Innovation Centric Extension Services and Information Communication Technologies Benevolence: Implications for Local Innovation Generation and Agripreneurial Promotion for Sustainable Food Systems

Abstract

Innovation generation is central and requisite path to any developmental efforts, in agriculture it is prime and so recognized, but its generation were traditionally expert driven. Extension’s role then, was mainly to transfer technology through a linear model, this is amidst robust facilities, established institutions and experienced farmers that can co-create innovation and thus smoothen adoption. Amidst increasing demand for food systems and need to be resilient the need for more innovations is apparent. Recently, a more robust approach that is participatory, flexible and inclusive is gaining ground and holds great potentials, the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). Regarded both as a facilitator of innovation generation and a precursor for sustainable food systems through expansion of opportunities across Agricultural Value Chains (AVCs). This paper espouses the need for an innovation centric advisory service towards stimulating local innovation generation and utilizing ICTs’. A structured review of relevant literature led to these conclusions. First; connectivity and interactive e-platforms can serve as innovation platforms for stakeholders towards enhancing local innovation generation across AVCs. Second, an innovation centric extension service will aid the generation of local innovation. Thirdly, a need for regulated e-agricultural advisory service is apparent and thus some sort of certification for advisory service facilitators is required.