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Making agricultural innovation systems (AIS) work for development in tropical countries

TitleMaking agricultural innovation systems (AIS) work for development in tropical countries
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsAerni, P., Nichterlein K., Rudgard S., and Sonnino Andrea
JournalSustainability (Switzerland)
Volume7
Pagination831 - 850
Date Published2015
ISBN Number20711050 (ISSN)
Keywordsagricultural development, Agricultural innovation systems, agricultural practice, assessment method, Capacity development, Central America, demand analysis, economic development, natural resource, Needs assessment, smallholder, Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Tropical agriculture platform, United Nations
Abstract

Agricultural innovation in low-income tropical countries contributes to a more effective and sustainable use of natural resources and reduces hunger and poverty through economic development in rural areas. Yet, despite numerous recent public and private initiatives to develop capacities for agricultural innovation, such initiatives are often not well aligned with national efforts to revive existing Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). In an effort to improve coordination and responsiveness of Capacity Development (CD) initiatives, the G20 Agriculture Ministers requested the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to lead the development of a Tropical Agricultural Platform (TAP), which is designed to improve coherence and coordination of CD for agricultural innovation in the tropics. This paper presents a summary of the results obtained from three regional needs assessments undertaken by TAP and its partners. The surveyed tropical regions were Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. The findings reveal a mismatch in all three regions between the external supply of primarily individual CD and the actual demand for institutional CD. The misalignment might be addressed by strengthening south-south and triangular collaboration and by improving the institutional capacities that would render national AIS more demand-oriented and responsive to the needs of smallholders in domestic agriculture. © 2015 by the authors.

Notes

Export Date: 6 May 2015Correspondence Address: Aerni, P.; Center for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, University of ZurichSwitzerlandReferences: Beintema, N., Stads, G.-J., Fuglie, K., Heisey, P., (2012) Agricultural R & D Spending Developing Countries: Accelerate Investment, , International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): Washington, DC, USA;Cultivating Knowledge and Skills to Grow African Agriculture. (2007) A Synthesis of an Institutional, Regional, and International Review, , The World Bank: Washington, DC, USA; Agricultural Innovation Systems. 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