Routledge Agriculture Innovation Systems in Asia: Towards Inclusive Rural Development

This book looks at agricultural systems and rural economies in Asia through the prism of alternative innovation systems, alternative public policy and institutional changes. The massive shifts within the agricultural economy in Asia, geared towards increasing production, has had a direct effect on the livelihood of a large mass of people in rural societies, causing financial and social distress. This book explores a wide range of solutions, such as the role of education, improving technical skills and human capital, along with interactive learning in R&D, harnessing ICTs and institutional innovations, to see how these problems can be alleviated. The volume looks at how these methods can help formulate alternative ways to build sustainable and inclusive agricultural societies, ensure food security, sustainable growth and agricultural productivity. This book, rich in theoretical and empirical matter, will be useful for academics and researchers interested in agricultural innovation, development studies and agricultural economics. It will also be of interest to policymakers and thinktanks working towards inclusive social development and sustainability in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Review ‘Focusing on South Asia along with China and a few other countries, this book adopts an ingenious approach to agricultural innovation, almost reminiscent of the pioneering Ester Boserup's work, and the national innovation system from Nathan Rosenberg's early writings. The two editors have done a beautiful editorial job. The book should be a requisite reading for all scholars in this discipline.’ ―Donghyu Yang, Professor Emeritus, Seoul National University, South Korea ‘National Innovation Systems for Agriculture in Asia; Towards Inclusive Rural Development, provides reasons why the research, technology and innovation extension systems in developed countries are not applicable to the models for inclusive and sustainable agricultural development in developing countries. It presents the theoretical and empirical studies of alternative thinking to achieve inclusive and sustainable agricultural development and public policy among developing countries. They cover a wide range of issues including the importance of education, technical skills and human capital, interactive learning in R&D, harnessing ICTs, and institutional innovation in India. This book, in its breadth and depth, makes a major contribution to arguing what is essential for agriculture innovation system in Asia.’ ―Ryuhei Wakasugi, Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University and President, University of Niigata Prefecture, Japan ‘The volume consists of fifteen chapters and a brilliant introduction by the editors. Their interdisciplinary and diverse perspective increase the richness of the volume. The volume focuses on issues related to innovations, institutions, social capital, coordination, sustainability and inclusive rural transformation in the context of livelihood issues. I am sure that the volume will be very useful for researchers, faculty and policy makers in the Indian sub-continent.’ ―Kiran Pandya, Professor, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, India About the Author Lakhwinder Singh is Professor at the Department of Economics and Founding Coordinator, Centre for Development Economics and Innovation Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala, India. Anita Gill is currently serving as Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, India.