Organization of community-based innovation platforms to facilitate farmer participation in collaborative activities in eastern Uganda.

Abstract

Innovation platforms (IPs) present a relatively novel approach for organizing diverse value chain actors to address critical agricultural challenges faced by smallholder farmers particularly in the developing world. Research on IPs has largely focused on formation and facilitation of functional IPs with minimal attention on how organization of IPs influences actors’ willingness to participate in IP activities. Furthermore, empirical studies have concentrated more on IPs at national and regional levels, than on community level IPs. This study sought to establish how organization of community-based innovation platforms (CB-IPs) promotes active farmer participation in collaborative activities. Specifically, the study assessed: (1) how the structure of community-based innovation platforms facilitated information sharing on the platform, (2) how the collaborative capacity of community-based innovation platforms influenced collaborative activities and benefits to farmers, and (3) the influence of farmers’ perceptions on their willingness to continue participating in collaborative activities of community-based innovation platforms. The study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design using two cases - P’KWI and SOSPPA CB-IPs - engaged in cassava production, processing, and marketing. Qualitative data were collected through 12 focus group discussions and 24 key informant interviews. Collection of quantitative data involved two cross-sectional surveys, the first and the second with random sample sizes of 214 and 231 respectively of farmers in P’KWI and SOSPPA. Findings revealed that information shared on the platform was not aligned to farmers’ information needs, which compromised farmer participation and commitment to CB-IP collaborative activities. The level of cohesion within farmer groups affected information flow irrespective of the hierarchy of the structure adopted by the CB-IPs. Both P’KWI and SOSPPA had high structural and purpose capacities with moderate communication and resource capacities, indicating that the CB-IPs had capacity to sustain multi-actor collaborations. Resource capacity was the most critical in enabling farmers to participate in collaborative activities. In addition, farmers’ favorable past-experiences, positive attitudes, and perceived capacity to participate were significant predictors of farmers’ willingness to continue participating in collaborative activities. The study concluded that cohesion within farmer groups is critical for information sharing rather than the organizational structure of the CB-IPs. Furthermore, building CB-IP collaborative capacity facilitates attracting actors that engage in activities, which are beneficial to farmers, ultimately enhancing farmers’ interest, commitment and willingness to participate in collaborative activities over time.