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Wandering off the paths of planned innovation: The role of formal and informal intermediaries in a large-scale irrigation scheme in Morocco

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  • Poncet, J.
  • Kuper, M.
  • Chiche, J.

Abstract

For many years, large-scale irrigation around the world was based on state-driven water management and on a planned innovation process and diffusionist extension services. The purpose of this study is to show that formal extension services are not the only intermediaries of innovation and that local innovations take place at the initiative of farmers even in state-driven irrigation schemes. The study addressed changes in farming systems in a large-scale irrigation scheme in Morocco from two angles: a review of planned innovations and analysis of the actual innovation process at the village level. We show that the implementation of the large-scale irrigation scheme contributed to agricultural development, but often indirectly, and that it was not the only source of innovation. We also show how these results support recent thinking on innovation systems. Today, informal labour, neighbour and marketing networks are the main innovation intermediaries. New practices in agricultural extension are required to facilitate local innovations and to link farmers to more global innovation networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Poncet, J. & Kuper, M. & Chiche, J., 2010. "Wandering off the paths of planned innovation: The role of formal and informal intermediaries in a large-scale irrigation scheme in Morocco," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(4), pages 171-179, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:103:y:2010:i:4:p:171-179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolas Faysse & Mostafa Errahj & Catherine Dumora & Hassan Kemmoun & Marcel Kuper, 2012. "Linking research and public engagement: weaving an alternative narrative of Moroccan family farmers’ collective action," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 29(3), pages 413-426, September.
    2. Naouri, Mohamed & Kuper, Marcel & Hartani, Tarik, 2020. "The power of translation: Innovation dialogues in the context of farmer-led innovation in the Algerian Sahara," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    3. Araujo, Danielle F. & Costa, Raimundo N. & Mateos, Luciano, 2019. "Pros and cons of furrow irrigation on smallholdings in northeast Brazil," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 25-33.
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    5. Mateos, Luciano & dos Santos Almeida, Alexsandro Claudio & Frizzone, José Antônio & Lima, Sílvio Carlos Ribeiro Vieira, 2018. "Performance assessment of smallholder irrigation based on an energy-water-yield nexus approach," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 176-186.
    6. Stür, Werner & Khanh, Truong Tan & Duncan, Alan, 2016. "Transformation of smallholder beef-cattle production in Vietnam," IFPRI book chapters, in: Devaux, André & Torero, Maximo & Donovan, Jason & Horton, Douglas E. (ed.), Innovation for inclusive value-chain development: Successes and challenges, chapter 6, pages 201-228, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Klerkx, Laurens & Aarts, Noelle & Leeuwis, Cees, 2010. "Adaptive management in agricultural innovation systems: The interactions between innovation networks and their environment," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 103(6), pages 390-400, July.
    8. Vilas-Boas, Jean & Klerkx, Laurens & Lie, Rico, 2024. "The unpacking and repacking of agricultural innovation: Embrapa's translation roles and positions in the introduction of the pyramid model and hybrid pigs in Brazil," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    9. Meinzen-Dick, Ruth Suseela & Bernier, Quinn & Haglund, Eric, 2013. "The six "ins" of climate-smart agriculture: Inclusive institutions for information, innovation, investment, and insurance," CAPRi working papers 114, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    10. Charity M. Wangithi & Beatrice W. Muriithi & Raphael Belmin, 2021. "Adoption and Dis-Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture: A Case of Farmers’ Innovations and Integrated Fruit Fly Management in Kenya," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    11. Dolinska, Aleksandra & d'Aquino, Patrick, 2016. "Farmers as agents in innovation systems. Empowering farmers for innovation through communities of practice," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 122-130.
    12. Annosi, Maria Carmela & Ráez, Rosa María Oliva & Appio, Francesco Paolo & Del Giudice, Teresa, 2022. "An integrative review of innovations in the agricultural sector: The roles of agency, structure, and their dynamic interplay," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    13. Dolinska, Aleksandra, 2017. "Bringing farmers into the game. Strengthening farmers' role in the innovation process through a simulation game, a case from Tunisia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 129-139.
    14. Aguilar-Gallegos, Norman & Muñoz-Rodríguez, Manrrubio & Santoyo-Cortés, Horacio & Aguilar-Ávila, Jorge & Klerkx, Laurens, 2015. "Information networks that generate economic value: A study on clusters of adopters of new or improved technologies and practices among oil palm growers in Mexico," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 122-132.
    15. Nyarai M. Mujuru & Ajuruchukwu Obi, 2020. "Effects of Cultivated Area on Smallholder Farm Profits and Food Security in Rural Communities of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.

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