Retro-Innovation as an Alternative Innovation Paradigm in Agriculture: Evidence from Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48162/rev.36.160Palavras-chave:
Portugal, Traditional Varieties, retro-innovation, cereals, sustainable transitionResumo
This article examines how retro-innovation processes differ from dominant agricultural research and innovation regimes and under what conditions they may influence broader research agendas and public policy. Drawing on an inductively derived analytical framework based on the Gioia methodology, the study identifies five key dimensions of retro-innovation: temporality and knowledge reactivation, hybridisation with present conditions, innovation rationale, knowledge regime, and innovation output. These dimensions are applied to the recovery of traditional cereal varieties in Portugal, with particular focus on the CERTRA project.
The findings reveal a differentiated pattern of alignment. While strong alignment is observed in terms of knowledge reactivation, hybridisation, and the production of context-specific socio-ecological outputs, only partial alignment emerges regarding innovation rationale and knowledge regimes. This reflects the coexistence of alternative and dominant innovation logics, resulting in hybrid and tension-filled processes.
The study shows that retro-innovation is particularly relevant in contexts where standardised technological solutions are not easily applicable, highlighting the importance of territorially embedded knowledge and practices. Rather than fully replacing dominant paradigms, retro-innovation contributes to their reconfiguration by introducing diversity, contextualisation, and epistemic plurality into agricultural innovation systems.
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