Task 2.1: Inventory and classification of experiences with multistakeholder innovation processes

CIRAD coordinates a first inventory of relevant experiences with multistakeholder innovation processes in small-scale farming in close interaction with the three national convenors in South Africa, Kenya and Benin. The inventory was made mainly on the basis of existing information in academic and grey literature. It has unearthed about 20 to 25 cases in each of the three target countries, covering a broad range of past or on-going multistakeholder innovation experiences. A bibliographic database of the literature will be set up, providing whenever possible access to the documents retrieved during the inventory process. The database will be shared among the project partners and with the wider research and development community, as part of the WP4 dissemination strategy. Other entities outside the project will be invited to add to the database with their own experiences.

The analytical framework from Task 1.2 of WP1 and the inventory of case studies will allow all project partners to develop a simple classification of innovation systems, with the potential to differentiate between the key dimensions and contexts of innovation cases identified in Task 2.1. It will be used both to guide the selection of innovation cases and to structure the comparison among cases.

Task 2.2: Selection of innovation cases and validation of the case-study assessment approach

The initial activity – in close coordination between CIRAD and the three national convenors – will be to develop meaningful yet simple selection criteria for identifying case studies, based on the typology of innovation systems (Task 1.3). Using these criteria, the consortium partners will jointly select innovation cases for the collaborative case-study assessment. All consortium partners will also further develop and validate the preliminary version of the conceptual framework for comparative assessment of selected innovation cases developed in WP1 Task 2 and the approach for case-study assessment developed in WP1 Task 4. This will be done: 1) during the global event G1 to agree on the generic principles; and 2) during a national event (N-X1) organised in each of the three target countries (South Africa, Kenya and Benin) to adapt the generic approach to the local context and resources.

Task 2.3: Collaborative case study assessment

National convenors – with backstopping from CIRAD and other partners and in association with the members of national innovation platforms in South Africa, Kenya and Benin – will jointly engage in the process of assessing the cases selected in Task 2.2, using the agreed upon, locally adapted approach. They will draw whenever necessary on biotechnical, agronomic and socioeconomic expertise within the country or through technical backstopping from other Consortium partners.

Case studies selected in Task 2.2 are those with the greatest interest, need and potential for additional assessment and learning. Collaborative case assessment (CCA) involves intensive data collection (e.g. focus-group discussions, semi-open interviews with key resource persons) and will be conducted with the help of local and foreign students.  It will take place between February and July 2012

To strengthen individual and collective understanding and skills related to assessment, individuals taking part in the CCA will attend specific training sessions during the second national workshops (labeled N-Xtra) and will also be coached/mentored in the field during CCA, under the coordination of ICRA as part of WP3 Tasks 3.1 and 3.2.

Task 2.4: Lessons learnt on the potentials and limitations of agricultural innovation processes

All documented cases, both light and in-depth, will be finalised and cross-analysed by the national convenors with the help of CIRAD and other partners in preparation for a series of events (N-X3) organised towards end of 2012 by the national convenors in each of the three target countries. These events will serve to share, validate and scrutinise the respective insights, by inviting not only those involved in the case-study process but also a broad range of representatives from the national innovation scene, including technical experts, policymakers, private sector, development practitioners and key donors. The events will also serve to validate the main lessons learnt and suggestions for the future agenda for research, practice and policy.

The inputs of the three N-X3 events will form the basis for the global event G3, which will finalise the comparisons across countries and regions, and validate the lessons and the agenda to be delivered to the EC and other agencies as part of WP5.

Deliverables WP2 (revised)

D2.1  Electronic template database with information about innovation experiences in three countries

D2.2  Classification of innovation cases (Month 24?)

D2.3  About 50 enriched inventory cases (15–20 per target country) (Month 24)

D2.4  About 10–15 in-depth case-study reports (3–5 per target country) (Month 26)

D2.5  Six proceedings (2 per country) with results of events NX-1 and NX-2 (Months 9 and 18)

D2.6  Three national reports with comparative analysis and synthesis (lessons learnt) of case studies on innovation systems and integration of knowledge from different sources (first version Month 25, final version Month 30)

D2.7  A synthesis report presenting analysis of case studies across the three countries (see also D 5.5 WP5)

D2.8  18 students (B SC, m. Sc) in agriculture and rural development (6 Europeans, 12 Africans) have conducted their field research within the project.