Participatory appraisal of institutional and political constraints and opportunities for innovation to address parasitic weeds in rice

Abstract

Parasitic weeds in smallholder rice production systems, of which Striga asiatica, Striga hermonthica and
Rhamphicarpa fistulosa are the main representatives, form an increasing problem for food and income
security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The objective of this paper is to identify institutional and political
constraints and opportunities for innovation to address parasitic weed problems in rice. Constraints and
opportunities for innovation were studied across three nested systems: the parasitic weed control system,
the crop protection system, and the agricultural system.
Multi-stakeholder workshops, interviews and surveys were held to gather data on key constraints
faced by different stakeholder groups across three parasitic weed infested study sites in both Tanzania
and Benin. The results demonstrate that in both countries, the majority of institutional and political
constraints relate to the functioning of the broader crop protection and agricultural systems and not
specifically to parasitic weeds. Although differences were observed between the two countries and the
different stakeholder groups, the majority of constraints perceived by the stakeholders were caused by a
lack of capabilities and resources and a limited access to credit. Awareness raising of parasitic weed
problems among farmers, extension and crop protection officers at the local level, combined with
improved input and service supply and enhanced agricultural education and training curricula at the
national level, were identified as important elements for improvement. More structural collaboration
between key stakeholder groups is expected to contribute to a better recognition of agricultural problems,
like that of parasitic weeds in rice, and a more timely identification of feasible solutions.Parasitic weeds in smallholder rice production systems, of which Striga asiatica, Striga hermonthica and
Rhamphicarpa fistulosa are the main representatives, form an increasing problem for food and income
security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The objective of this paper is to identify institutional and political
constraints and opportunities for innovation to address parasitic weed problems in rice. Constraints and
opportunities for innovation were studied across three nested systems: the parasitic weed control system,
the crop protection system, and the agricultural system.
Multi-stakeholder workshops, interviews and surveys were held to gather data on key constraints
faced by different stakeholder groups across three parasitic weed infested study sites in both Tanzania
and Benin. The results demonstrate that in both countries, the majority of institutional and political
constraints relate to the functioning of the broader crop protection and agricultural systems and not
specifically to parasitic weeds. Although differences were observed between the two countries and the
different stakeholder groups, the majority of constraints perceived by the stakeholders were caused by a
lack of capabilities and resources and a limited access to credit. Awareness raising of parasitic weed
problems among farmers, extension and crop protection officers at the local level, combined with
improved input and service supply and enhanced agricultural education and training curricula at the
national level, were identified as important elements for improvement. More structural collaboration
between key stakeholder groups is expected to contribute to a better recognition of agricultural problems,
like that of parasitic weeds in rice, and a more timely identification of feasible solutions.Parasitic weeds in smallholder rice production systems, of which Striga asiatica, Striga hermonthica and
Rhamphicarpa fistulosa are the main representatives, form an increasing problem for food and income
security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The objective of this paper is to identify institutional and political
constraints and opportunities for innovation to address parasitic weed problems in rice. Constraints and
opportunities for innovation were studied across three nested systems: the parasitic weed control system,
the crop protection system, and the agricultural system.
Multi-stakeholder workshops, interviews and surveys were held to gather data on key constraints
faced by different stakeholder groups across three parasitic weed infested study sites in both Tanzania
and Benin. The results demonstrate that in both countries, the majority of institutional and political
constraints relate to the functioning of the broader crop protection and agricultural systems and not
specifically to parasitic weeds. Although differences were observed between the two countries and the
different stakeholder groups, the majority of constraints perceived by the stakeholders were caused by a
lack of capabilities and resources and a limited access to credit. Awareness raising of parasitic weed
problems among farmers, extension and crop protection officers at the local level, combined with
improved input and service supply and enhanced agricultural education and training curricula at the
national level, were identified as important elements for improvement. More structural collaboration
between key stakeholder groups is expected to contribute to a better recognition of agricultural problems,
like that of parasitic weeds in rice, and a more timely identification of feasible solutions.