Demand driven business model that makes innovation systems work effectively and efficiently
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like665 views
The document outlines a draft concept for expanding the eRAILS functions in Africa. It proposes establishing an operational framework and innovation fund to support rural communities. Basic advisory services and a knowledge base would be established to build trust. This information would be used to create a technology platform and define innovation support services. Young professionals would then initiate projects with local businesses and organizations, and funds would be committed to provide the support services needed to implement the projects. The goal is to support agricultural innovation that improves local practices and livelihoods in a sustainable way.
Demand driven business model that makes innovation systems work effectively and efficiently
- 1. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security Out-scaling of eRAILS2 Expanding eRAILS functions “Draft concept based on a demand driven business model that makes innovation systems work effectively and efficiently” Elaborated by the eRAILS 2 Team Presented by Eria Bwana-Simba 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Accra, Ghana 15-20 July 2013
- 2. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security • Lessons learnt • Outline of the concept • Next steps
- 3. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security Scope of questions and answers • Many answers are based on standard green revolution technologies that require the purchase of agro-chemicals that are not available or too expensive for rural poor farmers. • Farmers are concerned about the negative impact that agro-chemicals might have on the environment, their health and on consumers. • Many problems cannot be solved at farm and field level and require solutions at community level. • Many solutions are only feasible if applied at large scale Conclusions • There is a need for research that departs from the understanding of the actual local practice and seeks to improve it by the development of locally adapted solutions that consider the ecological impact and the socio-economic conditions. • There is a need for demand driven innovation support services for business and community development. Lessons learnt
- 4. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security Lessons learnt Quality of answers • Answers from different countries to a specific problem are rather similar but vary in quality. Conclusion • There is a potential to make considerable economies of time and money by providing a regional technology platform with high quality responses to common problems. Engaging young professionals • We only reached a very limited number of young professionals • Delays in implementation are caused by problems at higher level Conclusion • There is room for the improvement of the approach for the identification and engagement of young professionals. • Collaboration with technical colleges and social networking are valid options.
- 5. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security 10 Concept for out-scaling info work money xaction Investors 2 Innovation Fund Rural Communities 3 9 7 Innovation Support Services 7 Experts Technology Platform 6 6 Local archives 5 5 Young Professionals & Special agents Knowledge base 4 4 SMEs & CBOs 8 8 8 11 11 Operational framework1 5. Create community knowledge hubs: Establish Q&S archives and provide results from the analysis of data of the basic services. 1. Establish an operational framework: Form a coordination unit, establish knowledge management services and a network of young professionals. 2. Establish an innovation fund: Private and public investors pool funds. 3. Commit funds for the provision of basic advisory services and the establishment of the knowledge base (eRAILS2) 4. Provide basic services, establish knowledge base and build trust (eRAILS2): 11. Payment: The innovation fund pays all actors (experts, young professionals and agents) upon delivery 6. Develop the technology platform: Experts explore the knowledge base, assess the potentials for innovation, assemble information on relevant technologies and elaborate technology packages. 7. Define voucher based Innovation Support Services: Experts translate technology packages into voucher based Innovation Support Services 8. Initiate projects of SMEs & CBOs: Young professionals initiate innovation projects of SMEs and CBOs in communities. They plan for the provision of Innovation Support Services (ISS) for projects of SMEs and CBOs. Experts provide feedback for improvement. 10. Provide ISS for implement of projects of SMEs and CBOs business development 9. Commit funds for ISS
- 6. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security 1. Complete the services (the eRAILS project) 2. Analyze data and evaluate results 3. Evaluate the potential linkages with DONATA (IPTAS) 4. Refine the concept in interaction with the eRAILS2 and DONATA team 5. Refine the business model in collaboration with partners that engages all partners along the value chain 6. Formulate recommendations for the improvement of the operational framework e.g.: transform the eRAILS system into a technology platform providing information on Innovation Support Services for value chains. 7. Explore funding opportunities at local and national level Proposed next steps
- 7. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security 1. Establish an operational framework: Form a coordination unit, establish knowledge management services and a network of young professionals. 2. Establish an innovation fund: Private and public investors pool funds. 3. Commit funds for the provision of basic advisory services and the establishment of the knowledge base (eRAILS2) 4. Provide basic services, establish knowledge base and build trust (eRAILS2): • Explore available services and expertise in communities • Organize and train community teams • Launch the information exchange and site characterization services • Create a knowledge base: Systematic recording of data and information that is gathered during the provision of basic services. 5. Create community knowledge hubs: Establish Q&S archives and provide results from the analysis of data of the basic services. Outline of the concept
- 8. 6TH AFRICA AGRICULTURE SCIENCE WEEK & FARA GENERAL ASSEMBLY Africa Feeding Africa through Agricultural Science and Innovation Information & Knowledge for Food Security 6. Develop the technology platform: Experts explore the knowledge base, assess the potentials for innovation, assemble information on relevant technologies and elaborate technology packages. 7. Define voucher based innovation support services: Experts translate technology packages into voucher based Innovation Support Services (ISS) by defining workflows, costs and outputs. 8. Initiate projects with SMEs and CBOs: Young professionals initiate innovation projects of SMEs and CBOs in communities. They plan for the provision of Innovation Support Services (ISS) for projects of SMEs and CBOs. Experts provide feedback for improvement. 9. Commit funds for ISS 10.Provide ISS for implement of projects of SMEs and CBOs 11.Payment: The innovation fund pays all actors (experts, young professionals and agents) upon delivery Draft concept