This project report from Wageningen UR (as a contribution to the CGIAR Humid Tropics research program) examines critical issues for reflection when designing and implementing research for development in innovation platforms’. The current document therefore aims to increase awareness about the complexity of research in innovation. The underlying idea is that innovation platforms can facilitate institutional changes and support system innovations through increased interaction, negotiation and learning between stakeholders, including (new) roles of research(ers).  

An innovation platform is a space for learning and change. It is a group of individuals (who often represent organizations) with different backgrounds and interests: farmers, traders, food processors, researchers, government officials etc. The members come together to diagnose problems, identify opportunities and find ways to achieve their goals. They may design and implement activities as a platform, or coordinate activities by individual members. This brief explains what innovation platforms are and how they work, and it describes some of their advantages and limitations.

This is a chapter of the book Innovation Platforms for Agricultural Development edited by Iddo Dror, Jean-Joseph Cadilhon, Marc Schut, Michael Misiko and Shreya Maheshwari.

The chapter is a part of the book Innovation platforms for agricultural development edited by Iddo Dror, Jean-Joseph Cadilhon, Marc Schut, Michael Misiko and Shreya Maheshwari. It introduces the background for the setting up of innovation platforms (IPs), initiation and function of the three IPs in Ethiopian highlands, innovation fund to support fodder development, the role of different actors in scaling up, outcomes and impact of the intervention, and lessons learned.

The presentation was given in January 2009 and introduced why a new approach for livestock development for poverty alleviation was desirable, innovation, innovation systems and value chains, building of innovation platforms, learning-oriented monitoring and evaluation, and scaling up and out.

This brief describe the impact and success stories of the project: Enhancing Smallholder Wheat Productivity through Sustainable Intensification in Wheat-Based Farming Systems of Rwanda and Zambia (SWPSI). This project aims to beneficiate and bring innovations to Smallholder farmers producing wheat and those with the potential to produce wheat under rainfed conditions; local traders, processors and consumers

This brief describes the activities carried out by the International Fund for Agricultural Development  in order to erradicate poverty in Cambodia. Describes the projects that aims to enhance the agricultural innovation in the country and the IFAD's strategy for reaching this goal

This brief describes the activities carried out by the International Fund for Agricultural Development  in order to erradicate poverty in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Describes the projects that aims to enhance the food security and nutrition in the country and the IFAD's strategy for reaching this goal

This report is based on substantive evidence and attempts to provide the kind of analysis that can inform policies, programmes and investments to promote a rural transformation that is inclusive of youth. It examines who rural youth are, where they live, and the multiple constraints they face in their journey from dependence to independence. A distinguishing feature of this report is that it examines rural development in the context of the transformation of rural areas and the wider economy. Opportunities for young women and men begin with a transformation towards a dynamic rural economy.

This brief describes the activities carried out by the International Fund for Agricultural Development  in order to erradicate poverty in The Gambia. Describes the projects that aims to enhance the agricultural innovation in the country and the IFAD's strategy for reaching this goal