The report discusses the use of the co-innovation approach in DeSIRA projects, which focus on addressing issues in agriculture and natural resource management. By leveraging national agricultural innovation systems, researchers played key roles in designing and implementing these innovative approaches while enhancing the capacities of the partnering organizations.

The first chapter highlights various co-innovation approaches and the factors influencing their effectiveness, such as the type of innovation (technological or organizational), the novelty within different country contexts, and the role of researchers. The co-innovation process is distinct from the traditional linear transfer of technology model, as it emphasizes collaborative learning and knowledge exchange in iterative, non-linear cycles between researchers and other stakeholders.

The chapter also presents four case studies from DeSIRA projects, illustrating the challenges of implementing co-innovation. These include adapting researchers' roles (Fair Sahel and SUSTLIVES projects), guiding experiments (LIPS-Zim project), managing joint learning cycles (SUSTLIVES project), involving farmers as co-innovators (LIPS-Zim and SUSTLIVES), and building partnerships for co-innovation (Climate-smart Malawi project).