CRDP: Technology and Innovation use in Rural South Africa

Transcription

1 CRDP: Technology and Innovation use in Rural South Africa Tim Hart and Peter Jacobs Parliament SA 7 June 2013 Economic Performance and Development

2 Introduction HSRC contracted by DRDLR to audit technologies used in 8 CRDP sites (Vryheid excluded) 20 wards to be extended to 160 by 2014 Social science that makes a difference

3 Definitions Technology: any tool or technique, product or process, physical equipment or method of doing or making, by which human capability is extended, (Wallender 1979) Product technologies higher productivity or improved quality Process technologies create new or improved products Transaction technologies - facilitate co-ordination, information sharing and market exchange Innovation (novel, value, diffused) activity of invention, adoption, diffusion and adaption of products, processes, marketing strategies and organisational arrangements

4 Methodology A scoping study was undertaken - involved a desktop component, a qualitative fieldwork component and an analysis component. Due to time frame this was a participatory rapid assessment to determine current picture within historical context and local experience. To identify technologies - focus on identifying projects / initiatives that make use of some form of technology Social science that makes a difference

5 Profile of Technologies In 8 Pilot sites activities using some form of technology include 113 examples: 64 projects receiving government and nongovernment support modern technologies 39 initiated prior to onset of CRDP mid local initiatives using modern technologies but with no external support 22 examples of indigenous knowledge Many technologies common across sites mechanisation, VIP latrines, hybrid seed home gardens, brick and block making, various ICTs products or support services

6 Technologies

7 Recommendations Following Findings Effectively use social facilitation processes participation is an action and process not simply a means to achieve consensus Commercially oriented projects must consider existing conditions and challenges historical and current as well as experiences. Build institutional technical and non-technical capacity of project participants and strengthen their relationship with broader economy integration Social science that makes a difference

8 Recommendations Following Findings Encourage and support entrepreneurs the ignored 27 Consider alternative project models that might be more suited- Poverty projects cannot suddenly become commercial - invest in identifying models, organisational arrangements and support. Pilots sites for learning? Establish M&E system that allows for challenges to be identified and addressed so as to ensure interventions have desired impacts numbers say little when quality, lessons and expectations are excluded Social science that makes a difference

9 CRDP Between 2010 and 2012 Access to progress of CRDP is restricted By end wards reached out of proposed 160 (58%) But actual service delivery unclear Predominantly identification of wards, discussions with traditional leaders and councillors, WoP household profiling Only 60 of 92 have been profiled (+90 LR farms) Only 25 status quo reports more or less completed - out of original 29 wards nothing on the remaining 63 Decisions taken by Council of Stakeholders elitist Participation, iterative learning, social cohesion, vibrancy? - are these being achieved

10 Food Security and Capacity Building By 2014: expect food gardens and agri-food parks across 160 wards = 60% of households By 2011: only 1346 food gardens (2% of target) and 2 agrifood parks (5%) By 2011: only 472 rural residents including land reform beneficiaries part of skills development programmes - out of the potential millions living in these areas By 2011: ward residents employed through EPWP and CRDP projects By 2011: NARYSEC youth training target between but what has been achieved

11 Policy Considerations How much support is given to new ideas since CRDP initiated and how much is support to pre-existing and often floundering projects? How much thought is going into conceptualisation in terms of sustainable rural development bigger picture? Development process more important than actual technologies available and introduced there are no universal solutions. Are we building on what people know or simply replacing? There is space for integrating IKS and modern technology - requires acknowledgement, tolerance and willingness to learn What lessons can we learn from local initiatives? How do projects link into the broader rural and national economy?

12 Conclusion So much research exists, so much more is being conducted but what is happening to the results and outputs of this research? What pause for reflection on the CRDP has occurred M&E must be participatory and continuous if fundamental principles of CRDP are to be followed once-off bi-annual assessments are useless exercises Ships turn slowly so change in direction must be gradual and timely.

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