Multi-level analysis of actors’ interaction in maize innovation system in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is a crucial aspect of Ethiopia's economy, and innovations in the field, especially those related to maize production, are vital for improving smallholder farmers’ food security. This study examined actors and their interactions at different levels of aggregation in improved maize varieties. To achieve this objective, perspectives on sustainability transition have been integrated into the innovation system, social network perspectives, and a multi‐level power framework. Approximately 49 actor organizations were selected at niche, regime and landscape levels through purposive sampling using the snowball technique. Focus group discussions (FGD) with farmers and key informant interviews with selected organizations were used to collect data. The social network analysis approach was employed to analyze actors’ interactions and their influences on the generation, dissemination and utilization of improved maize varieties. The findings reveals that agricultural extension service providers and government seed enterprises such as the Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Amhara Seed Enterprise, a regime level actor that influence the generation, dissemination and utilization of improved maize varieties. Given the priority that the Ethiopian government has placed on achieving food security by strengthening private sectors in the promotion of improved maize varieties, the findings of this study may suggest the need to involve/engage private actors at regime level to foster interaction among governmental and non-governmental actors for a sustainable supply of quality improved maize varieties.