The Great Lakes region of Central Africa is an area abundant in hills, people and conflicts. Its high altitude and cooler climate make it ideal for agriculture. But soils have been exhausted, spare land is no longer available, and farm households in parts of this region rank among the most food insecure and malnourished on earth. Years of civil conflict have moreover paralysed agricultural advisory and extension services and resulted in poor access to markets. Although there is unclarity about what type of solutions will be effective to address these problems, it is clear that developing, … [Read more...]
Institutionalizing Dialogue in Rwanda Through Innovation Platforms
A platform of farmers, retailers and service providers, civil society organisations, NGOs, government ofï¬cials, and researchers improves livelihoods in Rwanda. Through interaction and collaboration, these groups experiment with various technological and institutional innovations, thereby tackling local agricultural challenges. This experience illustrates the importance of institutionalizing a space where knowledge can be co-created. The high altitude hills and cooler temperatures of the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa provide the ideal conditions for agriculture. However, … [Read more...]
Innovation Platforms Case Study Competition Award and Book Launch Ceremony
On Monday, November 30, a special Humidtropics book launch and award ceremony took place in Kampala, Uganda, in the presence of Humidtropics Director, Kwesi Atta-Krah, the winners of the competition, the editors and authors of the book, and Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa the Government Chief Whip, Republic of Uganda. Resulting from the Innovation Platforms Case Study Competition, the new book entitled Innovation Platforms for Agricultural Development: Evaluating the Mature Innovation Platforms Landscape features eight cases studies – the top three, and those of five other contestants – that … [Read more...]