Effective approaches and instruments for research and innovation for sustainable agri-food systems

The traditional linear technology transfer model has limited effectiveness in promoting the uptake of
technologies and innovations. It fails to account for complexity within the agri-food system, is too
simplistic and does not fully consider forward and backward feedback loops in the food system or pay
adequate attention to context. There is, therefore, an increasing interest in investors and decision makers making use of alternative instruments (such as innovation platforms or accelerators) to
support innovation processes. Furthermore, there is growing consensus for a paradigm shift in
agriculture. The current focus is primarily on increasing productivity, with sustainability considered a
secondary outcome, if anything. By contrast, sustainability is at the core of sustainable agricultural
intensification (SAI).