The solution was also accompanied by an innovation platform (IP) that helped on guiding principles to adopting the solution. The platform includes clusters of wheat growing farmers, private and public seed producers, agri-input suppliers, extension services, NARS researchers, rural micro-finance institutions, agricultural banks, policymakers and other stakeholders come together to network, learn and discuss the process across the value chain from production to marketing.
High participation of institutions involved
Diversity of institutions
Groundbreaking approach as related to innovation
Private sector engagement
The Innovation Platform approach enabled to bring multiple stakeholders together. It enabled rapid technology development, promotion and diffusion and allowed the production of complementary innovation to accompany the solution in its development.
Elite yields trails and participatory engagement from farmers
Innovation Platform
Cactus network
Facilitates business development by sharing experiences from all over the world in all aspects of cactus use including livestock feeding, human consumption and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Strong partnerships and collaboration around the network.
Knowledge sharing within and across the network
Facilitate the collection and utilization of germplasm.
Work with national partners to improve technical capability.
Exchanges through Dgroup as an active platform where people from different countries worldwide who are interested in cactus pear can post any question/ share any information related to cactus pear requirement.
Implementations of synergies for further research findings.
Merging individual efforts and collective efforts.
The creation of clear technical documents can foster knowledge sharing, collaboration and knowledge transfer to rural people. Not only on a collective level but also individual and national level to promote the importance of cactus pear. The regional coordinators should promote the establishment of joint projects between countries that share common problems related to cactus pear. Strong agreements and legal frameworks should be established between the implementing network institutions and other stakeholders interested in promoting, developing and implementing cactus. Through this cooperation it is important to develop appropriate cultural techniques that will result in both yield increase and environmental protection according to specific problems in a given area.
Integrated and participatory research and development
An integrated research and development program should then be designed and implemented involving local communities, institutions, and decision-makers, taking into consideration capacity building, preventing inequality, local specifics, dry area ecosystems and understanding specific needs of local communities.
Motivation and promotion of awareness among the people with regard to the activity objectives and the ways to achieve them are essential.
Understanding the specific needs of a local community or a group of beneficiaries is critical in designing and implementing an appropriate system.
Institutional capacity building, water resource management policies, and management and maintenance programs are the keys to success.
Dry area ecosystems are generally fragile and have a limited capacity to adjust to change.
SI provides benefits to farmers such as higher incomes, lower risks, increases water productivity, and has a positive spill-over effect in modern technology adoption (seed and fertilizer). However, its implementation must ensure that farmers understand the practice and how to operate/manage it properly. Most important is determining best time to irrigate and the right amounts to maximize water use efficiency and productivity. Integration of cultural practices and improved varieties is important to achieve best results. Incentives are provided to adopt the technology of drip irrigation, helping modern technologies adoption.
