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Actor Linkages in Dairy Innovation Platforms: A Case Study in Kerala

Aim: The current study analyses the level and type of linkages among the actors in the innovation platform using actor linkage matrix (ALM). The Samagra scheme which includes dairy based projects namely Nature Fresh (NF) and Ksheerasagaram, was the innovation platform (IP) under the study. The beneficiaries of these projects were women SHG (Kudumbasree) members. 
Study Design: Survey design was used for the current descriptive study. 
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Kerala as a part of M.Sc research work in the year 2017-18, affiliated to National Dairy Research Institute. 
Methods: Stakeholder identification was done using the information from secondary sources, the members of the selected SHGs and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors using checklist, open ended interviews and focus group discussions. The strength of the linkages and their reciprocity were depicted in the actor linkage matrix. 
Results: The study found out that only very few strong reciprocal linkages were there in the IP value chain which was between the SHG members and the Community Development Society (CDS) chairperson, Veterinary Surgeon (VS) and consumers. Medium linkage was observed between the SHG members and private sector actors like input dealers and marketing agents. The public sector actors like the State and District level Kudumbasree officials, State Veterinary Universities (SVUs), Dairy Development Department (DDD), Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) had the weakest of the linkages with the other stakeholders. Although there is a scope for establishing and strengthening dynamic linkages between actors, it is not exploited and promoted. 
The actor linkages and dynamics are crucial in fostering the innovativeness in organizing the dairy value chain and for the institutionalization of the IP. Thus the IP framework should focus on linkages that need to be developed and make the required changes in policy and practice for this to happen.