Exploring inclusive innovation: A case study in operationalizing inclusivity in digital agricultural innovations in Kenya

Digital technologies promise to transform agri-food systems such that they contribute to a more inclusive, economically, and/or environmentally sustainable future. However, without careful attention to the approaches for their introduction, development, and rollout, they are likely to fail to address key aspects of inclusion. Contemporary inclusive innovation mechanisms focus on the involvement of farmers in the innovation processes, but do not elucidate how to operationalize a deeper inclusivity that takes account of the nature of engagement with the farmers and dynamics of the relationships required for successful outcomes. This article analyzes the concept of inclusivity and its operationalization using the case of the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO). We develop lines of inquiry on how inclusivity can be defined, sought and operationalized in digital agri-food systems. Based on a case study approach, we interviewed 36 stakeholders in the KALRO digital transformation initiative reflecting on literature discussions from secondary data. Primary and secondary data were synthesized to develop lines of inquiry that enabled a deeper exploration of inclusivity. KALRO's rollout and scale-up of digital agriculture technologies for farmers hinges on three evaluative criteria – usability, accessibility, and relevance – which are associated with aspirations for inclusive innovation. Despite these efforts, some technologies they developed included some farmers and excluded others. For the included, inclusion was limited to the accessibility of certain types of information while desired forms of information lacked sufficient mechanisms for access or were not made available. The practice of promoting access, usability and relevance of the technologies while has supported innovation for and with the farmers, there are still challenges in innovating with the farmer. The lines of inquiry “inclusive innovation with” and “inclusive innovation for” introduced in this paper not only help stakeholders gain a deeper, more nuanced and holistic understanding of inclusive innovation, they also reveal the complexity of inclusivity and its operationalization in agri-food systems that are digitalizing. This paper analyzes inclusivity from a practice perspective highlighting areas where the theoretical perspective and empirical observations diverge. The paper makes the case for meaningful changes in how inclusivity is approached, considering the practical needs and preferences of those directly impacted by innovation and the potential of operationalizing ‘inclusive innovation with’ as a deeper and more effective approach to inclusive innovation.