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The shift in bearing on the traditional status quo Turkish foreign policy orientation has recently been studied through various approaches commonly associated with changing trends, to seek the theoretical and methodological pillars that underpin the state's policy behaviours towards new regions, including Africa. Accordingly, over the last two decades, ideas, linguistic constructs, identity, and religious and cultural factors have been added to an overarching and homogenous vision of Turkish foreign policy. Although identity-based theoretical studies explain dynamic changes in the Turkish foreign policy paradigm towards new regions, several of them fail to touch on how Turkish identities are translated into state policy. This article aims to address this by arguing that the effect of personality and leadership on the policymaking process of Turkey has become more visible over the last two decades, in tune with Turkey's identity (neo-Ottomanism, Islam), which then evolves into state policies. The article opens avenues for further academic studies on two fronts. It accounts for the theoretical background of Turkey's attachment to Africa through a constructivist approach, while responding to how Turkey's identities are translated into state practice, an issue not sufficiently addressed in current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a strong narrative in southern Africa that posits agricultural innovations as the sine qua non of sustainable rural livelihoods. This mantra is based on the belief that the success of the Green Revolution, which lifted millions out of food insecurity in Europe and North America, and later in Asia and South America, should be replicated in Africa. The pervasive food insecurity on the continent is used to justify the narrative. The positivist science and communicative rationality slant of this narrative, overlooks peculiarities of the biophysical and socio-economic aspects of agricultural production in Africa, particularly in smallholder farming systems, which are dominant on the continent. By promoting a de-contextualised account of agricultural production, the narrative distorts the contribution of agriculture to sustainable rural livelihoods. We propose a social constructivist approach to agricultural innovations that is based on a proper contextualisation of the prevailing biophysical and socio-economic conditions, understanding of the dynamics of agricultural innovations, and nature of rural livelihoods in southern Africa. • There is a strong narrative that perceives agricultural innovations as the sine qua non of sustainable rural livelihoods. • Research and extension efforts should be focused on how innovations are conceptualised, constructed and implemented. • A social constructivist view on agricultural innovations can help understand the social discourses and how knowledge emerges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]