Integrated services for innovation and agrifood systems

FAO

Integrated services for innovation and agrifood systems

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 6 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Rural producers operate in a very complex reality. They are faced with serious and interconnected challenges such as globalized and unstable markets, volatile prices, a degrading natural resource base and the effects of climate change. In addition, especially in developing countries, access to markets represent a serious problem due to, among other factors, poor infrastructure, difficult-to-comply quality standards and requirements (such as certifications and food safety standards). Rural producers frequently handle many products such as different varieties of crops, livestock and/or fisheries, and have little access to integrated services for innovation (ISI). They are a part of complex and dynamic agrifood systems, but often remain marginalized within these systems, having no power to voice their demands and truly benefit from them.

Cite this content as:

FAO. 2024. Integrated services for innovation and agrifood systems. Rome.

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
Linking agrifood SMEs to innovation for sustainable food systems: the role of multi-stakeholder approaches
Webinar outcomes
2023

Also available in:

French

During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 13 October 2022, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of university-business cooperation, successful cases of innovation adoption and transfer, innovative pathways of capacity development, as well as provocative thoughts from investors and farmers. Panelists and speakers discussed about the needs and challenges that agrifood SMEs and farmers are experiencing in linking with innovation, and investigated possible pathways for transformation, leveraging the added value of multi-stakeholder approaches to promote the uptake of innovation. Moreover, the webinar allowed strengthening collaboration among the different partners and stakeholders shaping the agrifood ecosystem, that are essential to enable SMEs and farmers with solutions, tools and best practices. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating that linking agrifood SMEs to innovation is key for a sustainable future of the Mediterranean food systems, where SMEs and small-scale producers are empowered as economic actors and agents of change for a blue, green and circular food system transition. There is a need for an interactive innovation ecosystem based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration process that is open and inclusive, where new technologies and organizational processes are co-designed by all food systems actors. To this effect, science diplomacy is a powerful tool to ensure that scientific knowledge is effectively shared and adequately translated to be used by non-scientific stakeholders, leveraging co-creation and win-win solutions through alliances that engage all shores of the Mediterranean on a level-playing field. Moreover, innovative capacity building and training programmes are instrumental in developing the human capital necessary to address skills mismatch between graduates and employment demand from the agri-business sector, enhancing the innovation chain through new professional profiles. Finally, sustainable finance and new financial mechanisms can be unlocked to enhance SME access to affordable innovation and technology. Business incubators and accelerators promote a change of mindset that can lead SMEs to embrace innovation by adopting new business models, matchmaking innovators and co-founders, and inspiring ideas.
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
Linking agri-food SMEs to innovation for sustainable food systems: the role of multi-stakeholder approaches
Thursday 13 October 2022 | 09:30 – 11:00 (CEST)
2022

Also available in:

French

This series of technical webinars is organized to leverage the knowledge and expertise of a network of researchers, development practitioners and decision-makers. The webinars aim at strengthening knowledge sharing and stimulating debate around themes relevant to food systems transformation in the Mediterranean, peer exchange about recent research and study findings, as well as showcasing successful and inspiring actions to promote the operationalization of food systems approaches. This webinar, designed in the framework of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum, will bring together stakeholders from across the Mediterranean to present concrete experiences of university-business cooperation, successful cases of innovation adoption and transfer, innovative pathways of capacity development, provocative thoughts from investors and farmers. The webinar will highlight the needs and challenges that agrifood SMEs and farmers are experiencing in linking with innovation and investigate possible pathways and the added value of multi-stakeholder approach to promote the uptake of innovation. The event will also allow strengthening collaboration among the different partners and stakeholders shaping the agrifood ecosystem, that are essential to enable SMEs and farmers with solutions, tools and best practices. The webinar will aim to address a key question: how can multi-stakeholder approaches accelerate the transition of agrifood SMEs towards more sustainable business practices?
Policy brief

Research capacity for sustainable agrifood systems in the context of the Agricultural Innovation Systems: Insights from Malawi’s multistakeholder policy dialogues
Policy brief
2024

Also available in:

No results found.

The research function is crucial for developing, testing, and adapting novel solutions for transforming agri-food systems in the region. Yet a study conducted on Malawi’s Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) revealed that the key actors in the system lacked capacity to facilitate and or engage in the research function effectively. To address this constraint, a policy dialogue informed by multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach was facilitated to identify obstacles and propose practical solutions. The Identified key obstacles to agricultural research in promoting innovation were: poor networking, insufficient skills to mobilize resources, absence of knowledge management and communication strategy, weak governance mechanisms, as well as use of an underdeveloped monitoring, evaluation and learning system. This brief includes policy recommendations to strengthen the research function within the AIS framework in Malawi.