Importance of different policy instruments in the introduction of sustainable innovation in fruit and vegetable value chains: The perception of coordinators of European research and innovation projects

The constant introduction of innovation along agri-food value chains is fundamental to increase their sustainability in environmental, economic and social terms and to allow the sector to contribute to sustainable rural development. Operating by means of financial, regulatory and informational instruments, public policies can play a central role in sustaining this process. However, not always all these instruments are perceived equally appropriate in this regard. The objective of this study is to explore the importance of the different policy instruments for the introduction of specific types of innovation and the improvement of specific dimensions of sustainability as perceived by 90 project coordinators retrieved on the platform of the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). The study shows that most of the analysed respondents – although belonging to different kinds of organisations (in terms of typology, provenience, area of work, etc.) – converge in recognising the financial instruments as the most important ones. On the contrary, educational and informational instruments, as for instance advisory/extension services and peer-to-peer initiatives, are largely seen as the ones most in need of a stronger public support. Most of the respondents, also demand reinforced public policies for improving the environmental dimension of sustainability and boosting technological innovations along agri-food value chains. • We study the role of different policies for boosting innovation and sustainability. • We explore the perception of 90 coordinators of European EIP-AGRI projects. • Financial instruments were largely acknowledged as the most important policies. • Educational instruments were seen as the policies most in need of reinforced support. • More environmental sustainability and technological innovation were also demanded.