1. 1 Agricultural Innovation Networks: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Tugrul Temel ISNAR November 17, 2000

2. 2 An Outline l Motivation l Objectives l Concepts, Definitions l Information gathering l Methodology l Discussion l Conclusions and Recommendations

3. 3 Motivation of the Project l To smoothly transit to market economy l To establish an enabling institutional structure l To promote agricultural development, to reduce food insecurity and poverty l New technologies are not developed, although advance knowledge and highly skilled and educated labor exist l Science and R&D are no longer the only source of innovation but rather agents’ interactions organized around a common knowledge base

4. 4 Objectives of the project l describe and analyze the existing AIN l set the key priorities for the AIN l recommend changes in the AIN

5. 5 Concepts and Definitions l National innovation system l A network is a collection of interlinked sectoral clusters l A sectoral cluster is a group of institutions and organizations organized around a common knowledge base. l An agricultural innovation network is the set of agents that interact in the development, diffusion, and application of new technologies. l Institutional, organizational, and technological innovations l An innovation possibility curve (Said Ahmad, 1966) l NARS and AKIS

6. 6 Tools for information gathering l Events analysis to characterize the most recent innovations l Interviews with agents in the AIN

7. 7 Methodology: A Graph-Theoretic Approach l To establish an AI matrix to characterize agents’ interactions l To identify clusters and networks of agents relevant to AIs l To identify the source- sink of an innovation and pathways in between l to detect areas lacking linkages and information l to develop innovation strategies (or pathways) for setting priority

8. 8 Discussion l Which agents should be included in the study? l How would you design interviews? l What other methods would be more suitable?