From Stakeholder Perceptions to an Adaptive Design Blueprint in Open Innovation: A Case Study of Small-Scale Rice Mill Development in West Java, Indonesia

Small-scale rice milling plays a crucial role in rural agrifood systems, but existing technologies often fail to meet smallholder farmers' needs. These mills struggle with processing small paddy volumes, achieving optimal milling yield, and providing mobility for narrow rural roads. Additionally, they are inefficient in fuel use, increasing operational costs. This study addresses these gaps through an open innovation approach by (1) identifying stakeholders' perceptions of design requirements for small-scale rice mills, (2) optimizing the design based on smallholder needs, and (3) evaluating the proposed design. A mixed-methods approach was used: qualitative data were collected through NVivo-based interviews with 10 key informants, including farmers, extension officers, and technical experts. Quantitative data were gathered from 300 smallholder farmers in Sukabumi, Garut, and Tasikmalaya using an ordinal scale questionnaire. The study applied the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method for design optimization. Results revealed seven key design priorities: ease of use, milling capacity, product quality, functionality, portability, affordability, and fuel efficiency. The QFD analysis prioritized product quality (18.6%), ease of use (18.5%), and LPG-based energy efficiency (15.3%). The final design includes a rice yield >64%, a price under IDR 25 million, LPG consumption <1.0 kg/hour for 100 kg/hour capacity, and portability for rural environments. The novelty of this study lies in integrating open innovation principles, user-driven innovation, NVivo, and QFD to develop an adaptive, cost-effective, and sustainable rice milling solution. This study presents a new pathway for adaptive agricultural innovation in low-tech sectors through open innovation.