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Agricultural, Science, Technology and Innovative Systems: Case study on floriculture industry in Kenya
African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS) in collaboration with the Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) held a national dissemination workshop and exhibition on 31 March 2005 at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi discussed the findings and recommendations of the case study on "Analysis of agriculture, science, technology and innovation systems: the case of Kenya's floriculture industry" with the key stakeholders in the flower industry. The participants, who were drawn from all the key players in the flower industry validated the research results and concurred on the urgent need to address the issues raised by the study.
The study sought to investigate the process by which
Kenyan flower farmers, interact with each other (both
large and small scale) and other service providers,
supported by government policies and other
organizations play a key role in bringing new products and
processes into economic use.
The study identified the following as weaknesses and recommended that the issues should be addressed if Kenya's flower industry is to maintain its current upward growth:
- Over-reliance on external knowledge
- Weak extension system especially for small scale farmers
- Under-utilized research capacity Lack of a standardized Code of Practice
- Weak links in the innovation system
The participants concurred that the identified gaps in the
innovation system do not allow research to influence the
activities and the farmers to influence the farmers
outcome of science. The participants emphasized that
these gaps should be addressed to allow the government
to direct the future growth of the floriculture industry for
the benefit of all Kenyans.
The study was funded by the Technical Centre for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and conducted by
the ATPS secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Scientific research on healthcare technology