Addressing the politics of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems

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.