Introduction
This submission provides input and recommendations regarding the draft concept note and prototype of the Agrifood System Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) Knowledge Base (KB). The feedback reflects the perspectives of potential users, including policymakers, researchers, agripreneurs, extension agents, and grassroots organizations, as identified in the consultation.
1. Use Cases for the ATIO KB
The ATIO KB has the potential to fill knowledge gaps by providing a centralized, structured, and open-access repository of agrifood systems technologies and innovations. Below are specific use cases illustrating its value:
- For Policymakers: Policymakers could leverage the KB to identify and compare technologies based on readiness, contextual appropriateness, scalability, and impact. For example, a policymaker may search for sustainable irrigation systems suitable for low-income regions. The KB could provide details on adoption rates, readiness levels, environmental impacts, and cost-effectiveness.
- For Extension Agents: Extension agents could use the KB to identify grassroots innovations tailored to small-scale farmers’ needs. For instance, they might search for low-cost, farmer-led solutions for pest control, complete with implementation guides and field-tested results.
- For Agripreneurs and Investors: Entrepreneurs and investors could use the KB to discover scalable innovations in food processing technologies, complete with data on market readiness and adoption trends.
- For Researchers: Researchers could analyze correlations between inclusivity or co-design of solutions and their adoption levels, using KB-provided metadata on user demographics, participatory development processes, and implementation success stories.
2. Policy Innovation and Social Innovation
Including policy and social innovations will enhance the KB’s relevance. Examples include:
- Policy Innovation: A case study from Kenya where policies incentivized smallholder adoption of solar-powered irrigation systems. The KB could provide policy details, adoption metrics, and lessons learned.
- Social Innovation: Documentation of farmer cooperatives creating shared water harvesting systems. The KB could include the social structure, funding mechanisms, and resulting productivity improvements.
Such content should be presented in case-study format with key takeaways, implementation guidance, and links to further resources. These examples could serve as templates for replication or adaptation in other regions.
3. Importance of Grassroots Innovations
Grassroots innovations are critical to ensuring inclusivity and addressing localized challenges. To enhance their representation, the KB should:
- Include detailed descriptions of the origin, context, and impact of grassroots innovations. For example, “A farmer-developed drip irrigation system in Rajasthan, India, which reduced water use by 40%.”
- Document key dimensions such as cost, required resources, scalability potential, and cultural acceptability.
- Provide multimedia content (e.g., videos, diagrams) to facilitate understanding and adoption.
4. Featuring Branded Commercial Products
Branded products should be featured in a way that maintains neutrality and supports comparison. Suggested approaches:
- Categorization by Innovation Type: Group branded products under broader innovation categories (e.g., solar-powered irrigation systems).
- Comparative Tables: Provide side-by-side comparisons of product specifications, costs, and performance metrics.
- Innovation Unit: Balance granularity by featuring both individual product models and broader innovation units (e.g., categories of technology).
5. Taxonomies
The proposed taxonomies for innovation types and use cases are sufficient to start but should be modular and subject to iterative refinement. Specific recommendations:
- Involve stakeholders in reviewing and updating taxonomies regularly.
- Ensure taxonomies cover non-technical dimensions such as gender, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.
- Align with existing systems like AGROVOC for interoperability.
6. Search Capability
Both filter-based and chatbot-style searches should be available to cater to diverse user preferences:
- Chatbot Search: Useful for handling complex queries, e.g., “Find grassroots innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa addressing post-harvest losses for maize.”
- Filter-Based Search: Ideal for refining broader searches, with filters such as region, innovation stage, and use case.
- Hybrid Option: Allow users to toggle between both options based on their needs.
7. AI Contributions
AI-generated descriptions add value but should be transparently marked and editable. Recommendations:
- Clearly label AI-enriched records with an “AI stamp.”
- Enable users to suggest edits, ensuring accuracy and contextual relevance.
- Regularly audit AI-generated content to maintain quality.
女士 Bibiana Muasya