Political Innovations for ICT Institutionalization in Benin Agricultural System

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a significant role in addressing the challenges in agriculture in many countries. However, the institutionalization of ICT in any country’s agricultural system highly depends on its ICT policies. Benin’s agricultural sector has undergone many policy reforms since its independence in 1960 which caused changes in the orientation of ICT usage. This article aims to analyze ICT integration policies in agriculture in Benin regarding the innovations brought to facilitate its institutionalization. Therefore, three (3) dimensions of national political innovations are explored: innovation propensity, innovation capacity and innovation practice. A qualitative approach was adopted based not only on policy documents analysis such as laws, decrees and projects/programs but also on interviews with 30 key persons involved in the sector. The results showed that: (i) ICT has long been overlooked in agricultural policies in Benin; (ii) Low propensity and capacity was noticed regarding innovation of ICT integration in agriculture from 1960 until 2014. After this period, several innovations were introduced but they are still under innovation practiced. This study shows to researchers and practitioners that high political innovation propensity in the field of ICT integration in agriculture does not guarantee its institutionalization. The three concepts –innovation propensity, innovation capacity and innovation practice are inter-linked with each other in successfully institutionalizing ICT in agricultural sector. In the case of Benin, despite the fact that several innovations have been introduced their institutionalization is lagging behind. The results are useful for ICT policies, researchers and practitioners to better understand the process of ICT integration in agricultural system.