Innovation, institutional learning, and networks for development in LAC

Víctor M. Villalobos

Context• A new agricultural revolution is under way in LAC agriculture.

• Forging a paradigm of productive, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture calls for innovation.

• The structural changes need to go hand in hand with sweeping organizational changes.

• The new institutional arrangements in the area of research and extension are still insufficient.

• The GCARD’s Road Map is the way to go, speeding up the process. We can do more. 2

Some experiences in LAC

Family Farming Program (PAF) of the

Salvadorian Government

• At the hemispheric level: The INNOVAGRO Network www.redinnovagro.in

• At the sub regional level: The PROCIS

• At the local level: El Salvador’s PAF

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INNOVAGRO Network

• It is hemispheric and involves the different stakeholders in the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARSs).

• Very useful tool for strengthening innovation processes in the agrifood sector, through the sharing of experiences.

• The public and private sectors are heavily involved.

• Currently consists of 60 institutions and organizations.

• Information about 300 successful cases is being shared.

• It has developed the Observatory of Institutional Innovations and the Diagnostic Guide of the NARSs. 4

The PROCIs

• They are mechanisms for the technological integration of the NARIs.

• PROCISUR, PROCINORTE, PROMECAFE, SICTA and PROCITROPICOS.

• They operate through networks or platforms, addressing the countries’ research priorities.

• Some of them have been adapting quite well to the new conditions. Others not so well.

• All of them have been establishing important partnerships with global research organizations.

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Family Agriculture Plan in El Salvador

• It has increased smallholder income by improving competitiveness.

• Organized innovation makes it possible to adopt a chains approach in rural territories.

• It encompasses 16,000 producers, strengthening their technical and

management capabilities.

• Extension is carried out via the field schools, adopting the “learning by doing” approach.

• Nearly 80% of the participants in the PAF chains are using all or part of the technologies transferred. 6

Lessons Learned

• Trust makes partnerships and networks work.

• Trust reduces transaction and coordination costs.

• Since the innovations take place at the territorial level, local innovation networks are very important.

• The networks are more successful when geared to market requirements and territorial dynamics.

• The institutional learning processes are complex, slow, and non-linear.

• The leadership is always important…..very important! 7

Important partnerships• Consolidate the leadership of GFAR by means of a bigger presence of the private sector

and family farming within its different entities.

• Strengthen the partnership between IICA and the CGIAR International Centers, promoting a greater presence of the CRPs in LAC.

• Broadening and deepening of south–south cooperation.

• Identify, systematize and disseminate new public-private partnerships in research/extension in LAC.

• Promote more closely coordinated action by the PROCIS, FORAGRO, and NARIs, increasingly opening them up to partnerships with other agricultural stakeholders.

• The international agencies can and should act in a more coordinated manner. 8

Some proposals

• There is an urgent need to promote a global partnership for the development of family farming.

• Agriculture should spearhead the campaign for more efficient water use…..and research and innovation have a vital role to play!!

• Implement a hemispheric strategy to support the modernization of NARIs.

• Need for more and better instruments that support technical cooperation better.

• A common agenda to support research/extension/innovation for all the international agencies working in the Region. 9

Thank you