Contribution of innovation intermediaries in agricultural innovation: the case of agricultural R&D in Tanzania
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Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Routledge
Abstract
With the current global economic reforms and advances in science, the move has been towards privatisation of the
agricultural knowledge infrastructure. However, inadequate capacity of agricultural entrepreneurs and the diversity in
the characteristics of the agricultural technologies have created market and system failures, resulting in imbalances of
the supply and demand of technologies and hampering private agricultural business development. Experience from
countries with mature innovation systems indicates the emergence of innovation intermediaries that facilitate agricultural
entrepreneurs to innovate. Using a case-study approach, the present study identified and mapped the recipients
of technologies from agricultural research institutions in Tanzania and analysed the extent to which 'innovation
intermediation roles' have been applied by recipients in relation to demand articulation, network brokerage and
innovation process management. Through an in-depth analysis of twelve cases, the study revealed the role of innovation
intermediation performed by NGOs and R&D as project interventions not as their core activities. The study demonstrates
the potential contributions of innovation intermediaries in agricultural innovation processes and recommends official
recognition and government support in the establishment and implementation of innovation intermediation activities
outside the project set-ups.
Description
African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation
and Development 2015: Vol 7(2) 151-160.
Keywords
Innovation, Innovation intermediaries, National Agricultural Research System, Marketable technologies, Innovation networks, Tanzania