Abstract
Agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS) has a strong potential to enhance economic performance of farming and contribute to agricultural sustainability, as it may increase synergies and complementarity among actors. This paper is aimed to develop a proposed framework to strengthen AKIS in the study area based on the results of this study. This paper explores perception and views about strengthening AKIS in Dakhalia governorate of Egypt by applying a multi-actor approach. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussion. This paper focuses on three structural dimensions, namely actors, interactions, and technologies, to describe the nature of innovation processes within AKIS. Results indicate that legal and regulatory frameworks, lack of infrastructure, and weak the role of intermediary organizations are the main barriers that AKIS faces. Linkages of contracting and public–private partnerships were viewed as main interactions required to strengthen AKIS. The analysis also explores the availability of innovation requirements at each actor, as well as the distributive technologies, that should be encouraged to build the capacity the agricultural sector. A proposed framework is developed based on the results of this study and the characteristics of the AKIS in the study area. This framework could be used for stimulating innovation and enhancing coordination between actors.
Highlights
To meet the increasing demand of food and to respond to new market opportunities, agricultural systems worldwide need to be more sustainable by generating and applying new knowledge and innovations [1]
The present study offers new insights for strengthening the interaction linkages within regional AKIS in Egypt, as perceived by a range of actors, such as farmers, cooperatives, research, advisory, credit, education, and private sector
The contribution of this paper is two-fold; first, providing insights into the functioning of a regional AKIS. It deepens the literature on structural–functional innovation systems analysis by suggesting a framework that illustrates how regional dimensions, coupled with structural elements, could enhance the functioning of a regional AKIS
Summary
To meet the increasing demand of food and to respond to new market opportunities, agricultural systems worldwide need to be more sustainable by generating and applying new knowledge and innovations [1]. With the need for rural competitiveness to allow agricultural systems to remain competitive in a changing socioeconomic environment, the concept of agricultural innovation system (AIS) was merged to reflect the importance of going beyond the creation of knowledge and highlights that innovation systems are social systems [11]. This thinking was developed over time toward promotion of agricultural system multifunctionality by supporting collective and integrated processes of multi-actors to co-produce innovations through interactions among all stakeholders in the agri-food chain [3]. According to EU [13], moving from the linear model of knowledge to AKIS is attributed to four drivers: Disconnection between farmers’ indigenous knowledge, extension, and research; increasing concern for adverse environmental impacts associated with industrial agriculture in the policy agenda; multifunctional agriculture requires coordination and integration among different stakeholders; and restructuring reforms that have been implemented in research, extension, and education institutions
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