A huge increase in investment for innovation in sustainable agri-food systems (SAS) will be critical for meeting the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
Currently only a small fraction of investment addresses environmental or social goals together with productivity increase. A major challenge for both innovators and innovation investors is determining whether an investment ‘counts’ as one likely to promote both environmental and/or social sustainability. A way forward is to establish a clear set of principles for determining which innovations and innovation processes count as promoting SAS, together with guidance for how to operationalize these principles. Currently though there is a gap in the intersecting area of principles for innovation in SAS, with various principles existing for sustainable agriculture (in general), and others for innovation and innovation systems. For this reason, the Commission on Sustainable Agriculture Intensification (CoSAI) set out to create principles that cover both the outcomes and processes of innovation in SAS.
This report presents the Principles for Innovation in Sustainable Agri-Food Systems as developed by a multi-stakeholder group of research agencies, investors, private sector and NGO representatives, and watchdog organizations. It describes the process including task force composition, public consultation, pre-piloting and next steps. The report furthermore provides background for the selection of principles and describes the operationalization framework for the pilot version of the Principles as developed until December 2021.
The Digital Innovation Strategy (DIS) of the Regional Office for Africa (RAF) of FAO has been prepared to respond to critical challenges facing inclusive and sustainable agrifood system transformation in sub-Saharan Africa. It is enshrined in the new Strategic framework...
The present case study investigated a policy-induced agricultural innovation network in Brandenburg. It focussed on three major questions: 1) What are features of the network that enhanced farmers’ ability to innovate in cooperation with other actors?; 2) What influencing factors encouraged the farmers’...
The Guide to Effective Collaborative Action is built on the foundation of 10 years' experience in transforming food and agricultural commodity systems by UNDP's Green Commodities Programme. It is broadening the application from support to commodity production to the transformation...
Assessing or understanding the agriculture innovation system (AIS) is an essential step to better understand the needs, new skills and functions needed by the actors and the system. To accelerate the uptake of innovation and progress towards eradicating poverty, there...
Extension and advisory services (EAS) play a key role in facilitating innovation processes, empowering marginalized groups through capacity development, and linking farmers with markets. Advisory services are increasingly provided by a range of actors and funded from diverse sources. With...