Whither the agricultural productivity-led model? Reconsidering resilient and inclusive rural transformation in the context of agrifood systems

Agriculture has long been conceived as central to structural and rural transformation with agricultural productivity growth seen as a driving factor of economic growth and development. Promoting agricultural productivity has also been seen as fundamental to an inclusive process of rural transformation. The changing conditions faced by developing countries, combined with interregional inequality within middle-income nations and the urgent need to tackle climate change and ensure access to healthy diets further questions the relevance of the agricultural productivity-led model for promoting resilient and inclusive rural transformation. This paper argues that there remains an urgent need to enhance productivity in agriculture and agrifood systems, where relevant, for resilient and inclusive rural development. However, this effort requires a fundamentally new approach recognizing agriculture's heterogeneous roles and embedding inclusion more explicitly and more effectively to ensure widespread benefits and sustainable growth. • Agricultural productivity growth is important for resilient and inclusive rural transformation. • Resilient and inclusive rural transformation requires addressing multiple dimensions of exclusion. • Innovation must encompass developmental objectives beyond technology diffusion.