Innovation platforms for improving productivity in mixed farming systems: institutions and modalities

The purpose of this study was to generate information that provide comprehensive understanding of the constraints of tree - crop - livestock farming system in four sites of the Africa RISING project (Basona werana woreda in Amhara region, Endamehoni woreda in Tigray Region, Sinana woreda in Oromia region and Lemo woreda in Southern Nations Nationalities People (SNNP) region, Ethiopia). The study identified relev ant institutions in the study locations to develop modalities for establishment of Innovation Platform (IP). The identified institutions were gathered together to identify and prioritize problems and consult on the improvement of mixed farming system in th eir area. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from key informants (e.g., agricultural experts, development agents, kebele administrators and group of farmers) using structured interviews. The study identified the main sources of livelihood for small holders in the studied sites such as, crop production, livestock, trees and casual labor. There is limited effort so far done by available institutions to promote integrated agricultural practices. This calls for design and implementation of various intervention programs that aim at improving existing technologies and agricultural practices that address farmers interest and create awareness and knowledge based trainings for farmers and extension workers. The study deviced modalities for establishing effective innovation platform in the study sites. There are huge potential opportunities to the use of innovation platforms as many actors involved in agricultural development activities in the studied kebeles have keen interest for collaborative actions. The IP is very crucial to strengthen the existing partnerships and build new partnerships amongst various stakeholders (research institutions, Agricultural development and extension sectors, policy makers, farmers, higher education, private sectors etc...) . It helps to share information, plan, implement and monitor development and research activities jointly to address current and future problems of the farming systems in the studied sites. The innovation platform can be established mainly at Woreda level w ith good innovation networks at Kebel level. There is the need to look at Innovation platforms dynamically and pay more attention to mechanisms that strengthen feedback, learning and adaptive management in innovation processes.

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