Sources of innovation in family olive farms: the case of Bejaia province in Algeria

Abstract

This study aims to check for the contribution of knowledge and information to innovation activity in family olive farms in Bejaia province (Algeria), and looks for the most efficient sources and channels of knowledge and information flows. To do this, we have first computed an innovation index for a sample farms, whereupon we have carried out a statistical analysis using linear regression method to find out about the most significant determinants of innovation. The main result is that direct interactions between farmers and local public agricultural research as well as user/producer interactions along the value chain are of the most contribution to innovation. Nevertheless, it turns out that farmers seem not take advantage of the operational knowledge that spills over from most of other knowledge and information institutions and organisations.

Keywords

• algeria
• family farms
• innovation
• knowledge and information systems
• olives