Farming projects must be able to access research at any point along the innovation trajectory, say Rasheed Sulaiman V. and colleagues.

Current models of innovation ignore small-scale technology — institutions must ensure it's a key part of the agenda, says Tony Marjoram.

New models of intellectual property rights are needed to protect — and promote — local knowledge and innovations, says Anil Gupta.

Biopesticides are better and safer than chemical pesticides — policymakers must do more to promote them, says insect ecologist Manuele Tamò.

Several Muslim countries rank among the world's most efficient innovators. They must build on this success, says Athar Osama.

Western universities are best-placed to provide developing country students with entrepreneurship training, argues Iqbal Z. Quadir.

The Muslim world and donors should use nongovernmental networks to nurture the dormant seeds of entrepreneurship, says Athar Osama.

Improving health for the poor depends on nurturing local innovations — and learning how to deliver them, argue Abdallah Daar and Peter Singer.

Open innovation is key to the success of iHub and can change the working culture of any community of innovators, says Linda Kamau.

Arab Spring revolutionaries turning to governance must adopt knowledge and innovation as barometers for progress, says Athar Osama.

Angola has the money, connections and political will to be a force in African science. But will it tackle inequality, asks Linda Nordling.

India's IT sector offers solutions for local problems — but entrepreneurs need help getting innovations to market, says Vineeta Dixit.

Few science centres offer hands-on experience for young people in Africa. Support is needed for an expansion plan, says Graham Durant.

'Boundary organisations' offer a space away from politics for scientists to engage government officials with their research, says Scott Drimie.

To see the research they fund in action, donors should work with good local governance, not informal networks, writes Justin O. Parkhurst.

Entrepreneurs are pioneering new modes of innovation to help poor farmers, and policymakers must support their creativity, says Andy Hall.

Ambitious plans for a 'desert development corridor' in Egypt could provide a concrete example of the social value of science, says Athar Osama.

Prizes for innovation must be used carefully to ensure that poor people in developing countries are the real winners, says Matthew Harsh.

African innovation won't flourish unless more attention is paid to creating and sustaining markets for it, argues Linda Nordling.

Is the turmoil in Arab countries fertile ground for science diplomacy? Yes, but only with due attention to local context, argues Athar Osama.