Abstract
Agricultural production involves the scaling of agricultural innovations such as disease-resistant and drought-tolerant maize varieties, zero-tillage techniques, permaculture cultivation practices based on perennial crops and automated milking systems. Scaling agricultural innovations should take into account complex interactions between biophysical, social, economic and institutional factors. Actual methods of scaling are rather empirical and based on the premise of ‘find out what works in one place and do more of the same, in another place’. These methods thus do not sufficiently take into account complex realities beyond the concepts of innovation transfer, dissemination, diffusion and adoption. As a consequence, scaling initiatives often do not produce the desired effect. They may produce undesirable effects in the form of negative spill-overs or unanticipated side effects such as environmental degradation, bad labour conditions of farm workers and loss of control of farming communities over access to genetic resources. Therefore, here, we conceptualise scaling processes as an integral part of a systemic approach to innovation, to anticipate on the possible consequences of scaling efforts. We propose a method that connects the heuristic framework of the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions (MLP) to a philosophical ‘modal aspects’ framework, with the objective of elucidating the connectedness between technologies, processes and practices. The resultant framework, the PRactice-Oriented Multi-level perspective on Innovation and Scaling (PROMIS), can inform research and policymakers on the complex dynamics involved in scaling. This is illustrated in relation to three cases in which the framework was applied: scaling agro-ecological practices in Nicaragua, farmer field schools on cocoa cultivation in Cameroon and ‘green rubber’ cultivation in Southwest China.
Highlights
2 Towards a framework for systemic analysis of scaling processes 2.1 Building on the multi-level perspective on sociotechnical transitions 2.2 Complementing the multi-level perspective with the theory of aspects 2.3 PROMIS as an integrative analytical framework 3 Enriching perspectives on scaling processes by applying the PROMIS framework 3.1 Analysing regime configurations in which scaling takes place 3.2 Strategic analysis of anticipated scaling dynamics 46 Page 2 of 20Agron
Based on a review of literature on scaling and system innovation, this paper proposes a systemic framework to address the multiple dimensions and dynamics which should be taken into consideration during scaling processes
To overcome some of multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions (MLP)’s limitations, we suggest to complement, or rather refine it, to better define the different regime and landscape elements, how they are perceived by people, and how analysis and decisions regarding sustainability and responsible scaling can be informed
Summary
Development agencies, governments and donors assess the impact of agricultural research and innovation by the extent to which outputs and outcomes in the form of novel technologies and practices can lead to wider benefits (Joly et al 2015). Inclusive: Inclusive in scope (what is in the picture): inclusive in process (collaborative): inclusive in effort (convergence), and inclusive in terms of who benefits options, requiring processes of adaptation and translation (Cerf et al 2012; Garb and Friedlander 2014; Giller et al 2011; Klerkx et al 2010; Knowler and Bradshaw 2007; Shiferaw et al 2009; van der Stoep and Strijbos 2011) This implies that, rather than being considered as the logical follow up of novel technologies and practices that resulted from successful research and innovation, scaling should be considered as part of a more continuous process involving ongoing finetuning (Fig. 3). This initial approach provides an example of how perspectives on scaling processes may be
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