United States Agency for International Developmen

Chikowo, Regis

Ngulu, F.

Okori, P.

CGSpace

Operationalizing R4D and Innovation Platforms in East and Southern AfricaNgulu F. (IITA), Okori P. (ICRISAT), Chikowo R. (MSU)Key messagesResearch for development and innovation platforms bring together various research and development partners for synergy, in identifying barriers and constraints to adoption of agricultural technologies and practices.  Platforms are responsive to small holder farmers’ changing needs through network building, social learning and conflict management; thus an appropriate tool for fostering demand driven research and innovations. While R4D platforms promote technological, social and institutional changes simultaneously at systems level, innovation platforms focus more on context –specific issues and involve a narrower range of stakeholders in response to farmers needs ,such as resolving challenges along a specified commodity value chain.This poster is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. January 2017We thank farmers and local partners in Africa RISING sites for their contributions to this research. We also acknowledge the support of all donors which globally support the work of the CGIAR centers and their partners through their contributions to the CGIAR systemObjectives and approachAfrica RISING program is about increased agricultural productivity, enhanced food security, nutrition, income and conservation of natural resource base, through sustainable agricultural intensification; but its operational time frame is limited. This shortfall calls for an innovative approach that can effectively stimulate sustainable adoption beyond A-R lifespan. Research for development platforms (R4D) and innovation platforms are considered to be suited to play this role (Sidi et, al, 2015, Leeuwis, et al, 2014, Hillbur et al, 2015). Platforms are responsive to complexities surrounding technology uptake as influenced by farmer typologies under diverse agro ecologies, social–cultural networks, information access and institutional factors.Key resultsBabati district: Formed a strategic platform at district level (JUMBA) under the district council but managed by an executive committee composed of key stakeholder categories; drew a constitution and identified priority areas for immediate actionKongwa /Kiteto districts: The Kongwa-Kiteto innovation platform brings together multi-stakeholders to jointly identify problems, device solutions, implement R4D agenda and evaluate progress and outcomes of R4D investments. It focuses on maize, groundnuts and pigeonpea as the priority value chains. The platform has been operational for three years. To date, research priorities for the target crops, and livestock and the partnerships needed for research to delivery, have been formed. Meetings with district policy agencies have been held to inform scaling-up efforts.Malawi: The Malawi R4D platforms are were formed around the District Agriculture Coordinating Committee (DAECC) , a coordinating structure of all agricultural activities in the district. Members are drawn from  heads of different NGOs, agricultural technical departments and agro-dealers. Africa RISING provides technical backstopping to this diverse group, that has resulted in successful interfacing of development partners and researchers. The R4D platform successfully organized field trips to Africa RISING research.Significance and scaling potentialAfrica RISING has validated a number of impact based/tailored integrated technologies for scaling out. Platforms do link a range of organizational actors that can promote the simultaneous technological, social and institutional changes needed for sustainable technology uptake under sustainable intensification.Photo C. Platform members visiting an Africa RISING research site in Linthipe , February 2016Photo b. Platform members engage in discussions to inform Phase II of Africa Rising R4D activities and share lessons learnt. Dodoma, September 2016. (Photo credit: Patrick Okori)Photo a. JUMBA members participate in discussion on research outputs of vegetable theme during the General Meeting in Babati.  November 2016. (Photo credit :Gloriana Ndibalema/IITA)Partners

Operationalizing R4D and innovation platforms in East and Southern Africa

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Operationalizing R4D and innovation platforms in East and Southern Africa

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