Enhancing innovation processes through local competitive agricultural technology funds in Uganda-experiences and lessons.

Abstract

Throughout the worl, stakeholders in agriculture are demanding greater participation in the research process. The competitive allocation of public R & D resources to promote institutional pluralism and partnerships in delivering research services currently account over 12% of all agricultural research funding worldwide. the "Client-oriented Agricultural Research and Dissemination Project" was set up by the National Agricultural Research Organization in eastern Uganda, to test locally-governed competitive agricultural technology funds (CATFs) as a means of enhancing innovation processes by strengthening client-orientation in research & dissemination service delivery. Key design criteria for the CATFs included: increased stakeholder involvement in decision-making, management and the funds award process; increased pluralistic provisoin of research & dissemination services; mobilization of under-utilized capacity & infrastructur; Increased use of contractual approaches; and strengthened accountability to clients. Operational procedures are outlined; and lessons learnt, advantages and disadvantages of this approach to research management are discussed.