Table Of ContentTechnology Development
Assistance for Agriculture
The DFID Research into Use Programme (RIU) has been a 6 year measure
designed to scale out results from earlier DFID funded research.
Technology Development Assistance for Agriculture reviews part of this
programme as a case study of the broader issue of technology development
for Africa. Controversially, it critiques current international technology
development assistance and focuses on the potential role of the private
sector in agricultural technology development, as well as providing insights
for future science policy and practice.
The book focuses on the RIU Best Bets Africa sub-programme. This
identified promising proposals to take existing agriculture research
products and put these into use in ways that would benefit the poor in
developing countries. The sum set aside for this was £5 million. The
empirical sections of the book cover project selection, progress and
programme management over the 2009–2012 period, with special
attention paid to lessons learned that may have implications for future
cognate technology development assistance.
This topical book gives direct evidence of meeting objectives and
delivering real changes in technology development for Africa to postgraduate
students, researchers, international bodies, NGOs, policy makers and
government organisations working on natural resource management,
technology development assistance and low income country agriculture.
Norman Clark is Professor of Innovation Systems and Development,
Open University, and Senior Adviser to the DFID Research into Use
Programme, UK.
Andy Frost is Deputy Director for DFID Research into Use Programme,
University of Edinburgh, UK.
Ian Maudlin is an Honorary Professor, College of Medicine & Veterinary
Medicine, University of Edinburgh and Director of DFID Research into
Use Programme, UK.
Andrew Ward is a consultant based in Zambia and the UK.
Routledge Explorations in Development Studies
1. The Domestic Politics of Foreign Aid
Erik Lundsgaarde
2. Social Protection in Developing Countries
Reforming Systems
Katja Bender, Markus Kaltenborn and Christian Pfleiderer
3. Formal Peace and Informal War
Security and Development in the Congo
Zoë Marriage
4. Technology Development Assistance for Agriculture
Putting Research into Use in Low Income Countries
Norman Clark, Andy Frost, Ian Maudlin and Andrew Ward
Technology Development
Assistance for Agriculture
Putting research into use in
low income countries
Norman Clark, Andy Frost,
Ian Maudlin and Andrew Ward
First published 2013
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa
business
© 2013 Norman Clark, Andy Frost, Ian Maudlin and Andrew Ward
selection and editorial material
The right of Norman Clark, Andy Frost, Ian Maudlin and Andrew
Ward to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by
them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British
Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Technology development assistance for agriculture : putting research
into use in low income countries / edited by Norman Clark ... [et al.].
p. cm. -- (Routledge explorations in development studies ; 4)
Includes bibliographical references.
1. Agricultural assistance--Developing countries. 2. Agricultural
development projects--Developing countries. I. Clark, Norman. II.
Series: Routledge explorations in development studies ; 4.
HD1431.T395 2013
338.198--dc23
2012045693
ISBN: 978-0-415-82697-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-82702-7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-52489-3 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon by
Saxon Graphics Ltd, Derby
‘An inspirational source of ideas on how to translate research results into economic
outputs. This book is an essential handbook for policy makers, practitioners and
students of innovation.’
Professor Calestous Juma, Harvard Kennedy School, USA
‘This book provides an excellent analysis of an attempt on the part of British overseas
aid to deal with a major issue confronting the small farmer in low income countries:
how best to translate good science into sustainable innovation and development. It
should be essential reading for those involved in development policy.’
Professor Sir Gordon Conway, Imperial College London, UK
‘This book probes the critical question of why the benefits of scientific knowledge
have not been enjoyed equally by region and socio-economic class. Drawing from the
Best Bets programme, innovative strategies of how to put research into use for the
benefit of disenfranchised rural communities are addressed. The lessons learned are
instrumental to the successful implementation of future development investments.’
Professor Judi W. Wakhungu, African Centre for Technology Studies, Nairobi, Kenya
This(cid:2)page(cid:2)intentionally(cid:2)left(cid:2)blank
Contents
List of illustrations viii
List of abbreviations ix
Preface and acknowledgements xiii
1 Technology development for agriculture; broad context 1
2 Science policy and the knowledge market 18
3 Research into use programme 32
4 Biotechnology projects 51
5 NGO-led projects 73
6 Other projects 93
7 Putting research into use: RIU Best Bet programme 115
Appendix 1: RIU discussion paper series 138
Appendix 2: RNRRS projects 143
Bibliography 168
Index 175
List of illustrations
Figures
2.1 Protein engineering club 22
2.2 A simple communications system 25
3.1 Output 1 36
Tables
3.1 RIU Africa country programmes 38
3.2 Proposals presented to panel in Nairobi on 27 November 2009 42
4.1 Expected beneficiaries 57
6.1 Gender impact 99
6.2 Comic stories 2010/2011 105
6.3 Veterinary care provision by district 111
7.1 Past DFID/ODA funding for Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis
(1980–2006) 119
7.2 Best Bet enterprise development 124
7.3 Comparative improvements of seed priming/fertiliser
technology 125
7.4 European universities 128
7.5 RIU support from African universities 129
7.6 LIC university capacity building 131
List of abbreviations
ACDI/VOCA Agricultural Cooperative Development International/
Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance
ACTS African Centre for Technology Studies
AECF Agriculture Enterprise Challenge Fund (DFID)
AFRISA Africa Institute for Strategic Animal Resource Services and
Development
AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
ASARECA Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in
Eastern and Central Africa
AVRDC Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre (now
known as the World Vegetable Centre)
BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
BCA Bio Control Agent
BecA Biosciences east and central Africa
BMGF Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
BVM Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme
CABE Centre for Africa Bio-Entrepreneurship
CABI Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International
CAII Centre for Agricultural Industry Ltd
CBAF Community-Based Armyworm Forecasting
CBO Community Based Organisation
CDF Community Development Fund (Kenya)
CEPA Cambridge Economic Policy Associates
CGIAR Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research
CIAT International Centre for Tropical Agriculture
CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
CORAF Counseil Oust et Centre Africain pour la Developpment
Agricoles (now known as West and Central African Council for
Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD)
CPP Crop Protection Programme (under the DFID RNRRS)
CRD Central Research Department (DFID)
CRT Central Research Team (DFID)
