Chapter 44 - Research and Innovation

 A paradigm shift is needed to reposition the world’s AFS from being an important driver of environmental degradation to being a key contributor for the global transition to sustainability. Such a transformation can only happen through both generation of new knowledge and enhanced translation of knowledge into use. This achievement requires the generation of new knowledge and enhanced translation of knowledge into use, entailing considerable efforts in terms of research and innovation. Research will need to integrate diverse disciplines and perspectives in order to address multiple objectives at the field, landscape, and value-chain levels. A systemic approach oriented toward user needs must be a part of agricultural innovation systems and include farmers, enterprises, and bridging institutions. This chapter identifies some main research needs for sustainable AFS, examines the conditions that will facilitate the transition toward sustainable AFS, highlights the prevailing hurdles that prevent the systems from fully benefiting from innovation, presents some examples, and makes recommendations for improving the contribution of research and innovation to sustainable AFS.