The future of R&I as driver of agrifood systems transformation and sustainability transitions: Perspectives from East and Southern Africa

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 East and Southern Africa.

A significant trend is the increasing involvement of farmers in research design and implementation, fostering co-creation of knowledge and valuing both scientific and local/ indigenous knowledge. Researchers are increasingly taking on facilitation roles, guiding participatory processes and bridging research-policy-practice linkages. Strengthening capacities across various stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, policy makers, extension workers and private-sector actors, is crucial for scaling and sustaining innovations. A shift towards understanding agricultural systems as complex “value webs” with interconnectedness, multiple value streams and diverse actors is emerging. A comprehensive framework for measuring impact is needed, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative assessments, while ensuring sustainability through institutional embedding, policy influence, market-based approaches, community ownership and knowledge management.