Understanding variation in sorghum through with-farmer experimentation

Kudadjie, C.Y.; Struik, P.C.; Richards, Paul; Offei, Samuel Kwame; Atengdem, P.B.

doi:10.1080/14735903.2007.9684818

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A key output of the project (Van Huis et al, 2007) was to demonstrate the possibility of generating useful results under this double quality requirement. Volunteer low-resource farmers were interested in co-design of experiments, and readily saw the link between a formal science approach and their own experimental concerns (e.g., Kudadjie et al, 2007). Publishable results were obtained (for example, two sets of peer-reviewed papers have appeared in special issues of NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, v. 52, 2004 andThe International Journal of Environmental Sustainability, v. 5 [issues 2-3], 2007).…”

Section: Lessons Of the Convergence Of Sciences (Cos) Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A partial attempt to solve this problem was made via the idea of testing some sorghum or yam morphological characteristics farmers thought might be heritable (Kudadjie et al, 2007). As already stated, the comparison of farmer variety names, morphology and molecular data provided an opportunity to link scientific (molecular) and local knowledge on genetic variation.…”

Section: Lessons Of the Convergence Of Sciences (Cos) Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seed systems for African food security: linking molecular genetic analysis and cultivator knowledge in West Africa

Richards

Bruin-Hoekzema

Hughes

et al. 2009

IJTM

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A challenge for African countries is how to integrate new sources of knowledge on plant genetics with knowledge from farmer practice to help improve food security. This paper considers the knowledge content of farmer seed systems in the light of a distinction drawn in artificial intelligence research between supervised and unsupervised learning. Supervised learning applied to seed systems performance has a poor record in Africa. The paper discusses an alternative-unsupervised learning supported by functional genomic analysis. Recent work in West Africa on sorghum, African rice and white yam is described. Requirements for laboratory-based analytical support are outlined. A science-backed 'farmer first' approach-while feasible-will require a shift in policy and funding by major investors.

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Section: Lessons Of the Convergence Of Sciences (Cos) Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lessons Of the Convergence Of Sciences (Cos) Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed systems for African food security: linking molecular genetic analysis and cultivator knowledge in West Africa

Richards

Bruin-Hoekzema

Hughes

et al. 2009

IJTM

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“…However, recent research shows that smallholders have few opportunities that could be captured by technological innovation alone. Moreover, the impact of technological research and Development (R&D) on African farming has been disappointing (Thirtle, et al, 2003;Adjei-Nsiahet al 2013:859;Sinzogan et al 2007;Kudadjie et al 2007 ). It is apparent that significant improvements in agriculture are unlikely to be achieved in the continent through adoption of green revolution technologies alone.…”

Section: The Case For Institutional Innovations In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While Saıdou et al (2007) documents how immigrant tenants were engaged in non-sustainable land use, not because they did not understand soil fertility but because of insecure tenancy conditions that made them wary of investing in more sustainable land options. In Northern Ghana, Kudadjie et al (2007), found that adoption of a new variety of sorghum developed by research depended on local breweries creating a market for it. These experiences suggest that institutional change is not only important for smallholder development, but also that it is possible to create opportunities without having to adopt new methods that would be expensive and unsustainable in specific conditions.…”

Section: The Case For Institutional Innovations In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional Innovations for Smallholder Agricultural Production Systems in Kenya: A Case of Smallholder Tea Subsector

2015

EJSD

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The smallholder tea sub-sector which is part of the larger Kenyan tea industry has enjoyed considerable success since its inception in the early 1960s. The planted area under the smallholder system, expanded from 2,522 hectares in 1962 to over 100,000 hectares in 2015; while annual production rose from 1.3 million kgs of green leaf to over 1 billion kgs of green leaf over the same period. Other industrial crops such as coffee, sisal and cotton that previously thrived have struggled to survive under diminished government direct investment in the agricultural sector. The smallholder tea subsector has conversely, managed to endure systemic constraints and challenges to remain competitive. This paper shows that while the relative success of the subsector can be explained by the adoption of modern technologies, there are other relevant factors including policy and institutional that KTDA has embraced to remain competitive. Evidence from the study suggests that innovative institutional arrangements and support systems which have been associated with enhanced farmers earnings. In addition, the participatory governance framework put in place post 2000, innovative approaches to the provision of advisory services and information sharing systems have provided an incentive for smallholder farmers to produce high quality teas that directly translated into better earnings. The presence of participatory governance, innovative and efficient systems that reduce costs and enhance farmers earnings are critical success factors for any smallholder agricultural value chain.

