Grassroots Innovation: Harnessing the Potential of Local Creativity

Since the occurrence of Green Revolution in 1960s, the farm technology development has picked up the pace and we are witnessing unprecedented growth in number of technologies that are being developed and transferred by research institutions. However, we are also witnessing the fact that most of these technologies are inappropriate to the situation and fading away without showing any significant impact on farm productivity and profitability. On the other hand Grassroots innovations are highly effective in addressing the farm production and marketing problems in a sustainable manner utilizing locally available resources. However, the documentation, upscaling and outscalling of such inventions takes place rarely. This situation calls for identification, recognition, upscaling and outscalling of grassroots innovations and integrating them with formal system of technology development. This book provides details of insightful experiences gained in upscaling and outscalling of grassroots innovations and challenges faced in integrating grassroots innovations system with the institutional innovations system. On the basis of experiences of individuals involved in the documentation and upscaling of grassroots innovations, this book also makes an attempt to provide strategies for overcoming these integration challenges. Further, the book provides prospects of farmer-led innovations and farmer participatory research, innovative strategies for doubling farmers income, entrepreneurial innovations and experiences of innovative farmers.…