Stimulating Innovation Systems in Natural Resource Management in Western Ethiopia: Realities and Recommendations

Abstract

Practitioners and researchers alike argue that innovation is a product of the interaction, joint action and collaboration of a number of actors set around a given task. But practical extension system treats innovation as a set of technologies provided to farmers. In view of the agreeable concept, innovation implies more of interaction than mere practice that appears new to a given community. Development of agriculture is directly correlated with potential of natural resource. According to this diagnostic study, the impact of NR depletion on productivity is becoming a concern; and the land tenure policy which made natural resource a public good is the other fact that entails actors' joint action. This requires enlargement of institutional space to treat Natural Resource Management (NRM) in a system approach. This driving fact allows technological improvements, helps to work beyond technological induction, ensures the need for system approach; help actors discharge responsibilities with effectiveness, and keeps innovation platform active. Realities indicate that farmers view their participation in NRM planning, implementation and innovation as inactive. Their practices either traditional or based on instructive campaign. They have minimal or no role in the process while they understand participation makes a better achievement. According to farmers, various NRM actors are in the area. DAs, experts, administrators, NGOs, researchers and university professionals were mentioned. DAs on their part have the view that their efforts are not so active as earlier. As commented by farmers, they lost commitment; their attempts are hardly to make a change. Incentives are overlooked, their job satisfaction is lost and directives are rarely developmental. According to DAs, much of their time is spent on nonagricultural agendas. Technology diffusion, training, farmer visits, farm related problem identifications, are now said than done.

Experts agree on demoralized feelings of DAs, even if they state that they are offering technical trainings for DAs. DAs inform that trainings are not technical, but are transmission of administrative instructions. All interviewed actors indicated that there is potential stakeholder with varying level of responsibility but the link between them doesn't imply existence of innovation platform. The study indicates technological development per se cannot bring about sustainable change in NRM and hence is livelihoods. Thus, it is recommended that institutional and technological linkage must be in place paving the way for actor-roles linkage that sustains in innovation system.