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Short abstract:

The research investigates the cultivation of openness and equity in knowledge production within Ghana's Crops Research Institute, emphasising collaborative practices.

Long abstract:

In the rapidly evolving landscape of data-centric life sciences, ensuring openness and equity in knowledge production is pivotal for sustainable agricultural development. This research investigates these principles within Ghana's CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CRI). Emphasising collaborative practices, the research delves into the strategies employed by the institute to foster inclusive and participatory approaches in generating agricultural knowledge. The study focuses on the dynamics of collaboration both internally and externally, focusing on interactions between CRI researchers and farmers, and on the pivotal role played by extension officers. By examining the collaborative mechanisms, information-sharing protocols, and engagement strategies, the research seeks to understand how knowledge is co-created and disseminated.

A critical analysis of power dynamics within these collaborative practices forms a central aspect of the study. The research explores how decision-making processes unfold, and the extent to which diverse stakeholders, particularly farmers and extension officers, are empowered in the knowledge production chain. It also seeks to uncover challenges and successes encountered by the Crops Research Institute in Ghana, offering insights for similar institutions striving to enhance openness and equity in their knowledge production endeavours.

By presenting a nuanced examination of collaborative practices in the Crops Research Institute, this study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on fostering openness and equity in knowledge production within the context of agricultural research. Additionally, it seeks to understand how the identified challenges and successes can be leveraged to promote sustainable and inclusive approaches that can benefit both researchers and the communities they serve.