The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability

Bioscience advances present important opportunities for economic development and sustainable intensification of African agriculture. In the global North, the private sector invests heavily in applied research, whereas in Africa the public sector shoulders the burden of developing research capacity....

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Main Authors: Altshul, Helen J., McMillan, Larelle, Hall, Andrew
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Intellect 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107045
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author Altshul, Helen J.
McMillan, Larelle
Hall, Andrew
author_browse Altshul, Helen J.
Hall, Andrew
McMillan, Larelle
author_facet Altshul, Helen J.
McMillan, Larelle
Hall, Andrew
author_sort Altshul, Helen J.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Bioscience advances present important opportunities for economic development and sustainable intensification of African agriculture. In the global North, the private sector invests heavily in applied research, whereas in Africa the public sector shoulders the burden of developing research capacity. This article explores whether public science agencies should assume an expanded role to approach bioscience capacity using a system lens – developing capability for innovation within the whole system. The article identifies the types of intervention, beyond skills development, research infrastructure and funding that could enhance the potential of bioscience as an innovation driver. Following a summary of trends, a model of the system capacities required for bioscience impact and innovation is proposed and used to analyse a case study from East Africa. The results suggest that a fundamental rethink of the role of public science agencies within the wider biosciences landscape is required, necessitating complementary investments and a more complex network of partnerships across public and private sectors.
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spelling CGSpace1070452024-05-01T08:18:01Z The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability Altshul, Helen J. McMillan, Larelle Hall, Andrew agriculture research Bioscience advances present important opportunities for economic development and sustainable intensification of African agriculture. In the global North, the private sector invests heavily in applied research, whereas in Africa the public sector shoulders the burden of developing research capacity. This article explores whether public science agencies should assume an expanded role to approach bioscience capacity using a system lens – developing capability for innovation within the whole system. The article identifies the types of intervention, beyond skills development, research infrastructure and funding that could enhance the potential of bioscience as an innovation driver. Following a summary of trends, a model of the system capacities required for bioscience impact and innovation is proposed and used to analyse a case study from East Africa. The results suggest that a fundamental rethink of the role of public science agencies within the wider biosciences landscape is required, necessitating complementary investments and a more complex network of partnerships across public and private sectors. 2019-09-01 2020-02-12T08:44:49Z 2020-02-12T08:44:49Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107045 en Limited Access Intellect Altshul, H.J. , McMillan, L. and Hall, A. 2019. The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability. International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development 18(21):105-125.
spellingShingle agriculture
research
Altshul, Helen J.
McMillan, Larelle
Hall, Andrew
The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title_full The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title_fullStr The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title_full_unstemmed The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title_short The role of public research agencies in building agri-food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub-Saharan Africa: The challenge beyond science capability
title_sort role of public research agencies in building agri food bioscience impact and innovation capacity in sub saharan africa the challenge beyond science capability
topic agriculture
research
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/107045
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