Participatory Agricultural Innovation Through Living Labs: An Institutional Framework for Renewing Agricultural Extension

This paper examines living labs as an innovative approach for restructuring agricultural extension systems and enhancing the effectiveness of agricultural knowledge and innovation systems in response to contemporary environmental, economic, and social challenges. It aims to develop an integrated operational model that repositions agricultural extension at the core of the living lab ecosystem, redefining it as an institutional driver and innovation intermediary leading participatory innovation processes within rural communities. The study adopts a conceptual–analytical approach through a critical review of specialized literature and an examination of the conceptual and practical gaps in applying living labs in agricultural contexts, particularly the limited attention given to the institutional leadership role of agricultural extension. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes the Participatory Agricultural Innovation through Living Labs Model (PAI-LLM), which consists of seven interrelated components: contextual inputs, the institutional core represented by agricultural extension, the operational platform (agricultural living lab), governance and coordination mechanisms, transformational processes, developmental outputs, and sustainability mechanisms. The findings indicate that the proposed model provides a practical framework for transforming living labs from limited experimental initiatives into a sustainable institutional operating mechanism capable of maximizing the efficiency of scarce human resources in agricultural extension, especially in light of the sharp decline in the number of extension agents in Egypt. The model further demonstrates the potential of extension-led living labs to enhance participatory learning, accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations, strengthen the resilience of production systems, and promote more inclusive and sustainable rural development. The paper concludes that adopting the PAI-LLM represents a realistic strategic option for renewing agricultural extension systems in developing countries and supports the formulation of more responsive agricultural policies, while opening future research avenues to assess the long-term impact of living labs on food security and rural development.