Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
https://revistasober.org/article/doi/10.1590/1806-9479.2026.295119
Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Innovations and new promises of change and development in rural territories. The experience of rural areas in Argentina

Inovações e novas promessas de mudança e desenvolvimento em territórios rurais. A experiência das zonas rurais da Argentina

Marcelo Sili

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1806-9479.2026.295119 resr, vol.64, e295119, 2026
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Abstract

Significant innovation processes are taking place in the rural territories of Argentina, with the potential to transform the prevailing model of agribusiness into a more diverse and resilient rural model. This study examines these innovation processes—grouped into four major categories—along with the limiting factors and their possible implications for rural areas, and the requirements for these innovations to move beyond a niche stage and evolve into a new model of rural development. The methodology is based on multilevel analysis drawing on 105 surveys conducted with technical referents in several rural areas of Argentina, particularly in the Pampas region. A key driver of innovation is the emergence of a new culture and a return to nature. The findings also show that innovations are interconnected, generating new dynamics. To move beyond the niche stage and consolidate new development models, the following would be needed a priori: new types of policies focused on rural issues, new forms and practices for promoting rural development, land-use planning strategies, improved infrastructure and rural connectivity, and higher levels of training and knowledge development.

Keywords

innovation, rural, development, socio-technical regime

Resumo

Resumo: Processos significativos de inovação estão ocorrendo nos territórios rurais da Argentina, que teriam a capacidade de transformar o modelo predominante de agronegócio em um modelo rural mais diversificado e resiliente. Esta pesquisa analisa esses processos de inovação agrupados em quatro grandes categorias, os fatores limitantes e suas possíveis implicações para as áreas rurais e, finalmente, os requisitos que surgem para que essas inovações saiam de um estágio de nicho e se tornem um novo modelo de desenvolvimento rural. A metodologia de trabalho baseia-se em uma análise multinível, com base na análise de 105 pesquisas realizadas com referências técnicas em várias áreas rurais da Argentina, especialmente na região dos Pampas. Um fator-chave que incentiva a inovação é o surgimento de uma nova cultura e um retorno à natureza. A pesquisa também mostra que as inovações estão interligadas, gerando novas dinâmicas. Para ir além da fase de nicho e consolidar novos modelos de desenvolvimento, seria necessário, a priori: novos tipos de políticas focadas em questões rurais, novas formas e práticas de promoção do desenvolvimento rural, estratégias de planejamento do uso da terra, melhoria da infraestrutura e conectividade rural e níveis mais elevados de treinamento e desenvolvimento de conhecimento.
 

Palavras-chave

inovação, rural, desenvolvimento, regime sociotécnico

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Submitted date:
03/24/2025

Accepted date:
11/05/2025

Publication date:
03/20/2026

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