Triple Helix Horticulture Innovation Platform in Uganda
In MSM’s OKP project “Strengthening skills and training capacity in the horticulture sector in Uganda” a triple helix platform on horticulture innovation is being established. The platform is a partnership between academia, government and industry.
The main activities of the platform are: i) Information sharing; ii) Joint project activities; iii) Developing short-term strategy for horticulture (sub) sector growth and; iv) Institutionalizing the partnership for long term benefits. The platform was launched in April 2021 and since this launch several activities have taken place. During the launch, three key priority areas were identified on which the platform will focus, namely; Knowledge and Skills gaps, Marketing and Innovation. For each priority area a lead partner has been appointed, which are Kyambogo University (KyU), Bukalasa Agricultural College (BAC) and Agromax Ltd. Also, as a follow up, all partners involved in the triple helix platform have agreed on the Terms of Reference that MSM has drafted for the platform. By having the ToR in place as well as the key areas and lead partners, the platform was ready to take off.
Each lead partner has started the activities for their priority topic as part of the triple helix platform. The group that is responsible for the knowledge and skills gap have had several meetings to share knowledge but also to identify the quality aspects of horticultural export products and what are going to be the major bottleneck to exports in Uganda. The identified points are going to be addressed through the platform. The group who is responsible for the marketing aspect of the platform has also been working hard by reviewing recent literature related to quality of horticultural exports in Uganda, through which they came up with two crops to prioritize namely, tomatoes and passion fruits. The team is currently designing a market survey that links back to the identified crops. Last but not least, the group who is leading the innovation part of the triple helix platform is currently writing a joint proposal for funding the operationalization of Gulu Constituent College of Morroto.
While each group separately focuses on a specific topic, together they are working as a team towards creating a successful Triple Helix Platform on Horticultural Innovation in Uganda.
About the project
This project titled “Strengthening skills and training capacity in the horticulture sector in Uganda“ is managed by MSM who together with consortium partners Q-Point B.V., Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Ecopolis Europa and Egerton University capacitate Kambogo University (KyU) and Bukalasa Agricultural College (BAC). The project aims at strengthening the skills to improve the horticultural situation in Uganda. This is mainly achieved via strengthening the educational situation at A-TVET level. The project focuses on three main output areas: curriculum review and development, institutional capacity development at KyU and BaC and the establishment of a triple helix horticulture innovation platform. Main activities of the project are curriculum development, module development, training of teachers in activating didactics, strengthening linkages with the horticultural practise, and stimulating horticultural entrepreneurship.
Orange Knowledge Programme
These projects are part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) which is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic. For more information click here.
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