Knowledge and learning in the horticultural innovation system: A case of Kashmir valley of India

Abstract

The system of innovation (SI) in the agriculture sector, termed as Agricultural Innovation System (AIS), is one of the most recent trends in innovation research, especially in the developing economies. This approach considers several factors such as actors, complex networks and learning, socio-cultural and political factors that affect the innovation process within a dynamic system. Using the AIS approach, the present paper explores the knowledge and learning interactions in the horticultural sector of Kashmir Valley of India, which offers a mix of both formal and informal activities. The research methodology is qualitative in nature based on both primary and secondary data. For primary data collection, apple growers, private and government sector actors were interviewed and secondary data is based on various reports and published materials related to the apple production in Kashmir. The analysis explores the interactions of knowledge production by formal and informal means in the horticultural sector specifically focusing on the informal ways. In the study, taking the case of canker disease treatment in apple trees by informal ways depicts the productive use of informal knowledge in the horticultural system. It was observed that many factors (social networks, life-long experiences, learning, coordination and group interactions) affect the informal knowledge generation process and the connectivity between formal and informal actors is lagging in the horticulture sector.