Transformation of agricultural technology development approaches in Tanzania
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Date
2015
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study aimed at analyzing the transformation of agricultural innovation approaches in
Tanzania, from a ‘linear’ to ‘system’ mode of innovation, responding to reform measures
and new heterogeneous demands from the agricultural sector. The Agricultural Innovation
System (AIS) approach allows multiple actors to participate in agricultural chains and also
accommodate the institutional and organizational innovation. Using the perceptions of
researchers and their experiences from technologies generated from agricultural Research
and Development (R&D) institutions and organizations, the research study provides the
answer of why the adapted features of system mode of innovation by the National
Agricultural Research System (NARS) over time, have not sufficiently enhanced the
impact of technological innovation in Tanzanian agriculture, particularly on reaching the
majority smallholder resource-poor farmers that are weakly linked to the market. The
research applied mixed methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods,
including survey of 100 researchers and 87 technologies, and in-depth key informant
interviews. Analysis of the quantitative data indicated that, awareness of features of AIS is
limited to about half (50%) of researchers. However, quantitative data and qualitative
information form the technologies, identified various features of AIS that are incorporated
in NARS. Further analysis identified that about 69% of the agricultural technologies from
R&D are potentially public goods hence are managed through innovation intermediation /
brokerage roles performed in a project set-up by R&D institutions and NGOs. The
inadequate involvement of private sector in agricultural innovation was mainly due to lack
of viable commercial market for this type of agricultural technologies. The study concluded
that a number of institutional features of agricultural innovation system have been
incorporated in the current NARS in Tanzania, however, present limited delivery of
innovations. All stakeholders should promote, support and sponsor research using theiii
‘system’ approaches of agricultural innovation at all levels. In order for this to happen, it
demands on policy re-orientation regarding modes of operation, management style, and the
legal framework. Enabling environment for wider stakeholders participation in research
and extension should also be adopted and the indicators of performance for agricultural
research should capture not only technical innovations, but also institutional, organizational
and managerial innovations.
Description
PhD Thesis
Keywords
Agricultural technology, Technology development, Agriculture innovations, Innovation systems, Tanzania