Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The agri-food system faces a multitude of challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss,
and social inequalities. These challenges are linked to the way the sector is organised and
governed, where farmers have seen their economic margins and decision-making power decrease at the
expense of large agri-food corporations. In this context, perennial grains such as Kernza®
(intermediate wheatgrass) have been put forward as a promising agroecological innovation, with the
potential to reduce environmental impacts as well as the dependence on external inputs, which in
turn could strengthen farmers’ position. However, research on farmers’ and food processors’
perceptions of this transition, as well as its economic feasibility, remains limited.
Through the theoretical lens of the Agricultural Treadmill, transition theory and Lukes’ three
power dimensions, this study explores the opportunities, constraints and power dynamics related to
the adoption of perennial grains, with a specific focus on Kernza in Sweden. Two research questions
are addressed: (1) how farmers and food processors perceive the potential and implications of
adopting perennial grains within the current agri-food system, and (2) what economic and political
conditions would enable the upscaling of Kernza. The study combines qualitative interviews with
farmers and food processors with a quantitative economic assessment comparing perennial and annual
cropping systems.
The results show that the interest for Kernza is strongly related to its environmental benefits and
lower input and labour requirements. However, the benefits are constrained by low grain yields,
establishment challenges, market uncertainty, and limited profitability under current conditions.
Kernza is therefore at this point in time perceived as a niche or dual-use (grain + forage) crop
rather than a system-changing innovation. The economic assessment shows that Kernza can generate
positive returns after establishment at high grain prices but would be significantly less
profitable than a conventional crop rotation in Skåne at current yield levels. The study concludes
that targeted policy support, continued plant breeding efforts for improved yield, and adapted
market strategies are necessary for Kernza to move from a niche role to a significant new
agroecological innovation that could contribute to more sustainable and just agri-food systems.