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Title Innovating a system for producing and distributing hybrid oil palm seedlings to smallholder farmers in Benin
Full text http://edepot.wur.nl/443081
Date 2017
Author(s) Vissoh, Pierre V.; Tossou, Rigobert C.; Akpo, Essegbemon; Kossou, Dansou; Jiggins, Janice
Abstract This article analyses the development of a system for producing and distributing hybrid oil palm seedlings to small-scale famers. The existing seed system had become so corrupted that the seedlings actually planted were largely of unimproved kinds. The article describes institutional experiments carried out by two Innovation Platforms (IPs) in order to improve the oil palm seed system. Theory Guided Process Inquiry was used to document, evaluate and analyse these interventions. The experiments catalysed changes in inter-personal and inter-organisational power relationships that enabled further co-learning and co-construction of understanding and action among key stakeholders in the oil palm domain. The IPs and those who became local champions of seed system innovation, also triggered change in institutional behaviours, technologies, and practices that further improved the integrity of the seed system. Official nursery holders must now be trained, registered and licensed by local government. Farmers are encouraged to source hybrid seedlings only from licensed nurseries. These achievements were then shared and discussed with officials and higher level government leaders, drawing on IP members' pre-existing professional and personal networks. Improvement of the oil palm seed system was included in the government's latest 5-year development plan.
Subject(s) Wageningen School of Social Sciences; Wageningen School of Social Sciences; WASS; WASS; Knowledge Technology and Innovation; Knowledge Technology and Innovation; Kennis, Technologie and Innovatie; Knowledge Technology and Innovation
Language en
Type of publication Article/Letter to editor
Format application/pdf
Source Cahiers d'Etudes et de Recherches Francophones. Agricultures 26 (2017) 1; ISSN: 1166-7699
Rights Wageningen University & Research
Repository Wageningen - University of Wageningen
Added to C-A: 2018-03-07;09:46:53