whether they are effective. This paper elaborates a conceptual framework based on elements from new institutional economics and marketing relationship management to model the impact pathways within innovation platforms and how they contribute to attaining the objectives of the rural communities involved. The paper also proposes a field research protocol based on focus group discussions, semi-directive interviews of key stakeholders associated with the innovation platforms and individual surveys of platform members. The data collected is both qualitative and quantitative in nature allowing useful triangulation to test the model. Successive empirical tests of the model in different contexts should allow long-term strengthening and field validation of the conceptual framework

Identification and analysis of smallholder producers’ constraints: Applications to Tanzania and Uganda

‘The Version of Record of this manuscript has been published and is freely available in Development in Practice 2015 http://www.tandfonline.com/ http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2015.1007924’This article puts forward a method for the analysis of constraints faced by developing countries’ smallholder producers. It is consistent with theories of constraints, efficient in terms of cost and researchers’ time, and accessible to a non-technical audience. A hybrid of workshop discussion and individual data collection, it also draws on data and analyses available in most developing countries. The article presents an application to smallholder livestock systems in Tanzania and Uganda, reporting results and analysis relating constraints to households’ characteristics and conditions, and their stated goals. While limitations are identified, it is proposed for application in other development fields