Farmhand Ventures Publishes Research on Inclusive Innovation in Agriculture

Farmhand Ventures has published a research paper titled “Inclusive Innovation in Agriculture: Redesigning Agtech Ecosystems for All.” The study, funded by UC Merced’s Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology and Agriculture (VISTA), addresses the need for inclusive approaches in developing agricultural technology.

Led by Connie Bowen, with contributions from Suma Reddy, Jamil Wynne, and Sarah Mock, the paper draws on interviews with entrepreneurs and support organizations to propose five best practices for innovation in agriculture. It emphasizes the importance of involving diverse stakeholders to ensure that solutions are viable, socially acceptable, and practically usable.

The authors highlight the unique challenges in agricultural technology, including limited funding, seasonal constraints, and a diverse workforce. These challenges necessitate inclusive strategies that bring together various stakeholders to develop solutions that address real-world needs. “Including the people who actually do the work in the innovation process derisks product development,” said Bowen. She emphasized the importance of collaboration to maintain domestic food security, given that fewer than 1% of Americans have direct exposure to farms and that the current farming population is aging.

Professor Joshua Viers, faculty director of the Farms, Food, Future Innovation Initiative at UC Merced (F3 Innovate), noted that inclusive innovation is crucial for better outcomes in agriculture, especially in California, a leader in climate, equity, and economic development. The report provides strategies for entrepreneurs to engage with all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups, ensuring diverse perspectives in solution development.

Suma Reddy from Riffle Ventures pointed out the importance of bridging the gap between agtech entrepreneurs and those working on farms. Kimberly Gibson, a postdoctoral scholar in inclusive innovation at UC Merced, described the report as a valuable resource for agtech innovators, offering concrete recommendations for aligning technology with real-world needs.

Leigh Bernacchi, executive director of F3 Innovate at UC Merced, expressed hope that the guide would help create more relevant technology and solutions to significant challenges in agriculture. The F3 Innovate program, a collaboration between the Central Valley Community Foundation, industry leaders, and UC Merced researchers, aims to foster inclusive innovation and advance sustainable farming practices.