Innovation Diffusion in Conservation Agriculture: A Network Approach

Julio Díaz-José, Roberto Rendón-Medel, Bram Govaerts, Jorge Aguilar-Ávila and Manrrubio Muñoz-Rodriguez
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Julio Díaz-José: Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
Roberto Rendón-Medel: Center of Economic, Social and Technological Research on Agribusiness and World Agriculture (CIESTAAM), Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, México
Bram Govaerts: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), México
Jorge Aguilar-Ávila: Center of Economic, Social and Technological Research on Agribusiness and World Agriculture (CIESTAAM), Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, México
Manrrubio Muñoz-Rodriguez: Center of Economic, Social and Technological Research on Agribusiness and World Agriculture (CIESTAAM), Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, México

The European Journal of Development Research, 2016, vol. 28, issue 2, 314-329

Abstract: While discussions promoting networks as a means of enhancing innovation have increased in the past decade, methods for analysing real-world networks for developing countries remain largely undeveloped. In this study, data from stakeholders involved in conservation agriculture (CA) were used to analyse innovations and innovators using a network approach. Results indicate that farmers learn mainly from other farmers, whereas practices are learned from different sources or pathways and adopted step by step. CA is not a package and principles are applied depending on the local context. Actors in the network play different roles in knowledge creation and acquisition. A distinction can be made between prescribed networks where formal relations and vertical structures predominate, and emerging networks based mainly on informal relations and a horizontal knowledge structure. The main conclusion is that applying network analysis helps to identify key stakeholders and facilitate assertive and effective network orchestration.

Date: 2016
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