Institutionalization of dairy innovation platforms: A study on Samagra project in Kerala

Abstract

The present study assesses the extent of institutionalization of dairy based Samagra projects in Kerala as an Innovation Platform (IP). The study was conducted in purposively selected Thrissur and Palakkad districts of Kerala. From each district, 3 Panchayats were selected purposively and from each selected Panchayat 1 SHG with at least 20 members were selected. So a total of 6 SHGs were covered. From each SHG 20 members were selected based on the criteria of one year membership in the SHG, constituting a total sample size of 120 respondents. The data were collected using interview schedule. An institutionalization index was specially developed for the study with Structure, Conduct and Performance as the indicators. Out of the three indicators the structure of the innovation platform had highest scale value of 7.55 and highest index value of 0.27. This indicates the significance of structure indicator over conduct and performance indicators in the institutionalization process. According to 45.83 percent of the respondents, institutionalization of Samagra as an Innovation Platform has taken place only in a medium level. A low level of institutionalization has taken place according to 27.50 percent of the respondents whereas 26.66 percent of the respondents agreed that the innovation platform is highly institutionalized. The field level problems in implementation of the project, medium linkages between actors and lack of capacity building and training were some of the reasons for the medium level of institutionalization.  Establishment of promotion councils, capacity building of the private sector actors are some of the suggestions which can contribute to more institutionalization of the project. The “Institutionalization Index†developed in this study would be useful in assessing the institutionalization of other innovation platforms in agriculture/ dairy sector.