Beyond Knowledge Brokerage: An Exploratory Study of Innovation Intermediaries in an Evolving Smallholder Agricultural System in Kenya
Presentation at the International conference on “Innovations in Extension and Advisory Services: Linking Knowledge to Policy and Action for Food and Livelihoods”
November 15th 2011 -Nairobi, Kenya
Catherine Kilelu, Laurens Klerkx, Cees Leeuwis, Andy Hall
Communication and Innovation Studies Group
Introduction
Smallholder agriculture undergoing transformation: dynamic market opportunities (high value supply chains) and food insecurity challenges.
The need to enhance innovation of smallholders in context of larger Agriculture Innovation systems (A.I.S)
A.I.S- Innovation not research driven but emphasize:
● Interactions among multiple stakeholders bringing different knowledge
● Institutions that shape how individuals/orgs interact
● Learning within networks of actors
How to support A.I.S ? Need to counteract system and market failures
Need to go beyond knowledge brokers as ‘infomediaries’(new role for traditional extension) but move to broad innovation system intermediaries
Need to define innovation intermediaries and their diverse functions - a changing domain
Range of innovation intermediaries functions
Innovation intermediaries/brokers)
Demand articulation
Network Brokering
Gate keeping
Matching making
Diagnosis
Foresight
Scanning / scoping
Gathering information
Strategic planning
Visioning
Brainstorming
Needs assessment
Demand stimulation
Filtering
Selecting collaborators
Linking and coordinating
Forming partnerships
Knowledge brokering
Disseminating knowledge& Technology
Communicating knowledge/ technology
Transferring
Advising
Informing
Innovation process management (monitoring)
Experimenting
Demonstrating
Articulating experiential/ indigenous knowledge
Mediating relationships
Learning
Aligningagendas
Managing conflict
Negotiating
Providing space/platforms
Complementary assets sharing
Building trust
Capacity building(entrepreneurship)
Organization development Training and competence building
Initiating organizations
Organizational strengthening/group dynamics
Incubating enterprisesManagerial skills Technical skills (agri)
Certification/standards
Market linkages
Institutional support
Boundary work
linking science, policy, practice
Platform for policy advocacy
Facilitating changes in rules/ regulation
Working on attitudes and practice
Peer exchange
Interface mgt
Institutional change
Indentifyingopportunities
Matching knowledge demand and supply
Demand led research
Knowledge gaps assessment
Research objectives and methods
To explore the changing intermediary domain and their role in supporting innovation in smallholder development in Kenya
Who are the intermediary actors in the evolving Kenyan agricultural innovation system?
How are the intermediaries contributing to innovation system support?
Using a case study design (explorative)
Focus on dairy, horticulture and staples sub-sectors
Snow ball sampled 22 organizations
Data collected through semi-structured interviews and document reviews
Results
The types of organizations identified as intermediaries
• NGOs (9),
• Consultants (5),
• Govt agencies (3),
• Private companies (3),
• Consortium (1),
• Producer association(1)
Funding mixed but mainly donor funded programs
New and old actors (changing roles)
Typology of intermediaries identified
Typology of innovation intermediariesInter-mediary type
Example Sectoral focus
Area of focus in their functions
Systemicbroker
KDSCP, NALEP, Agri-Profocus
Dairy, Horticulture, SectorwideAgribusiness
Strategic demand articulation- sector agendas (including research)Network building and facilitating platforms for interaction and learning Steering sector wide Institutional innovation- policy
Technology broker
ISAAA, AATF
Agro-Biotechnology
Demand stimulation for proprietary technologiesNetwork building and learning ( researchers, private sector Knowledge /Technology brokeringInstitutional innovation- policy and regulation
EnterpriseDevelop-mentsupport
Farm Concern Int, Techno-serve, SHOMAP
Horticulture and Dairy
Demand articulation-Market driven opportunitiesNetwork building –input- output linkagesInnovation process monitoring and learning , negotiationsKnowledge brokeringCapacity building- human and organization development (entrepreneurship)
Pro-poor inputAccess
FIPS,AGMARK, Real IPM
Staples (maize)
Demand stimulation for inputsNetwork building and supporting learning for input access and uptakeKnowledge brokering- Local experimentation with input applicationCapacity building and learning organization
Results
Findings confirm a ‘mix’ of organizational forms, public and private actors involved, and ways of funding (Birner et al 2009; Klerkx and Leeuwis 2008)
Role of intermediaries is seen as critical in facilitating networks and learning among multiple actors
Focus on technical and entrepreneurial support (K
Emergence and structure of innovation intermediaries is influenced by context ( quasi- privatized system in Kenya)
Innovation intermediation as a specialized function (acting as full-time ‘innovation brokers’) is limited in the Kenyan context- tensions with ‘wearing double hats’?
Some gaps noted in the intermediary landscape in the Kenyan context
● No intermediaries work on aligning research demand and supply
Conclusions and Recommendations
Policy focus is on demand-driven, pluralistic extension services but is not explicit on how to provide systemic support and how to fund this
Adequacy and optimality of Kenyan intermediary landscape? Understanding best fit to guide policy? (Birner et al., 2009)
Areas for further research
● This research provided a structural view of innovation intermediaries but need to understand them in processes
● Evaluating impact and contribution of innovation intermediaries
Thank you for your attention!
See also: Kilelu, C.W.; Klerkx, L.; Leeuwis, C.; Hall, A. (2011)Beyond knowledge brokering: an exploratory study on innovation intermediaries in an evolving smallholder agricultural system in Kenya Knowledge Management for Development Journal 7 (1). - p. 84 - 108.
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