Articles
Scientists’ involvement in partnership for generation and dissemination of horticultural technologies and innovation in Africa
Article number
1225_47
Pages
335 – 340
Language
English
Abstract
Inadequacy of research facilities and human capital in horticultural research for development in Africa can be addressed through partnership, networking and social capital development.
This study was embarked upon to determine the extent of involvement of researchers in Africa in south-south partnerships for generation and dissemination of horticultural technologies and innovation for development.
Three out of the 14 proceedings of symposia and conferences organized by the International Society for Horticultural Science held in Africa which addressed general horticulture between 2010 and 2015 (Acta Horticulturae 911, 1007 and 1021) were purposively sampled. 227 published articles in the proceedings were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Many (42.7%) of the scientists had partnership with 2-3 people.
Most (87.2%) of the lead scientists were from Africa.
They partnered with other researchers from Africa only (67.0%), Africa and Europe (6.2%) and Europe only (4.9%). Intra-institutional partnership within the same country accounted for 58.2% while same country inter-institutional partnership accounted for 24.7%. Commodities of research focus were fruits (27.8%) and vegetables (17.6%) while subject matter of research was socio-economics (34.8%) and others (43.7%). There were significant relationships between researchers’ involvement in partnership formation and their affiliation (χ2=64.9, p=0.00), commodity of research focus (χ2=24.4, p=0.02), subject matter of research (χ2=24.8, p=0.00), continent of first author (χ2=23.2, p=0.03), and continent of other authors (χ2=284.0, p=0.00). Researchers in Africa need to network and partner more with researchers from advanced economies to boost horticultural research for development and improvement of livelihood in the continent.
This study was embarked upon to determine the extent of involvement of researchers in Africa in south-south partnerships for generation and dissemination of horticultural technologies and innovation for development.
Three out of the 14 proceedings of symposia and conferences organized by the International Society for Horticultural Science held in Africa which addressed general horticulture between 2010 and 2015 (Acta Horticulturae 911, 1007 and 1021) were purposively sampled. 227 published articles in the proceedings were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Many (42.7%) of the scientists had partnership with 2-3 people.
Most (87.2%) of the lead scientists were from Africa.
They partnered with other researchers from Africa only (67.0%), Africa and Europe (6.2%) and Europe only (4.9%). Intra-institutional partnership within the same country accounted for 58.2% while same country inter-institutional partnership accounted for 24.7%. Commodities of research focus were fruits (27.8%) and vegetables (17.6%) while subject matter of research was socio-economics (34.8%) and others (43.7%). There were significant relationships between researchers’ involvement in partnership formation and their affiliation (χ2=64.9, p=0.00), commodity of research focus (χ2=24.4, p=0.02), subject matter of research (χ2=24.8, p=0.00), continent of first author (χ2=23.2, p=0.03), and continent of other authors (χ2=284.0, p=0.00). Researchers in Africa need to network and partner more with researchers from advanced economies to boost horticultural research for development and improvement of livelihood in the continent.
Publication
Authors
L. Olajide-Taiwo, K.O. Kanu
Keywords
social capital, collaborative research, innovation, horticulture
Groups involved
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Commission Banana
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Commission Cultivar Registration
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
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