MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PLATFORMS STRENGTHENING SELECTION AND USE

OF FODDER TECHNOLOGIES IN ETHIOPIA : SOME LESSONS

Ergano, K., A. Duncan, A. Adie, A. Tedla, G. Woldewahid, Z. Ayele, G. Berhanu and N. Alemayehu

OutlineContextHypothesisApproaches OutcomesLessonsConclusion

Context

Low productivity and subsistence-oriented livestock production are common features in Ethiopia

Feed scarcity is primary constraint to livestock production

Years of unsuccessful efforts to promote uptake of fodder technologies

Premises of Fodder Adoption Project –

Need for Business UnusualRecognize innovation evolves through

continuous interaction among stakeholders

Hypothesis: Fodder scarcity is not just about technologies but also about the collective capacity of a network of individuals and organizations

Use innovation system framework for engagement of multiple actors

Focus: generating innovation rather than mere research products or technologies

Approaches

Technical fodder interventions were used as an entry point

Actors associated with livestock value chain were included in the platform through:– Formal and informal invitations– Personal contacts and– Self interest over the course of the project

implementation A range of value chain issues were

addressed by stakeholders as they emerge

Focus group discussions

Training and arranging supply of appropriate

inputs e.g. seed or planting material

Planted forages in farmers’ fields

Field learning with multiple stakeholders at Mieso, October

2009

11

Seedsourced

44 farmers plant on

own fields

X-bred cows sourced

Farmers purchase

seed

60 farmers plant on

own fields

Milk transport issues voiced

May 2008

Dec 2009

Institutional innovationTechnical intervention

Innovation processes in Ada’a Ethiopia

Fodder options

identified

FAP

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARSFAP

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARS

Farmers

Dairy co-op formed

FAP

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARS

Ethiopian Meat & Dairy

Tech Inst.

Eden FieldSeeds

Land o Lakes

Farmers

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARS

Ethiopian Meat & Dairy

Tech Inst.

Eden FieldSeeds

Land o Lakes

FAPMilk transport negotiations

ongoing

FAP

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARS

FAP

Eden FieldSeeds

Land o Lakes

Ada’a Dairy Co-op

Crop Growplc

Godino DairyCo-op

Farmers

IPMS Ministry (extension)

NARSEthiopian Meat & Dairy

Tech Inst.

Eden FieldSeeds

Land o Lakes

Ada’a Dairy Co-op

Crop Growplc

Godino DairyCo-op

Emerging outcomes

Farmers’ awareness about planted forages improving

Innovation platform dealing with constraints along dairy value chain

A young dairy cooperative supplying milk to market regularly

Local partners taking over the role of stakeholder platform facilitation

Out-growers scheme for forage seeds emerging

Commercial fodder production becoming a competitive business enterprise

Lessons/ObservationsParticipatory selection of priority

farmers’ priority problems Stakeholder platforms should not be

simply a ‘talk shop’Embedding fodder innovation in

livestock value chain issues is critical for successful adoption of forage technologies

Functioning inputs and output markets and basic development infrastructure are key to innovation

Lessons/Observations …Strong convening agency with skilled

personnelPragmatism to adapt to changing

circumstances and uncertaintyTrust, mutual respect and patience,

especially in the face of frustration and slow progress

Innovation processes takes longer than regular tech transfer

Monitoring and self evaluation of the process: meeting logs

Concluding remarks

Stakeholder platforms can foster innovation where market access is good and the range of actors is reasonably broad

Forage development is largely driven by urbanization and markets – platforms can accelerate the process

Need for enhancing learning throughout the broad innovation system at all levels of organization (individual, organization and system wide)

Concrete evidences is needed to showcase and bring large-scale institutional and policy change

Acknowledgement

Thanks!!!