Your search found 2 records
1 Schut, M.; van Asten, P.; Okafor, C.; Hicintuka, C.; Mapatano, S.; Nabahungu, N. L.; Kagabo, D.; Muchunguzi, P.; Njukwe, E.; Dontsop-Nguezet, P. M.; Sartas, M.; Vanlauwe, B. 2016. Sustainable intensification of agricultural systems in the Central African Highlands: the need for institutional innovation. Agricultural Systems, 145:165-176. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.03.005]
Sustainable agriculture ; Farming systems ; Intensification ; Agricultural research ; Participatory approaches ; Innovation ; Institutional development ; Nongovernmental organizations ; CGIAR ; Stakeholders ; Constraints ; Farmers ; Highlands / Africa South of Sahara / Central Africa / Democratic Republic of the Congo / Rwanda / Burundi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047848)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X16300440/pdfft?md5=5be37a48e32bcbda5ad290093053ebe8&pid=1-s2.0-S0308521X16300440-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047848.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047848.pdf
(0.81 MB) (828 KB)
This study identifies entry points for innovation for sustainable intensification of agricultural systems. An agricultural innovation systems approach is used to provide a holistic image of (relations between) constraints faced by different stakeholder groups, the dimensions and causes of these constraints, and intervention levels, timeframes and types of innovations needed. Our data shows that constraints for sustainable intensification of agricultural systems are mainly of economic and institutional nature. Constraints are caused by the absence, or poor functioning of institutions such as policies and markets, limited capabilities and financial resources, and ineffective interaction and collaboration between stakeholders. Addressing these constraints would mainly require short- and middle-term productivity and institutional innovations, combined with middle- to long-term NRM innovations across farm and national levels. Institutional innovation (e.g. better access to credit, services, inputs and markets) is required to address 69% of the constraints for sustainable intensification in the Central Africa Highlands. This needs to go hand in hand with productivity innovation (e.g. improved knowhow of agricultural production techniques, and effective use of inputs) and NRM innovation (e.g. targeted nutrient applications, climate smart agriculture). Constraint network analysis shows that institutional innovation to address government constraints at national level related to poor interaction and collaboration will have a positive impact on constraints faced by other stakeholder groups. We conclude that much of the R4D investments and innovation in the Central Africa Highlands remain targeting household productivity at farm level. Reasons for that include (1) a narrow focus on sustainable intensification, (2) institutional mandates and pre-analytical choices based project objectives and disciplinary bias, (3) short project cycles that impede work on middle- and long-term NRM and institutional innovation, (4) the likelihood that institutional experimentation can become political, and (5) complexity in terms of expanded systems boundaries and measuring impact.
2 Dahl, Hauke; Sartas, M.. 2023. CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator: kick-off and onboarding workshop - complementary report on reflections on the accelerator and technical assistance design and implementation, Kigali, Rwanda, 22-24 February 2023. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa. 10p.
Agrifood systems ; Agribusiness ; Innovation ; Technical aid ; Value chains / East Africa / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052597)
(593 KB)
Food system accelerators are programs that support agribusinesses in scaling their innovations to address the challenges and opportunities in food and agriculture systems. They typically provide a combination of technical assistance, mentoring, networking, and access to finance to help agribusinesses grow and achieve positive social and environmental impact. Food system accelerators are emerging as a promising approach to foster climate-smart innovation and transformation in agri-food systems, especially in developing regions where climate change, population growth, food insecurity, and malnutrition pose serious threats. Climate-smart innovation can enhance the efficiency, resilience, transparency, and inclusiveness of agri-food value chains, as well as improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and consumers. However, scaling climate-smart innovations in agri-food systems is not easy. It requires a deep understanding of the complex and dynamic context of agri-food systems, as well as the needs and preferences of different actors and stakeholders. It also requires collaboration and coordination among various actors, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, extension agents, and end-users. Moreover, it requires overcoming various barriers and risks, such as lack of infrastructure, skills, data, regulation, trust, and financing. To address these challenges, food system accelerators leverage the expertise and network of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR has a portfolio of innovations that span various domains of agri-food systems, such as crop improvement, livestock production, natural resource management, nutrition, gender, policy, and markets. CGIAR also has a strong presence and partnership in many developing countries where agri-food systems face the most pressing problems. One example of a food system accelerator is the CGIAR Food Systems Accelerator Programme (FSA), launched in partnership with 2SCALE in 2022. The FSA aims to support at least 30 agribusinesses in East and Southern Africa by 2024 with scaled-up climate-smart innovations that support diversification, intensification, and risk management of maize mixed systems. The FSA provides tailor-made support to selected agribusinesses under four priority innovation themes: mechanization and irrigation, conservation agriculture, nutrition-sensitive climate-smart agriculture, and agricultural risk management. The FSA also offers de-risking grants and matchmaking with private investors for follow-on capital. In February 2023, CGIAR FSA organized the initiation workshop for the first successful group of startup businesses at Norrsken House, Kigali, Rwanda. This report has its focus on participants’ reflections on the food system accelerator process and the way forward.
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