1 Innovation Systems Approach: Implications for Agricultural Education and Research Learning Agrobiodiversity: Options for Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa 21 – 23 January 2000 Judith Francis Senior Programme Coordinator S&T Strategies, CTA

2 Presentation Outline ACP Ag Performance Innovation System - the context Knowledge & learning theories Need for innovation Innovation Systems Approach Conclusions

3 Agricultural Performance - Agriculture contribution to GDP (%)

4 The Context – Innovation Systems (IS) Innovation is the application of knowledge (old or new) to bring new products/processes/services into social and economic use Innovation is not invention nor technology development but an interactive, evolutionary, cumulative process - continuous learning /searching Innovation is embedded in the political, social, economic, organizational and institutional context

5 The Context – Innovation Systems (IS) Access to information, knowledge & resources influence innovation Strong innovation systems promote diversity & facilitate continuous improvement at individual, organizational & institutional level in support of economic and social development ST&I capacity building is important for effective performance of innovation systems focussing on: Capacity to produce, diffuse, absorb and use new knowledge Capacity to acquire, diffuse, absorb and use existing knowledge

6 The Context – Innovation Systems (IS) Universities and colleges should be at the forefront of innovation but are not the only actors in the innovation system Other system actors include: enterprises, commodity associations, standard setting bodies, R&D organizations, extension, training centres, policy makers and financial service providers among others Innovation Systems approach - framework for analysis of /understanding innovation

7 Knowledge & Learning Theories

8 New knowledge is created and needed throughout the whole economy Knowledge is not only created through formal education/research/science Indigenous / traditional knowledge Knowledge is gained from experiences (tacit) Learning also occurs through  Accessing/using knowledge  Communicating/internalizing  Improving practices Knowledge & Learning Theories

9 money knowledge Capacity to create (or absorb) knowledge Capacity to apply and exploit knowledge Pushing the scientific frontier increasingly difficult  producing new knowledge is becoming increasingly costly, requiring collaboration and networking. Life-long learning skills are also needed

10 Changes in Agriculture need innovation  Technologically driven  Production for food and other industries  Many purchased inputs  Organized markets and longer transits Over time agriculture has developed strong forward and backward linkages with industry with roles in ecosystem services, health and recreation Leads to need for new innovation patterns and processes (more interactions among actors and with the rest of the economy) Traditional methods Production mainly for immediate consumption Few purchased inputs Markets close to source of production

11 Innovation Systems Approach A conceptual framework for understanding innovation  Processes  Determinants (e.g. role of knowledge infrastructure; universities, research labs, IPR offices, libraries)  Consequences / outcomes

12 Innovation Systems Approach Evaluating the innovation system for education and research in agrobiodiversity Overview of the sector & the policy environment Key actor inventory & linkage mapping Assessment of habits, practices, competencies and performance Assessment of key functions

13 Innovation Systems Approach Key Characteristics  Innovation and learning at the centre  Holistic and interdisciplinary  Historical perspective  Differences between systems  Interdependence and interaction – relationships  Organizational innovations  Institutions  Conceptually diffuse  Conceptual in nature – not a formal theory

14 Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies Countries Commodity for Diversification Export Commodity under threat Commodity for Food Security CameroonCocoaCassava The GambiaNERICA rice GhanaPlantain GrenadaNutmeg JamaicaGinger & MangoSugar KenyaFloriculture MalawiMaize Papua New Guinea Rice Banana SenegalRice St. Vincent & The Grenadines Banana TanzaniaBanana Samoa & Tuvalu Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

15 Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies Market / Demand Banana traders & Consumers Alele, Green Fresh, Boroko Food World, University & Army Messes g Enterprises Small banana growers PAU (commercial) Adele & Green Fresh Boroko Food World, Anderson Foodland & other supermarkets (food stores) Chemica, Farmset, Brian Bell Boroko Motors Diffusion DAL Provincial DPIs City Mission & Hope Worldwide (NGOs) FPDA Research & Training: NARI Trukai Industries Unitech Vudal University JICA ROC Infrastructure DAL, DNPRD,RDB, NAQIA, PNG –IPO, ACIAR, Communication, transport, Water, Electricity

16 Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies InfrastructurePNG – RiceJamaica - ginger Grenada - nutmeg Tanzania - banana Malawi - maize Government incentives for innovation Weak Average Scientific / skilled manpower WeakAverageWeak Average Competence of local universities Weak Average Competence of R&D orgAverage WeakVery WeakWeak Intellectual Property Rights Weak Very WeakWeak Venture CapitalVery WeakWeak Very WeakWeak Quality of ICT servicesWeakStrongAverageWeak State of PowerAverageStrongAverageWeak State of water supplyAverage Weak

17 Innovation Systems Approach – ASTI Case Studies Actor Linkage Intensity Jamaica – Ginger & mango Cameroon – cassava & cocoa Senegal - rice Public research - enterprise WeakAverageAverage - strong Public research – extension/diffusion Average Average - strong University - enterpriseWeakWeak - AverageNone - Weak National – international research Weak - AverageStrong Extension / diffusion – Enterprise Average Average - strong Enterprise - enterpriseStrong Very strong

18 Innovation Systems Approach - Implications for Agricultural Education & Research Need for continuous innovation in agricultural education and research to meet the demands of various stakeholders Need to be forward thinking – proactive (pioneering) and responsive (curricula need enough flexibility to embrace change) Create knowledge & build capacity to learn, think, anticipate, act, innovate

19 Conclusions Innovation systems approach is relevant to ACP agriculture (education and research) The policy and legislative framework need to be strengthened to provide the enabling environment for science and innovation Knowledge institutes need funding for infrastructural development to contribute to ST&I capacity building for socio-economic development

20 Thank you/Merci