Principles of innovation to build nutrition-sensitive food systems in South Asia

In this paper, is explained how previous waves of innovation in South Asian agricultural and food systems have combined to create the present situation, and we suggest how alternative kinds of innovation may enable South Asian countries to escape from the triple burden of malnutrition. We draw upon recent contributions to the literature on responsible research and innovation (RRI) to argue for a reflexive and accountable approach to shaping the development and application of new technologies within agri-food production, distribution and consumption systems  We present a conceptual framework that will help policy makers to think about how innovation pathways might be created and directed towards the goal of improving nutritional outcomes in South Asia. The framework draws attention to the direction of socio-technical change, the distribution of technologies and their risks and benefits, and opening up a diversity of possible innovation pathways . The study illustrates these propositions using examples of innovations and socio-technical changes from the Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition in South Asia (LANSA) research consortium, as well as other documented cases, in the areas of agricultural production, value chain interventions, and policy and institutional reforms