What do we know about the future of food systems innovation?

Abstract

Innovations have been and will continue to be critical drivers of food systems and societal change.

Predicting “game-changing” technology ahead of time is not possible, and silver bullets do not exist.

Novel innovations can alleviate some challenges, but unintended consequences always arise.

Foresight research can help to identify undesirable outcomes early on and align investments and incentives with social and environmental objectives.

Citation

Mason-D'Croz, Daniel; Herrero, Mario; Kugler, Cody; Remans, Rosaline; Thornton, Philip K.; and Zornetzer, Heather. 2025. What do we know about the future of food systems innovation? In What do we know about the future of food systems? eds. Keith Wiebe and Elisabetta Gotor. Part One: What Do We Know About the Future of Food Systems Drivers and Impacts? Chapter 12, Pp. 64-72. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175234

Authors

  • Mason-D'Croz, Daniel
  • Herrero, Mario
  • Kugler, Cody
  • Remans, Rosaline
  • Thornton, Philip K.
  • Zornetzer, Heather