Forging researchers-farmers partnership in public social innovation: a case study of Malaysia’s agro-based public research institution

Abstract

This paper explores the effective roles of public research institutions (PRIs) in social innovation and understand the element of communal support in researchers-farmers partnership. The case study on Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) reveals that the partnership between researchers and farmers is limited. The only productive and formal channel for researchers to reach the farmers is through agricultural extension agencies. It found that there are three elements that drive sustainable social innovation in agriculture: (1) quality research by PRIs; (2) efficient extension agency in disseminating knowledge to farmers; and (3) productive farmers in delivering high-yields farming. This paper claimed that the presence of partnership between researchers in PRIs and farmers is the crucial pivot in ensuring innovation reaches the target group. The study also found the potential of civil society organizations to transform farmers into more active innovation actors in the agricultural innovation system.

National Investment Framework for Revitalizing the R&D Collaborative Ecosystem of Sustainable Smart Agriculture

“…However, it may create a bias in stakeholders during decision-making [45], thereby increasing ambiguity and the number of differing perspectives held by stakeholders [30,31]. This study addressed the limitation in the literature [49][50][51][52][53] by discussing the fundamental functions of a robust framework that enables stakeholders to understand the research investment situation, monitor research investment progress, and identify challenges in different technological areas and regions that need collaboration to ensure sustainability [35,39]. Thus, policymakers and stakeholders of central and local governments can view the investment concentration and regional distribution and set directions to consider the appropriate government investment to enhance regional competitiveness and capabilities.…”

“…First, it suggested the framework for government R&D investment and collaboration in the smart-agriculture sector. Multiple prior studies [49][50][51][52][53] provided directions or recommendations to develop better smart agricultural policies without considering government R&D investment information. However, it may create a bias in stakeholders during decision-making [45], thereby increasing ambiguity and the number of differing perspectives held by stakeholders [30,31].…”

“…One research approach involves focusing on directions or recommendations to develop better smart agricultural policies [49][50][51][52][53][54][55]. MacRae et al [49] proposed a framework to identify a diverse range of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies, including research, diffusion, training, market development, safety programs, and tax provisions to support the transition from conventional to sustainable agriculture.…”

“…Building a digital supply chain in the agriculture sector can, for instance, accelerate a successful evolution of the ecosystem via exchanging information and knowledge among suppliers, farmers, producers, retailers, and governments [55]. Meanwhile, Noor et al [51] emphasized the essential role of public research institutes in agriculture to provide agricultural expansion services that improve farmers' productivity, income, and employment and generate knowledge for future sustainable growth. Thus, policies that enable public research institutes to motivate researchers with research grants, job promotions, and media publicity to grow in their careers warrants development.…”

Innovación social y pública: experiencias de laboratorios en la ciudad de Medellín

“…Como complemento a lo expresado por Conejero y Redondo (citados en Unceta y Baradiarán, 2019), estos consideran que «la innovación social se ha acercado de forma particular a la innovación pública» (p. 114) en la medida que potencia los procesos de trabajo en redes colaborativas y participativas de los actores sociales que allí se involucran, es decir, lo que puede potenciar el relacionamiento entre el Estado, la empresa, la sociedad civil y la academia. En este mismo contexto, Mohamad Noor et al (2020) hacen énfasis en la importancia de la articulación de diferentes actores, que en su caso de estudio se vuelven necesarios para servir de puentes de conversación y entendimiento del sector público y la comunidad, por tanto, se resalta que la conexión y articulación de estos términos lo que busca es dimensionar la intensidad de los cambios organizativos de carácter público para designar el diseño, aplicación e implementación de ideas y prácticas novedosas desde la gestión pública con el propósito de generar valor social, pues es precisamente allí donde la sociedad civil y los demás actores realizan sus mayores aportes de construcción y transformación.…”