Humidtropics
Multi-Stakeholder Process as a tool for facilitating
Research Integration: Lessons from Cameroon
Utility of the legacy product
This LP documents the process and outcomes in innovation systems thinking that promotes knowledge exchange and learning among stakeholders. This may happen through soft transfer (Paulré, 2004), co-creation (Kilelu et al., 2013,
Schut et al., 2015) or community-based activities at the more operational level (Waters-Bayer et al., 2015). The three processes correspond respectively to knowledge transfer or internalization, knowledge hybridization and knowledge externalization and can occur simultaneously within MSPs, depending on the type of activities to be implemented.
Introducing the legacy product
Multi-stakeholder processes (MSP) are increasingly seen as a promising vehicle for agricultural innovation in
developing countries. MSP and its instruments such as Research for Development Platforms (R4D) and Innovation
Platforms (IP) could play a strategic role in the transformation of Africa’s agriculture. However, the implementation of MSP in innovation system thinking to improve livelihoods is still not fully understood in terms of process and
outcomes. This poster is building on two years constructive analysis of the influence of MSP in Cameroon on research integration with a diversity of stakeholders and how this impacted their efficiency in integrated systems research
under Humidtropics in Cameroon.
Key partners
ICRAF, IITA, IRAD, FARA, CASD – NGO, KEY FARMERS ORGANIZATION, NOWEFOR,
AVRDC, MINADER, UNIVERSITIES OF DSCHANG, YAOUNDE II, BUEA
This document is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
November 2016
Potential users of this legacy product
MSP could be used to mainstream CAADP and country NAFSIP; Projects and programs in
CAADP countries, NGOs and Community development programs; or by the AFS CRP during
delivery and dissemination of technologies; or by the AfDB TAAT and AARP.
Results and outputs
Key contacts
Authors: Sygnola Tsafack*1, Ann Degrande1, Syndhia Mathé2, Latifou Idrissou3, Hervé Bisseleua4, Jean-Claude
Bidogeza5, Apollin Fotso6 and Christopher Suh7
Contact author: [email protected]
Affiliations: 1 = World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Cameroon, 2 = IITA & CIRAD Cameroon, 3 = IITA Ibadan Nigeria,
4 = ICRAF Nairobi Kenya, 5 = AVRDC Cameroon, 6 = IITA Cameroon, 7 = IRAD Cameroon
How does it work?
Process
Inception
workshop
Vision and objectives
Entry themes & potential sites
RAAIS
(Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Innovation Systems)workshop
R4D
+ Research topics Launching of Innovation Platforms + Contextualisation & Executive committeeMeetings &
trainings
IPs
IPs
Planning
Proposals
Activities
Stakeholders and engagements
R4D level (active members)
Institutions
Roles / Activities
CGIAR centres (IITA, ICRAF, AVRDC) Coordinate research activities (based on expertise and field site), disseminate innovations
NARS (IRAD) Coordinate research activities (based on expertise), link R4D with IPs
Universities (Buea, Dschang, Yaounde 1 and 2)
Contribute in the supervision of students involved in Humidtropics activities
Ministries (MINADER) Guide with relevant policies, assist in identification of stakeholders and activities.
CBO/Local NGO (CASD, NOWEFOR, Key Farmers)
Mobilize IP members, coordinate/ supervise activities, do follow-up, link with expertise
IP level (mainly facilitator or executive committee members)
Teach and advise
Provide follow-up and
orientation
Facilitate information between IP & stakeholders
Serving link between IP members and the R4D
Interrelation among the Components
Facilitation
team
Innovation
Platform
R4D
Platform
Mother
Plot
Baby trial
Baby trial
= Influence; = FeedbackR4D Level
Joint venture of CGIAR Centres / integrated actions
Dissemination of innovations based on priorities & needs
Achievement of six Humidtropics IDOs:
increase rural income, nutrition and productivity, Sustainable natural resource management, women & youths, enhance innovation capacities1 PhD
Capacity
development
≥ 10 MSc
03 Innovation Platforms (Ips)
IP Level
9 Mother plots
110 baby trials
Trainings
≥ 100 activities
in one year
Improved seeds/seedlings
distributed and available • of leaders
• on gender empowerment • on crops integration
Functioning cassava processing center, cocoa nurseries and propagators for tree domestication
Many positive changes have been
noticed In some areas, difficulties have forced beneficiaries to innovate MSP process has been understood by many stakeholders
Lessons
MSPs help to improve agricultural productivity in Africa
Arena to share vision among stakeholders and develop interventions of mutual benefit
through co-creation and community-led action research
Arena to adapt technologies to existing local conditions
MSPs help to build formal and informal relationships and to develop
mutual/interpersonal trust between researchers and other stakeholders
We suggest more investments in MSPs to enable the development and effective
dissemination of agricultural innovations, thus fostering pro-poor growth and improving
farmers’ livelihoods.
Members who were able to improve their livelihoods
could help to prove the effectiveness of the approach
Community radios to mobilize more communities
around the MSP approach and inform stakeholders on time on MSP activities
"quick win" activities to convince more stakeholders
Take advantage of
Research and other stakeholders can work closely to improve the agricultural sector
MSP needs good preparation and significant resources (like finance & trained facilitators) Capacity development and sensitization should be permanent
Failures are sometimes turned into new opportunities to the benefit of stakeholders
References
PAULRÉ, B., 2004, "L'analyse évolutionniste contemporaine du changement technique et de l'innovation". CLES. Cahiers lillois d'économie et de
sociologie(43-44)
SCHUT, M., L. KLERKX, M. SARTAS, D. LAMERS, M. M. CAMPBELL, I. OGBONNA, P. KAUSHIK, K. ATTA-KRAH and C. LEEUWIS, 2015, "Innovation Platforms: Experiences with
Their Institutional Embedding in Agricultural Research for Development". Experimental Agriculture, 1-25
KILELU, C. W., L. KLERKX and C. LEEUWIS, 2013, "Unravelling the role of innovation platforms in supporting co-evolution of innovation: contributions and
tensions in a smallholder dairy development programme". Agricultural Systems(118), 65-77
WATERS-BAYER, A., P. KRISTJANSON, C. WETTASINHA, L. VELDHUIZEN, G. QUIROGA, K. SWAANS and B. DOUTHWAITE, 2015, "Exploring the impact of farmer-led research
supported by civil society organisations". Agriculture & Food Security 4(1), 1
Trial set up in South West Cameroon
R4D Trained members in Communication in Cameroon
IP facilitator visiting an IP
