Innovation in Agricultural Systems
In January 2018, IICA Canada participated in the organization of a learning event by the Food Security Policy Group (FSPG), focused on innovation in agricultural systems. The FSPG is a coalition of Canadian NGOs working on issues of food security, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods around the world. The goal of the workshop was to provide FSPG members with increased understanding of different perspectives on innovation in the international development sector – from government, NGOs, and hearing from end users’ experiences. A wide range of perspectives were represented at the workshop, and some important key lessons emerged. These lessons will be integrated and used by FSPG and its member organizations in future programming. One key message that emerged was that innovation requires patience – success is rarely found immediately, but instead requires investment in time and monitoring to ensure success. Participatory approaches to innovation development can yield positive and long-lasting impacts, and need to be supported and risk-managed. Finally, scaling-up of innovations is a key factor – too often, innovations are developed and then languish between the research and adoption phases – adoption and sharing of innovations must be an integral part of the innovation process.
The workshop was attended by approximately 30 FSPG participants, and featured speakers from Global Affairs Canada, the International Development Research Centre, academic institutions, members of civil society, and farmers. IICA’s own Specialist in the Management of Technological Innovation in Agriculture, Priscila Henriquez, also spoke about IICA’s work in agricultural innovations, highlighting success stories from Latin America and the Caribbean such as IICA’s work with the System of Rice Intensification.
The Representative and the Technical Cooperation Specialist were pleased to have assisted in the organization of this fascinating day, and would like to thank the FSPG for this opportunity!
For more information:
Lindsay Vyvey
lindsay.vyvey@iica.int