LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (09 December 2024) ~ The agricultural sector faces the dual challenge of feeding a growing global population and adapting to environmental changes while ensuring sustainability. Knowledge is a cornerstone for driving innovation in agriculture, yet existing knowledge management (KM) frameworks often fall short in addressing the complexity and dynamism of agrifood systems.
A novel and comprehensive KM framework, called Agricultural Knowledge Management for Innovation (AKM4I), has been conceptualized to overcome these limitations and enhance innovation processes in agricultural systems. Developed by scientists from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Jahn Research Group, and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the paper was recently recognized with the 2024 Cook Medal, an award given by the Operational Research Society for outstanding contributions to the philosophy, theory, or practice of Knowledge Management.
Innovation through engagement and equity
Published in Knowledge Management Research & Practice (Volume 21), and authored by Andrea Gardeazabal, Tobias Lunt, Molly M. Jahn, Nele Verhulst, Jon Hellin, and Bram Govaerts, the innovative framework focuses on the systemic interactions within Agricultural Innovation System constituents and emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder input and engagement, as well as a more equitable approach to knowledge generation, adaptation, and adoption.
Agrifood systems are intricate, adaptive networks influenced by diverse factors, including climatic conditions, socio-economic dynamics, and ecological interdependencies. Traditional KM frameworks for agriculture have relied on linear, top-down approaches to knowledge transfer, which often fail to address the nuanced realities of these systems. They also frequently overlook critical factors such as power dynamics, trust, and local knowledge integration, hindering equitable and effective innovation.
The AKM4I framework addresses these challenges by fostering collaboration and integrating explicit, implicit, and tacit knowledge across diverse stakeholders. It emphasizes systemic knowledge flows, site-specific adaptability, and reciprocal relationships to enable equitable participation and empower local actors. Key principles of AKM4I include leveraging communication channels, incorporating decision-support tools, addressing power imbalances, and promoting iterative learning through Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, And Learning (MEAL) systems. These principles are designed to foster innovation pathways that reflect the interconnectedness and variability of agrifood systems.
CIMMYT case study
A case study from CIMMYT in Mexico demonstrates the application of the AKM4I framework. CIMMYT’s hub model integrates research platforms, extension areas, and local stakeholders to co-create and adapt agricultural innovations. These hubs emphasize participatory research, farmer empowerment, and site-specific knowledge generation, leading to insightful gains in productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The use of digital tools, such as the AgroTutor mobile app, further supports data-driven decision-making and fosters innovation at scale.
In 2018, CIMMYT’s hubs encompassed 68 research platforms and over 9,000 extension areas, significantly improving crop yields and profitability. For example, maize yields were 21% higher, and profits increased by 41% in side-by-side comparisons with conventional practices. The hubs also utilized ICT tools like mobile applications to provide data-driven recommendations, fostering a more precise and sustainable approach to agriculture.
A blueprint for knowledge management
The AKM4I framework offers a blueprint for transforming how knowledge is generated, shared, and applied in agriculture. By prioritizing collaboration, equity, and adaptability, it enables agri-food systems to respond effectively to challenges, such as unclear goals for system performance, structural gaps in information flow, and dynamics that discourage positive change.
The implementation of this framework can integrate data from diverse sources to model complex agrifood systems, identify tipping points, develop relevant metrics, and support interventions that steer innovation toward positive outcomes. By addressing common pitfalls in knowledge management, frameworks such as AKM4I can close the loop of knowledge creation, enabling continuous evaluation and iteration of innovations, and democratizing access and use of knowledge.