The future of R&I as driver of agrifood systems transformation and sustainability transitions: Perspectives from Burkina Faso

The DeSIRA Perspective Briefs present lessons learned by the community of implementers of the EC-funded DeSIRA Initiative and their views on the future of research & innovation (R&I) as drivers of agrifood system transformation and sustainability transitions in their respective regions. By distilling key lessons from DeSIRA’s successes and challenges, these perspectives offer actionable insights in agricultural innovation systems for innovation stakeholders, decisionmakers, policy actors, and investors. Each perspective brief focuses on a specific region where the DeSIRA Initiative was deployed (Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia-Pacific). This brief synthesizes key outcomes and recommendations from DeSIRA projects, focusing on conceptual shifts, multistakeholder approaches, the evolving role of science and research, adaptive management, sustainability transitions, capacity building, and policy influence. It also offers some insights on future directions for research and innovation in Burkina Faso.

DeSIRA projects have enabled the co-creation of innovative solutions tailored to Burkina Faso’s agroecological contexts, in collaboration with local actors. These results span areas such as agroecological practices, bio-inputs, agricultural advisory tools and value chain structuring. The participatory approach— anchored in territorially based innovation mechanisms—fostered user ownership and enhanced synergy among actors within the innovation system. These experiences showed that research, when embedded in local dynamics, can serve as a powerful lever for transforming production systems. Discussions highlighted that successful coinnovation depends on the involvement of producers, sustained support, project flexibility, and alignment between local and national levels. Scaling up requires tested and contextualised innovations, supported by legitimate institutions and embedded within long-term support systems. Research plays a structuring role when it acts as a bridge between scientific knowledge and practical know-how, thereby enhancing stakeholders’ capacities while informing public policy. Four priority recommendations emerged: (i) institutionalise co-innovation approaches in agricultural policies and territorial development plans; (ii) strengthen the governance of the NAIS by actively supporting the coordination unit for the NAIS (CC-SNIA); (iii) adapt financing mechanisms to support innovation pathways through blended public, private and local funding; and (iv) ensure stronger capitalisation and dissemination of results, involving local authorities and decision makers from the early stages of projects to foster ownership and facilitate scaling up.