Innovation models and their application for developing countries: case-studies from agricultural (cattle) development in rural Kazakhstan

The thesis explores and defines the Quadruple and Quintuple Helix models and regional learning concepts for developing countries, with focus on the role of government, knowledge institutions and farmers as key actors in supporting innovation processes, using case studies from the Kazakh agricultural sector. It contributes to the debate on how to boost the innovation process to advance sustainable smallholder agricultural development. The case studies are based on farm-level data covering the most relevant production and knowledge systems of five rural districts of Aktobe region. The analysis provides an assessment of state agricultural development strategy and reveals the lack of reliability in investment returns owing mainly to undeveloped fodder supply and inefficient value chains, which deters the taking of loans. In light of endogenous economic growth understanding of the role of the state in promoting sustainable development, as a policy option alternative the survey suggests a focus on the development of a stable institutional framework for the broader economy to stimulate knowledge production processes. However, widespread conflicts among informal institutions delay both the short and medium-term results from state reform.