• Login
    View Item 
    •   OpenDocs Home
    • Institute of Development Studies Research Repository
    • IDS PhD Research
    • IDS PhD Theses
    • View Item
    •   OpenDocs Home
    • Institute of Development Studies Research Repository
    • IDS PhD Research
    • IDS PhD Theses
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Constructing a green revolution: a socio-technical analysis of input-support programmes for smallholder farmers in Western Kenya

    Thumbnail
    Date
    2013
    Author
    Yuksel, Nalan
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Impact
    Abstract
    This thesis presents a critical reflection on what is meant by a „Green Revolution‟ within the current, narrow „productivity-technology fix‟ paradigm. It shows the current focus on productivity is creating a limited view of technology as the principal means to address food insecurity in Africa, as opposed to a more comprehensive view that takes into account economic, social and political factors. The research combines a socio-technical systems approach with an actor-oriented analysis to examine two input-support programmes in Kenya. It focuses on input-support programmes due to the current interest in subsidies as the mechanism to address food insecurity and deliver agricultural technologies to smallholder farmers. It examines the political, social and institutional factors that influence the creation, design and implementation of these programmes. A multi-level approach (global, national and local) is used to map out the key narratives and actor networks operating in and across the different levels to highlight the dynamic interactions as they come together through these programmes. The thesis demonstrates how intermediary factors (institutions, policy and social networks) significantly affect programme outcomes. The two case studies show that policy and practice often diverge through changing actors, networks and funding flows. Each programme implementation is mediated through socially differentiated beneficiaries, creating interactions that unfold in numerous ways due to distinct social, political and economic factors, as well as to unique institutional and delivery mechanisms. The evidence suggests that technology-based programmes that fail to take account of these critical factors will encounter difficulties in uptake. Therefore, policymakers must consider context-specific approaches that appreciate the diversity of local conditions and the importance of socio-economic, institutional and political factors. The underlying message is that the impact of agricultural technologies on the practices and perceptions of smallholder farmers cannot be understood in isolation; end users constantly adapt technologies through complex social interpretations, local institutions and political processes.
    URI
    https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/4344
    Citation
    Yuksel, Nalan (2013) Constructing a green revolution: a socio-technical analysis of input-support programmes for smallholder farmers in Western Kenya. Doctoral thesis, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex.
    More details
    http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/45224/
    Library catalogue entry
    http://bldscat.ids.ac.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=231837
    Rights holder
    The author
    Rights details
    http://www.ids.ac.uk/files/dmfile/IDSOpenDocsStandardTermsOfUse.pdf
    Collections
    • IDS PhD Theses [61]

    About OpenDocs | OpenDocs Policy | Help | Contact Us | Send Feedback | Disclaimer and Cookies
     

     

    Browse

    All of OpenDocsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    About OpenDocs | OpenDocs Policy | Help | Contact Us | Send Feedback | Disclaimer and Cookies