INNOVATION SYSTEMS, FOOD SECURITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: LESSONS FROM THE ACP REGION

In 2003/4, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) began a process of competence building targeting the 79 member countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States to enhance the participation of researchers in agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) policy processes. The assumptions were that (a) little innovation was occurring in the agricultural sector; (b) a disconnect existed between the S and T community and policy makers and; (c) limited information was available for making informed S, T and I policy decisions to support agricultural and rural development. There were two aspects to the program: (a) formal training to increase understanding of innovation and the innovation systems concept; and (b) reinforcement of knowledge and skills through the conduct of national case studies, applying a standardized methodological framework for analyzing the agricultural S, T and I system. This paper reviews the evolution of the training program and presents a synthesis of the key findings from 15 case studies conducted in 13 ACP countries on 12 horticultural commodities, including bananas (Musa spp.). It was shown that the policy framework, the knowledge infrastructure and the intensity of the linkages among system actors (mainly between national research organizations, universities and farmers) determine the strengths and weaknesses in the ASTI system. It is concluded that there is a need to: (a) enhance understanding of the relevance of the innovation systems concept; (b) create an enabling environment for learning and networking to improve information and knowledge flows; and (c) influence ST and I policy processes for enhancing agricultural performance for food security and economic performance in the ACP region. Capacity building is crucial.