Learning and Innovation Systems (Leader: Paul Van Mele)

Rationale

• The importance of partnerships in both technology generation and dissemination is commonly recognized. A better understanding of forces shaping institutional relationships will help in carving out future R&D strategies for pro-poor development. Networks and partnerships are operational structures within the broader innovation system, hence this project uses an innovation systems research approach to help shed light on their role and relevance with an emphasis on seed, learning and value chains.

Goal

• To improve the livelihoods of rural and urban populations through strengthened partnerships, effective learning mechanisms and better functioning rice innovation systems.

Purpose

• Increase the effectiveness of processes shaping the development and dissemination of sustainable technologies.

Outputs

• Partnerships and networks to promote rice sector development

• Mechanisms for pro-poor seed system development

• Agricultural education tools and learning pathways

• Strategies and tools to strengthen the rice value chain

Collaboration with farmer organizations, NGOs (CRS, Vredeseilanden, Songhai, LDLD, SG2000 and others), NARES, IRRI, CABI, FARA, Countrywise Communication, University of Abomey-Calavi, Makerere University, Cornell University, United Nations University and Wageningen University

Activities in WARDA member countries, Ethiopia and Tanzania