Enhancing Farmers-Led Innovation Processes in Sub Sahara Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria

The literature and research on innovation have in the past mostly described innovation as a linear, top-down process where technology was considered to be generated and then transferred to farmers for adoption. This approach is being challenged recently by the idea that innovation is a non-linear process which encourages the recognition of various actors with diversified knowledge within innovation systems. The combination of the two innovation systems (exogenous and endogenous) is important in enhancing the two-way process of exchanging ideas which would make the farmer’s innovation strength to be recognised and improved. Failure to recognise farmers-led innovations would make a shift from the technology transfer (linear) to innovation processes difficult. This is mainly due to better understanding of the farmers on how their environment works. This paper examines various agricultural innovation processes that have occurred five or more years in Kano, Nigeria with particular interest to farmer-led innovation and clear understanding of the sources of ideas and the benefits derived. A workshop (48 participants) and semi-structured interview (40 farmers) were used to collect data for identification of exogenous and endogenous innovations. Some of the questions raised for the actor identification exercise emanate from the Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (RAAKS) tools for actor and innovations identification. Representative innovations were selected out of the exogenous and endogenous innovations identified. Some of the exogeneous innovations identified are; sole cropping, strip cropping, close spacing, improved storage, improved seeds, and fertiliser application. The endogenous innovations identified are; mixed cropping, wider spacing, use of pepper and ash, use of local seeds and traditional fertiliser application. Although the data was collected in the same state, there exists some variations in the use of innovation between the two areas. Apart from the exogenous innovations taken to the farmers, they were capable of developing more innovations to satisfy their ecological and economic needs. Both innovations processes were practiced by the farmers simultaneously. The ability of the farmers to modify exogenous innovations was impressive and would promote farmers involvement in various innovation processes.