Food systems narratives in Colombia: embracing diverse perspectives can enable hybrid innovation pathways that address food system challenges

Sebastián Dueñas-Ocampo (), Margaret Hegwood, Angela Daniela Rojas-Becerra, Juan Pablo Rodríguez-Pinilla and Peter Newton
Additional contact information
Sebastián Dueñas-Ocampo: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Margaret Hegwood: University of Colorado Boulder
Angela Daniela Rojas-Becerra: University of the Andes
Juan Pablo Rodríguez-Pinilla: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana
Peter Newton: University of Colorado Boulder

Agriculture and Human Values, 2025, vol. 42, issue 3, No 16, 1457-1476

Abstract: Abstract When analyzing food systems challenges, considering multiple different narratives might lead to solutions that are more innovative and grounded in the local context relative to considering just a single narrative. However, the relationship between narrative diversity and innovation in food systems is not fully understood. Understanding the structure of and interactions between different food systems narratives can help researchers to identify opportunities (e.g., policies, interventions, and institutions) that could facilitate food systems transformations. This paper explores how narratives about food systems converge and vary between different groups of actors in rural Colombia as well as the implications for the co-development of innovative solutions amongst these actors to address food system challenges. As a case study, we focus on an important national policy initiative in Colombia, A Ciencia Cierta, which connects public science and civil society to implement community-based innovations. We conducted 47 interviews with key stakeholders, including policymakers, facilitators, academics, community leaders, and community participants who had been part of the initiative in Colombia, and experts about narratives in food systems globally. We found that actors (both individuals and groups) possess multiple narratives about food systems which evolve over time and adjust according to varying circumstances. Our findings indicate that hybrid innovations enabled by diverse knowledge(s) provide alternative solutions to overcome challenges faced by actors in food systems. This paper generates theoretical and empirical contributions to the growing study of how epistemic plurality can enhance innovation pathways in food systems.

Keywords: Food systems; Narratives; Innovation pathways; Social innovation; Hybrid innovation; Futures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10460-024-10685-x Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:42:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10460-024-10685-x

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/10460

DOI: 10.1007/s10460-024-10685-x

Access Statistics for this article

Agriculture and Human Values is currently edited by Harvey S. James Jr.

More articles in Agriculture and Human Values from Springer, The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().