Project description

This assignment was commissioned by NR International Limited as part of their DFID-funded Research into Use Programme (RIUP). The overall programme is designed to address the widespread concern that much agricultural research is not utilised effectively. Specifically the purpose of the Research Into Use (RIU) Programme is to:

• Maximise the poverty reducing impact of previous research including Renewable Natural Resources Research funded by the UK Department for International Development.
• Significantly increase understanding of how the promotion and widespread use of such research can contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth.

Andrew Barnett led a Country Assessment Team which visited Rwanda between 29th January and 13th February 2007 in order to:

• Determine whether there are opportunities for RIU engagement in Rwanda between April 2007 and March 2011 with a budget on average of £0.75million per annum over 4 years.
• Identify and assess a network of potential partners and ways of working with them which address the needs of the poor and which fit the RIU purpose and principles – these potential partnership networks are defined by NR International as “innovation platforms”

The team concluded that the prospects for RIU in Rwanda were very good. An intervention strategy was proposed that was based on the situation in the country and current thinking on “innovation systems”. The report was approved by NR International and DFID in March, and the next stages of implementation are under consideration with the Government of Rwanda and NR International. A copy of the report will be made available by NR International in due course.