Karongi rural innovation platform

The Karongi Rural Innovation Platform was set up in November 2008. It aims to enhance capacity to innovate through strengthening existing community-based organisations and promoting uptake of new technologies (agro-processing; small scale hillside irrigation). The process was demand driven: AJEEMAC (local NGO) had supported previous innovative initiatives in Karongi District related to community organization and agro-processing.

The Platform wanted to promote simultaneously:

• crop diversification (new products such as red pepper)
• value addition to local agriculture products through agro-processing
• access to new markets

Six 'innovation axes' were also identified:

• communication/Information
• agricultural input supply
• agro-processing
• irrigation
• micro-finance/credit
• capacity building improvement of organisation

Through an intensive facilitation process, the Platform was able to reach agreement on a more focused agenda:

• piloting a small scale hillside irrigation scheme for vegetable/fruits production
• scaling-up this experience with local and export vegetable market as a target.

A seven stage development process was put in place to set up the platform:

• Initial contacts with AJEMAC as champion - set up first meeting
• introduction to local authorities: meeting with key district staff and politicians
• organisation of two stakeholder workshops to understand the stakeholders,
• launch of the Platform in November 2008: agree priorities and elect committee
• initial capacity strengthening of the Platform
• support to small-scale hillside irrigation for vegetable production: Following the training by an international process facilitator sent by RIU in June 2009, the Karongi Innovation Platform initiated a pilot small scale Hillside irrigation scheme for production of high market value vegetables in Gitesi, Bwishyura and Rubengera sectors, Karongi District

Hillside irrigation is not developed in Rwanda despite availability of water resources. The micro project was assessed as innovative due to the following features:

• market opportunity for a youth 'innovation Cell' that initiated production of handmade irrigation pumps at an affordable price
• commitment from farmers to contribute in the maintenance of the hillside irrigation infrastructures
• demand for new knowledge on vegetable production under irrigation during the dry season
• competitive advantage of supplying Kigali city market with vegetables when competitors are not in production phase
• open opportunity to access export market for red pepper through a partnership with a Rwandese business company that is already in negotiation with the platform.

Platform self assessment: Following the RIU decision to phase down its direct support, the Platform held a self-assessment workshop on 10-11 November 2009 in order to assess the progress made and to agree on the future of the platform. Karongi Platform members re-affirmed their commitment to continue platform activities and mobilise other potential members to join them.

During the planning workshop in Rwamagana on 26 August 2009, representatives of the Karongi platform expressed an impression of a strong commitment to continue operations and plan to hold a workshop at the end of September 2009 to discuss how they should continue.

Strengths Decision to continue platform activities even after end of RIU direct support Commitment of an active champion Enthusiasm high for innovation platform Secured support from local authorities 'Creativity groups' part of the platform. Innovative initiatives are part of platform.

Weaknesses No clear clarity on what exactly the platform should achieve in the long run: Business plan not yet developed. Role in strengthening demand for research output not fully developed Role in policy dialogue not fully developed Roles (contribution) of members on the platform not clear and there is limited understanding of how an Innovation platform should operate

Opportunities The Support Project to National Extension System (PASNVA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources is providing support to a Platform of actors operating in the agriculture sector in Karongi District: There is space for synergy between the two platforms. Conducive environment for innovations Government support for horticulture development and export promotion. Support by district authorities

Threats Inadequate involvement of the identified private investor in vegetable production for export High dependence on the Platform champion