The major challenges to Africa’s agriculture including low productivity, lack of competitiveness, degradation of natural capital, adverse effects of climate change, huge loses along the value chain, low nutritional quality, and food safety can only can only be surmounted through innovation. A systems perspective to innovation recognizes that all value chain actors can potentially contribute to knowledge co-creation in order to spur much-needed innovations.

Agricultural development programming by governments and development partners need to embrace agricultural innovation system (AIS) concepts, allowing markets to determine research and development priorities and greater participation by the private sector. High performing AIS are key to achieving sustainable agricultural productivity growth and rural incomes. Therefore, AIS perspectives need to be embraced whether in research, extension, or capacity development.

Sensotech is committed to working with various agencies and organizations across Africa to promote and strengthen AIS at national, sub-regional and regional levels.