Capacity for Sustaining Agricultural Innovation Platforms in Rwanda
For the Second RUFORUM Biennial Meeting, 13-17 September 2010, Entebbe, Uganda
CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF RESEARCH INTO USE PROJECT
Leonidas Dusengemungu (Makerere University, Agriculture extension/Education M.Sc. Tel. +250788617194, e mail:leonidassusenge@yahoo.com)
SUMMARY
The research was conducted in Rwanda with four agricultural Innovation Platforms (IPs). These IPs focus on cassava, round potato, maize production and farmers’ associations. RIU funding will end in 2011. Capacity building is vital to sustain these platforms beyond the project duration. Therefore, this study was set to assess whether it works or not and why. Out of literature review, the methodology includes focus group discussions, individual interviews, observation and capacity needs scoring. Results show tremendous achievements in capacity building and concern IPs establishment process, institutional arrangements, incentives and capacities needed by various actors. They will be used by DFID, RIU managers, Ministries of Agriculture and NGOs.
BACKGROUND
Research Into Use (RIU) is a five year DFID/UK project (2006-2011), which aims at strengthening capacities for uptake of innovations for agriculture development by end-users (e.g. farmers). Since 2008, this project has initiated four local agricultural Innovations Platforms (IPs) to promote technology diffusion in Rwanda. These IPs are formed around cassava and maize in the East, round potato in the North and farmers associations in the West. RIU funding will end in 2011. Capacity building is vital to sustain these platforms beyond the RIU project duration and no research had yet been conducted in this area. Thus, this research was designed to (1) determine the extent to which the innovation platforms have fulfilled their objectives; (2) identify contextual factors, incentives and institutional arrangements required to influence the effectiveness and sustainability of
CAPACITY FOR SUSTAINING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN RWANDA: A CASE STUDY OF RESEARCH INTO USE PROJECT
Leonidas Dusengemungu (Makerere University, Agriculture extension/Education M.Sc. Tel. +250788617194, e mail:leonidassusenge@yahoo.com)
SUMMARY
The research was conducted in Rwanda with four agricultural Innovation Platforms (IPs). These IPs focus on cassava, round potato, maize production and farmers’ associations. RIU funding will end in 2011. Capacity building is vital to sustain these platforms beyond the project duration. Therefore, this study was set to assess whether it works or not and why. Out of literature review, the methodology includes focus group discussions, individual interviews, observation and capacity needs scoring. Results show tremendous achievements in capacity building and concern IPs establishment process, institutional arrangements, incentives and capacities needed by various actors. They will be used by DFID, RIU managers, Ministries of Agriculture and NGOs.
BACKGROUND
Research Into Use (RIU) is a five year DFID/UK project (2006-2011), which aims at strengthening capacities for uptake of innovations for agriculture development by end-users (e.g. farmers). Since 2008, this project has initiated four local agricultural Innovations Platforms (IPs) to promote technology diffusion in Rwanda. These IPs are formed around cassava and maize in the East, round potato in the North and farmers associations in the West. RIU funding will end in 2011. Capacity building is vital to sustain these platforms beyond the RIU project duration and no research had yet been conducted in this area. Thus, this research was designed to (1) determine the extent to which the innovation platforms have fulfilled their objectives; (2) identify contextual factors, incentives and institutional arrangements required to influence the effectiveness and sustainability of
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