Trans-local learning for transformative agricultural innovation
Possible pathways towards sustainable agriculture are contested and diverse, ranging from substituting chemicals with biological inputs to automated machinery, growing crops and even meat under laboratory-like conditions or integrating ecological processes into farm operations.
Rural innovation scholars in Australia are currently investigating possible futures for the Australian vegetable production sector. Their early results indicate that the sector lacks a systemic innovation policy framework to support sustainable production. The Netherlands in contrast has a reputation of producing vegetables innovatively and with great eco-efficiency per unit of production. The governance of innovation policy in the Netherlands is considered highly progressive and an example of mission-oriented innovation policy.
Goal
The aim in this project is to compare the innovation systems of the two countries’ vegetable production sectors at two levels: 1. Performing a structural-functional analysis of the innovation systems to determine what hinders and promotes innovations for more sustainable production. 2. Critically assess how the system of rules and institutions in each case poses barriers for more sustainable production.
We explicitly do not take for granted that the Dutch example is to be followed elsewhere; rather, we are open-minded about whether we can learn from both cases. The desired outcome of the project is a critical reflection between stakeholders in the two countries’ vegetable production sectors and their respective innovation policy managers, facilitated through a virtual learning workshop.
Stakeholders
This project will establish and deepen collaborations with another university (ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Melbourne) and societal stakeholders in Australia (AUSVEG) and the Netherlands (LTO, Topsector Agri&Food, Ministry of Agriculture).