Addressing the politics of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems

Kristiaan P.W. Kok; Laurens Klerkx

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103747

Addressing the politics of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems

Kristiaan P.W. Kok, Laurens Klerkx^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems (MAIS) are becoming more prevalent in view of tackling the challenges of agri-food systems transformation. In this perspective, we argue that the politics of MAIS requires more comprehensive and considerable attention in the field, given the contested and deeply normative nature of the direction of innovations in agri-food systems transformation. Literature from development studies, policy sciences, and transition studies is reviewed to inform the perspective. We question the politics of MAIS structured around the dimensions of the 4D framework: directionality, diversity, distribution and democracy. Regarding directionality, MAIS should explicitly consider how power dynamics shape the direction of innovation and future agri-food systems, and to which extent these power dynamics hinder desirable directions. Considering diversity means that MAIS need to stimulate a diversity of transformation pathways; include a diversity of actors, communities and knowledge; and consider roles of both humans and non-humans in transformation. Questions regarding the distribution of resources and effects of innovations across ecosystems and communities imply that MAIS should actively advance just transitions across different scales and geographical contexts. Finally, democratization of MAIS in our view means that the ways in which knowledge and innovations are produced through MAIS should be more democratic and deliberative, though this may be challenging since missions imply strong steering. We stress that these 4D considerations also bring along important implications for the ways policies and research on and in MAIS, and agri-food system transformation more broadly, are considered. Confronting the politics of MAIS is not an easy endeavor, but critical to advance agri-food system transformation in directions that are not only sustainable and transformative, but also socially just and desirable. This requires for agricultural systems researchers to develop awareness on how their work feeds into the politics of MAIS, and conversely is influenced by it.

Original language	English
Article number	103747
Pages (from-to)	1-10
Number of pages	10
Journal	Agricultural Systems
Volume	211
Early online date	26 Aug 2023
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2023.103747
Publication status	Published - Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are grateful to many colleagues at VU Amsterdam, the University of Talca, Wageningen University, Utrecht University and elsewhere for their insights and discussions that helped shape our thinking on the roles of politics in mission-oriented innovation systems. Laurens Klerkx’ contribution to this paper draws on his professorial lecture ‘Towards agricultural innovation systems 4.0?: Supporting directionality, diversity, distribution and democracy in food systems transformation’, which was enabled by Wageningen University. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Talca is gratefully acknowledged for hosting Kristiaan Kok during a research visit in which this perspective was initiated, and the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University for financially supporting this research visit.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Funding

We are grateful to many colleagues at VU Amsterdam, the University of Talca, Wageningen University, Utrecht University and elsewhere for their insights and discussions that helped shape our thinking on the roles of politics in mission-oriented innovation systems. Laurens Klerkx’ contribution to this paper draws on his professorial lecture ‘Towards agricultural innovation systems 4.0?: Supporting directionality, diversity, distribution and democracy in food systems transformation’, which was enabled by Wageningen University. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Talca is gratefully acknowledged for hosting Kristiaan Kok during a research visit in which this perspective was initiated, and the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group of Wageningen University for financially supporting this research visit.

Keywords

Agriculture 4.0
Agroecology
Food systems transformation
Mission-oriented innovation policy
Politics
Power dynamics
Sustainability transformations
Sustainability transitions

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title = "Addressing the politics of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems",

abstract = "Mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems (MAIS) are becoming more prevalent in view of tackling the challenges of agri-food systems transformation. In this perspective, we argue that the politics of MAIS requires more comprehensive and considerable attention in the field, given the contested and deeply normative nature of the direction of innovations in agri-food systems transformation. Literature from development studies, policy sciences, and transition studies is reviewed to inform the perspective. We question the politics of MAIS structured around the dimensions of the 4D framework: directionality, diversity, distribution and democracy. Regarding directionality, MAIS should explicitly consider how power dynamics shape the direction of innovation and future agri-food systems, and to which extent these power dynamics hinder desirable directions. Considering diversity means that MAIS need to stimulate a diversity of transformation pathways; include a diversity of actors, communities and knowledge; and consider roles of both humans and non-humans in transformation. Questions regarding the distribution of resources and effects of innovations across ecosystems and communities imply that MAIS should actively advance just transitions across different scales and geographical contexts. Finally, democratization of MAIS in our view means that the ways in which knowledge and innovations are produced through MAIS should be more democratic and deliberative, though this may be challenging since missions imply strong steering. We stress that these 4D considerations also bring along important implications for the ways policies and research on and in MAIS, and agri-food system transformation more broadly, are considered. Confronting the politics of MAIS is not an easy endeavor, but critical to advance agri-food system transformation in directions that are not only sustainable and transformative, but also socially just and desirable. This requires for agricultural systems researchers to develop awareness on how their work feeds into the politics of MAIS, and conversely is influenced by it.",

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Addressing the politics of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems

Abstract

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Keywords

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