Conceptual distinction between agricultural innovation and rural innovation: implications for scientific research and public policy

ABSTRACT

Rural areas require better living conditions and revitalization. Consequently, innovation in the countryside needs to be discussed. The work proposes a conceptual framework to distinguish agricultural innovation (AI) and rural innovation (RI) as contrasting approaches. We examine for both approaches in scientific research trends (2014-2018) and public policies for the Mexican countryside (2013-2018). While AI has strong conceptual development focusing on technology, agri-businesses, and competitiveness of farming systems, RI is an under-construction approach looking for rural change considering endogenous development and social innovations. Recent research trends were aligned to both approaches but also to innovation for facing climate change (ICC). Mexican public policy only reflected the AI approach despite the high marginalization in rural territories. AI, RI, and ICC are different conceptual fields but strongly related to sustainable rural development. Distinguishing AI and RI contributes to clarifying scientific research and designing appropriate public policies, considering inequalities in the rural world.

KEYWORDS:

• Agricultural innovation
• rural innovation
• rurality
• sustainable rural development
• policies for the countryside

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Rosaura Paez-Bistrain for her valuable participation in the activities and discussions throughout the project. The manuscript gained consistency and clarity thanks to the suggestions of two anonymous reviewers and the editor.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT), Project code PN2017/5435.