Actors’ roles and functions in the improved rice varieties innovation system in the eastern zone of Tanzania

S Charles,Az Mattee,Cp Msuya

doi:10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n1a10778

S Charles, Az Mattee + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n1a10778

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Abstract

The objective of the study was to establish the actors’ roles and functions in improved rice varieties innovation system in the Eastern Zone of Tanzania. The target population samples for the study comprised of household heads (n = 340) and other key identified actors (n = 99). The research design was a convergent parallel mixed method. Face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review were used to collect the data. The findings indicate weak or inability of Agricultural Seed Agency, TANSEED International Ltd, Quality Declared Seed producers in seed multiplication and distribution and agro-dealers were not selling quality rice seeds, thereby resulting in low availability and high prices of the same. Also, the findings show weak participation of farmers, agro-dealers, traders and millers in the functions of guidance of the search and rice varieties development, and the limited number of market actors and weak credit mobilization for farmers to invest in IRVs. The study recommends for the Government of Tanzania to create enabling environment that enhances participation of all key actors in the processes of guidance of the search and rice varieties development; linking farmers with external markets; and enhancing the farmers’ access to credit facilities by working on the obstacles hampering farmers from accessing loans from financial institutions.

Highlights

Over the last three decades, there has been an increasing recognition in science and policy communities that innovation can be better understood as the outcome of an innovation system (IS)
Information from interviewees in research institutes showed that Kilombero Agricultural Training and Research Institute (KATRIN), Cholima AgroScientific Research Centre and Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) are the key actors were playing the role of improved rice varieties (IRVs) generation
Development partners such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank and the Government of Tanzania were involved in IRVs generation through providing research funds

Summary

Introduction

Over the last three decades, there has been an increasing recognition in science and policy communities that innovation can be better understood as the outcome of an innovation system (IS). Innovation system is defined as a set of interrelated actors, their interactions, and the institutions that condition their behaviour with respect to the common objective of generating, diffusing, and utilizing knowledge (Spielman, 2005; Asenso-okyere, Davis and Aredo, 2008) In this connection, the term innovation started to be defined as the economically successful use of invention or new knowledge (research outcome) that enhances social and economic change (Fagerberg, Mowery and Nelson, 2005). In Tanzania, in particular, the IS perspective has been anchored in the National Agricultural Policy-NAP (United Republic of Tanzania-URT, 2013), the National Rice Development Strategy - NRDS (URT, 2009), and the Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP) II 2016/2017 – 2024/2025 (URT, 2016). The TDV 2025 aims at achieving a high quality livelihood for Tanzanian people by transforming the economy from a predominantly low productive agriculture-dependent economy to a diversified and semi-industrialized economy that ensures food security and food self-sufficiency (URT, 1999)

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