Viability of the Saline Farming of Quinoa and Seed Potatoes in the Netherlands: An Assessment Supported by a Value Chain Analysis of Both Products

Globally, climate change is causing a rapid increase in salinization. In current research, various strategies to mitigate or adapt to salinization have been identified. This study explores the viability of one of these, the adaptive strategy of saline farming. By looking at the scaling potential of two salt-tolerant crops (quinoa and seed potatoes) from a socio-economic perspective, this study introduces a novel scope focused on industry viability. Building on semi-structured interviews, the opportunities and constraints for the scaling of both products are identified based on their value chains. Supported by the local value chain development framework and the multi-level perspective framework, this study aids in the identification of lock-ins and windows of opportunity, as well as other relevant aspects and dynamics within the different dimensions of the socio-technical regime that are potentially involved in the complexity of the scaling of innovations. The results show that the cultivation of quinoa and salt-tolerant seed potatoes is currently not yet perceived as viable due to the lack of economic benefits and awareness. These lock-ins can be overcome by the utilization of “windows of opportunities” that trigger adaptive capacities in response to longer emerging issues.