The origins and implications of using innovation systems perspectives in the design and implementation of agricultural research projects -Some personal observations

In recent years the there has been an increasing recognition of the potential of the innovation systems concept to provide new ways of making more effective use of agricultural research and improve its impact on socially desirable outcomes. However, currently there is only limited [international] experience in how this concept can be operationalised in agricultural research design and implementation. One of the challenges of using this concept is that not only is there no well recognised innovation systems “approach”, but also that there shouldn’t be one either. Blueprints, best practices and tool kits are all an anathema to this perspective. Instead the innovation systems concept presents a set of principles that researchers, planners and entrepreneurs need to operationalise in their own contexts and in ways suited to their own goals.