A 3-year project implemented in India and Nigeria addressed the issue of improving
livelihoods of poor livestock keepers by improving availability of fodder. The original
approach focused on testing of new crop varieties to be scaled up through partners using
mechanisms such as farmer-to-farmer exchange and field days. As the project evolved, it
became clearer that the systems were much more complex than originally thought with a
wide range of actors involved. Although fodder technology is obviously a requirement
to reduce fodder shortages, many of the problems are embedded in the institutions and
policies that determine how technology is developed and delivered. To help address
these issues, an innovation systems approach is proposed with a focus on building
capacity within the system
