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AbstractScience and technology (S&T) have long been seen as key for development. This paper considers the issue of capacity building in the light of recent reconceptualization of the role of science and technology in development. Reconceptualization suggests that science and technology are better seen as key elements of innovation systems, which are themselves the means of gaining value from knowledge creation; and, that innovation, knowledge and development are tightly knit elements of a system of organisations and institutions that must function coherently for improved knowledge and innovation systems to emerge. Developing such systems requires linkages of many types. The paper describes and discusses the conceptual basis for capacity building interventions, using partnership‐based capacity building initiatives in new agricultural technologies from Mali and Egypt. The empirical analysis from both countries shows evidence of research capacity building in the form of recruitment, training of scientific staff and provision of research infrastructure. Unsurprisingly, given the S&T knowledge base, the Malian case illustrates the difficulty of moving beyond basic forms of research capacity building. In Egypt, with significant S&T capacity, there is evidence of organizational and institutional innovation towards broader knowledge, and innovation system development in agri‐biotechnology. The role of partnerships, and government as 'systems‐builder', are shown to be important. Lessons are drawn from these (and other) cases about the relationship between partnerships, S&T and innovation capacity building. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ethiopia's agriculture is typically subsistence, low input‐low output, and rainfed. In the light of a renewed government strategy to use improved inputs and practices to enhance smallholder agricultural productivity and production, strengthening the evidence‐base for the design and implementation of such a strategy becomes central. This paper reviews and synthesizes the findings of seven recent graduate theses researched in Ethiopia, and aims to identify underlying factors influencing the use of improved agricultural inputs among farmers. It shows that farmers' education strongly influences improved input use across activity areas. Smallholder farmers who used such inputs for commercial production of crops and livestock products are better able to assess market opportunities, have more assets and/or income, and have better access to extension services and credit. However a large number of factors that influence improved inputs use were technology or location specific. The evidence suggests that transforming subsistence, low input‐low output agriculture into market‐oriented, high inputhigh output agriculture entails diverse strategies including promoting cross‐cutting factors like education, infrastructure and participation from women in agricultural development, and equally, targeting interventions like credit to the specific needs of farmers, their local contexts and technological attributes. ; Canadian International Development Agency

Globally, governments, development agencies, and inter-governmental institutions have invested heavily in skills-building interventions seeking to enhance the employability of youths. However, policy actors are becoming more aware of the shortcomings of skills-building interventions, and attention is shifting to focus on how to promote productivity, boost the private sector, and generate the kind of growth that could create jobs. While policymakers have endorsed the role of the private sector as a job generator, it remains unclear whether, and under what conditions, the formal private sector generates enough and decent jobs. Empirical research on youth employment in the private sector is sparse. This IDS Bulletin begins to fill that gap. The articles here have been authored by young African scholars from the Matasa Fellows Network, convened by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation. These early-career academics from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe were selected to consider the role that could be played by the formal private sector in job creation in Africa. Case studies come from their respective countries. While some aspects of the youth employment challenge are common to all six countries, the local contexts and situations are unique and sectoral. This IDS Bulletin explores the scope of research and policy challenges in three specific areas: agribusiness and youth employment; skills gaps and youth employability; and youth employment in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The articles demonstrate the importance of effective policy measures to ensure that private sector growth creates sufficient numbers of decent, secure jobs to provide employment to African youth. ; Mastercard Foundation