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“…The researcher created a platform of District administrators, LBCs, and farmers to broker an agreement to regularly and randomly check the scales so as to remove doctoring scales as a competitive practice. In Northern Ghana, Kudadjie et al (2007) found that adoption of a new variety of sorghum developed by research depended on local breweries creating a market for it.…”

Section: Source Of Inspiration: Cos Research 2002-2006mentioning

confidence: 99%

Defying “the pervasive bias” against African smallholders: identifying entry points for institutional change

Adjei-Nsiah¹,

Adu-Acheampong²,

Debrah³

et al. 2013

Development in Practice

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African smallholders face few opportunities that can be captured through new technologies alone. Analysis of the institutional context in which they work opens new pathways for innovation. This article synthesises nine studies that attempted such analysis. Using mixed appraisal methods, the studies identify institutional conditions that explain the, often unsatisfactory, outcomes of smallholders, as well as entry points for changing them. Instead of at the farm or community levels, Participatory Innovation System Analysis seeks at higher levels to identify actors, networks and mechanisms that maintain or can change the "pervasive bias against the small farm sector" in SSA.Défier le « biais omniprésent » à l'encontre des petits cultivateurs africains: identifier les points d'entrée pour les changements institutionnels Les petits cultivateurs africains ont à leur disposition peu d'opportunités qui puissent être saisies par le seul biais des nouvelles technologies. Une analyse du contexte institutionnel dans lequel ils travaillent ouvre de nouvelles voies pour l'innovation. Cet article synthétise neuf études qui ont tenté une analyse de ce type. À l'aide de méthodes d'évaluation mixtes, les études identifient les conditions institutionnelles qui expliquent les résultats, souvent insatisfaisants, obtenus par les petits cultivateurs, ainsi que les points d'entrée pour les modifier. Au lieu de le faire aux niveaux des exploitations ou des communautés, l'Analyse participative des systèmes d'innovation cherche à identifier à des niveaux supérieurs les acteurs, réseaux et mécanismes qui maintiennent ou peuvent modifier le « biais omniprésent à l'encontre du secteur des petits cultivateurs » en Afrique sub-saharienne.Cuestionando "el prejuicio persistente" contra los pequeñ os productores africanos: identificando puntos de abordaje para lograr el cambio institucional No existen muchas oportunidades de desarrollo dependientes exclusivamente del uso de tecnologías nuevas que puedan ser explotadas por los pequeños productores de Á frica. El análisis # 2013 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis. This is an Open Access article. Non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly attributed, cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way, is permitted. The moral rights of the named author(s) have been asserted. 857Development in Practice, 2013 Vol. 23, No. 7, 857-871, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2013 del contexto institucional en el que éstos trabajan permite abrir nuevas vías para la innovación. El presente artículo sintetiza nueve estudios que realizaron dicho análisis. A partir del uso de distintos métodos de valoración, dichos estudios identificaron las condiciones institucionales que explican los resultados -a menudo insatisfactorios-obtenidos por los pequeños productores y señalan los puntos de abordaje para mejorar tales resultados. En vez de ser aplicado a nivel de parcela o de comunidad, el Análisis Participativo de Innovación de S...

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Understanding variation in sorghum through with-farmer experimentation

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Seed systems for African food security: linking molecular genetic analysis and cultivator knowledge in West Africa

Seed systems for African food security: linking molecular genetic analysis and cultivator knowledge in West Africa

Institutional Innovations for Smallholder Agricultural Production Systems in Kenya: A Case of Smallholder Tea Subsector

Defying “the pervasive bias” against African smallholders: identifying entry points for institutional change

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