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Tropentag, September 19 - 21, 2016 in Vienna, Austria

"Solidarity in a competing world - fair use of resources"


Stakeholders' Participation in Innovation Platforms of Humidtropics in West Africa: Implications on Livelihood Outcomes

Latifou Idrissou1, Herve Bisseleua2, Adebayo Ogunniyi3, Djana Mignouna1, Peter Olurotimi4, David Obisesan1

1International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria
2World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya
3University of Ibadan, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Nigeria
4Obafemi Awolowo University, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Nigeria


Abstract


Key to improving livelihood outcomes is implementation of innovations target at boosting productivity and income of concerned households. This attempt informed a CGIAR research programme with a focus of provision of integrated innovation platforms to enhance improved livelihoods.The programme is designed to work in divers selected agro-ecologies, market conditions, and farming systems to develop innovations, integrating increased productivity, improved market performance, and sustainable management of the natural resource-base in the region. We assessed livelihood outcomes of stakeholder participants and non-participants in the Innovation Platforms established by Humidtropics, a CGIAR research programme on integrated systems for the humid tropical region in Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 200 stakeholders comprising 93 participants and 107 non-participants. Data were collected using structured questionnaire on socio-economic characteristics and five livelihood asset capitals (social, natural, financial, human and physical) of the stakeholders. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and sustainable livelihood model. The results showed that the livelihood asset of the participants (0.72) was found to be significantly higher (χ2= 3.732, p < 0.10) than that of the non-participants (0.45). The results further revealed remarkable increase from 0 to 0.77 and 0.33 to 0.82 for human capital and social capital respectively, as stakeholders participate in Innovation platforms for research and development. The policy message from this revelation is simply succinct: further investment should be made in the establishment and strengthening of innovation platforms that enable the development, effective dissemination and adoption of agricultural innovations, thus fostering improved livelihood, alleviate poverty and reduce food insecurity.


Keywords: Humidtropics, innovation platforms, livelihood outcomes, participation, West Africa


Contact Address: Latifou Idrissou, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, e-mail: L.Idrissou@cgiar.org


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