Systems-oriented Innovation towards Sustainable Smallholder Mixed Farming

Valentina Martinez-Ramon; Sieglinde Snapp; Santiago Lopez-Ridaura; Alessandra Cossu; Mazvita Chiduwa; Sabine Homann-Kee Tui; Powell Mponela; Nirman Shrestha; Timothy J. Krupnik; Nurudeen Abdul Rahman; Mateete Bekunda; Kindu Mekonnen; Randall S. Ritzema; Mary Atieno Otieno; Tamiru Amanu Abetu; Mattis Hoft; Kim van Wijngaarden; Sanderijn Meijer; Daan Andreas; Lois Veenings; Margherita Senesi; Yifan Wang; Gerrie van de Ven; Katrien Descheemaeker; Jerry Glover; Jeroen C. J. Groot

doi:10.1038/s44264-025-00114-9

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Systems-oriented Innovation towards Sustainable Smallholder Mixed Farming

Journal article

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Systems-oriented Innovation towards Sustainable Smallholder Mixed Farming

Valentina Martinez-Ramon, Sieglinde Snapp, Santiago Lopez-Ridaura, Alessandra Cossu, Mazvita Chiduwa, Sabine Homann-Kee Tui, Powell Mponela, Nirman Shrestha, Timothy J. Krupnik, Nurudeen Abdul Rahman, …

Npj sustainable agriculture, Vol.4(1), pp.5-9

01/09/2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00114-9

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Abstract

Agriculture, Multidisciplinary

Agriculture

Existing innovation approaches in smallholder mixed farming systems (MFS) often fall short by overlooking system complexity and local contexts. This Perspective calls for more responsible and effective co-design of MFS innovations. We outline distinct (socio-)technical innovation pathways, to better comprehend their opportunities and trade-offs. Drawing on case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa and South and South-East Asia, we identify three key enablers for MFS innovation approaches: systems thinking, participatory processes, and context-sensitivity. Together, these elements can help unlock the potential of MFS to improve livelihoods and advance landscape sustainability across the Global South.

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Title: Systems-oriented Innovation towards Sustainable Smallholder Mixed Farming
Creators: Valentina Martinez-Ramon - Wageningen University & Research
Sieglinde Snapp - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Santiago Lopez-Ridaura - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Alessandra Cossu - Wageningen University & Research
Mazvita Chiduwa - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz Y Trigo
Sabine Homann-Kee Tui - Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Powell Mponela - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Nirman Shrestha - Int Water Management Inst, Patan, Nepal
Timothy J. Krupnik - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Nurudeen Abdul Rahman - Tamale Teaching Hospital
Mateete Bekunda - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Kindu Mekonnen - Int Livestock Res Inst, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Randall S. Ritzema - University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Mary Atieno Otieno - International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Tamiru Amanu Abetu - Wageningen University & Research
Mattis Hoft - Wageningen University & Research
Kim van Wijngaarden - Wageningen University & Research
Sanderijn Meijer - Wageningen University & Research
Daan Andreas - Wageningen University & Research
Lois Veenings - Wageningen University & Research
Margherita Senesi - Wageningen University & Research
Yifan Wang - Wageningen University & Research
Gerrie van de Ven - Wageningen University & Research
Katrien Descheemaeker - Wageningen University & Research
Jerry Glover - International Rice Research Institute
Jeroen C. J. Groot - Wageningen University & Research
Publication Details: Npj sustainable agriculture, Vol.4(1), pp.5-9
Academic Unit: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 9
Grant note: CGIAR Trust Fund; CGIAR
Identifiers: 99901398991201842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article