Methods for analysing the agroecological transition at the sector level

This article proposes an analytical framework for the agroecological transition process at the level of agrifood sectors, drawing on approaches from sustainability transition research (STR) and the economics of innovation. The aim of this framework is to examine the way in which the various stages engaged in an agrifood chain can coordinate to build a collective learning process to support more sustainable agrifood systems. A number of key functions were considered, such as learnings and cocreation of knowledge, market formation and supply development through contracts. The relevance of this analytical framework to our understanding of value chain dynamics was emphasised through a study of value chain cases claiming to have differentiated practices related to agroecological principles.