Disentangling the experiential learning process of coffee farmers in Uganda’s innovation platforms

Robert Ochago (), Domenico Dentoni, Thomas Lans and Jacques Trienekens ()
Additional contact information
Robert Ochago: WUR - Wageningen University and Research [Wageningen]
Domenico Dentoni: Groupe Sup de Co Montpellier (GSCM) - Montpellier Business School, MRM - Montpellier Research in Management - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - UM - Université de Montpellier
Thomas Lans: WUR - Wageningen University and Research [Wageningen]
Jacques Trienekens: WUR - Wageningen University and Research [Wageningen]

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: Purpose: While new rich learning opportunities emerged through the introduction of Innovation Platforms (IPs) in agricultural value chains, the extent to which IPs enhance farmer experiential learning is still unclear. Design/methodology/approach: This paper brings clarity to the above question by interviewing 91 coffee IP farmers. Data were analyzed through content analysis to generate overarching themes for farmers' experiences, learning activities, and outcomes. Findings: Results reveal that participation in IP learning activities generates farmers' knowledge to cope with coffee value chain challenges. Specifically, farmers' making-meaning of challenges and generating new solutions represents an iteration between individual critical reflection and experimentation of value chain activities. The IPs facilitated multi-directional knowledge flows among farmers by mobilizing necessary resources. Practical implications: As many Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) governments cannot provide sufficient extension support, farmers increasingly rely on IPs whose processes stimulate members' learning commitment and endeavors. Nevertheless, Governments can use these findings to tailor the design and implementation of IPs to farmers' experiential learning processes. Theoretical implications: The study contributes to experiential theory in the context of agriculture by advancing a model on how IPs can accelerate farmers' experiential learning processes based on the challenges experienced. Originality/value: This article extends knowledge of experiential learning in IPs context.

Keywords: Agriculture; coffee value chains; social networks; multi-stakeholder platforms; extension approaches; problem-based learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-09-23
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05119112v1
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 2021, 29 (1), pp.117-148. ⟨10.1080/1389224X.2021.1977664⟩

Downloads: (external link)
https://hal.science/hal-05119112v1/document (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05119112

DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2021.1977664

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().