Pico experiences in facilitating innovation platforms: Lessons for science and technology innovation systems for development Edward Chuma & Jürgen Hagmann, PICOTEAM – Institute for People, Innovation & change in Organisations

Picoteam experiences 1.Development of Innovation platforms through field implementation. 2.Competence development, couching and mentoring of Innovation platform facilitators

Innovation platform – social system The African Funeral

Innovation platform Making things work in systemic mode Breaking ideas of innovation system theory into practical and operational steps which everyone can engage Personal commitment key – personal development/personal mastery incoprated It is about a clear vision, despline to deliver, social skill to hold everyone accountable It is about governance and leadership

Facilitating Innovation platforms Why Innovation platforms Need to make the system work Failure of traditional approaches due to institutional and system failure (it is not about technology failure) “Linking“ of actors NOT enough It is about relationship of mutual accountability for delivery Knowing in detail what other actors expect and what is expected of me to make the system work.

Seed provision system - The problem Farmers expressed the need of having access to new seed varieties of maize with the following characteristics: Disease resistance Storage characteristics and taste similar to local variety Grains uniformly white in colour Early maturing

Seed provision systems - Functions Improving crop varieties suitable for smallholder farming systems R + D for varietal improvement Regulatory aspects Stakeholder linkages Preservation of bio- diversity Soil fertility aspects in seed selection Extension approaches for seed and food security Smallholder seed production systems Commercial- isation of seeds and grains Approaches to seed varietal selection

To develop a sustainable seed provision system to smallholder a stakeholder platform made up of the following Institutions/Organisations was established: 1.University of the North NDA - Directorate of genetic resources ARC-GCI Potchefstroom South African national seed organisation (SNASOR) University of the North University of Venda NPDAE agricultural colleges Eco-link Mpumalanga Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture CIMMYT - Zimbabwe ICRISAT- Zimbabwe GTZ/SADC/SSSP- Zimbabwe Seed provision systems - Role players NPDAE

ARC IARCs  CYMMIT  ICRISAT IARCs NPDAE Extension Services /ARC Seed producers Household seed security C ommercialisation SSSP/GTZ/SADC BASED NGOs ICRISAT SANSOR NDA ARC / NPDAE-Colleges Regional trial for variety selection On-station Verification/ observation trials  On-farm (FIFM) Mother-baby adaptability trials:  On-station-mothers  On-farm-babies SSSP/GTZ/SADC Internal ActorsSupporting Actors Farmer Organisations NPDAE NDA Process for Crop Variety Selection in NPDA

4. Lessons – Factors that make Innovation platforms work Facilitation competence Relevence of innovation Actors should see tangible benefits Trust between actors Clear vision Commitment of key players

It is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission! Never give up - until you have impact! Smoke and brave people always find a way out No one should leave our Universities without realising how little they know Some Wisdoms