Agricultural Innovation Research Articles

Migration and agricultural development in the Santchou Landscape of Cameroon

Agricultural development is a recurring process in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this, the extent to which micro-level changes triggered, for instance, through migration, shape agricultural development still accounts only for a very negligible amount in the literature. Using the case of Santchou, an agro-dynamic landscape in Cameroon, this paper analyses the source and typology of migrants in three communities and evaluates the effect of migrants on the type of agricultural practices. A representative sample of 149 households was conducted in four communities within the landscape. This was complemented by key informant interviews (N = 5). Based on the analysis, the following conclusions are plausible: Firstly, while economic migrants account for a very significant proportion of the migration picture in the Santchou landscape; the over half a decade of socio-political crisis in parts of Cameroon has equally triggered massive in-migration into this area. Secondly, the most significant effect of migration is the increase in the adoption of technological innovations in agriculture and the shift from extensive to intensive agriculture. The latter is associated with the increasing introduction of market gardening—a practice which is predominant at their source location (North West Region). Thirdly, a comparison of three steps of land cover/use change in Santchou showed that between 2003 and 2023, a more than 60% increase in the surface area covered by arable land was registered. This paper provides empirical evidence to edify migration literature with an emphasis on the role of in-migrants in shaping agricultural development practices.

Smart Farming Revolution: A Cutting-Edge Review of Deep Learning and IoT Innovations in Agriculture

Smart Farming Revolution: A Cutting-Edge Review of Deep Learning and IoT Innovations in Agriculture

A Critical Examination of Nepal's National AI Policy 2081(2025): SWOT Analysis and Strategic Recommendations for Sustainable AI Integration

Background: Nepal’s National AI Policy 2081 is positioned as a cornerstone for AI-driven national growth, with a focus on agriculture, healthcare, and education. However, challenges such as limited infrastructure, a shortage of skilled professionals, and low AI awareness persist. This study critically evaluates the policy through a SWOT analysis. Methods: A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing thematic content analysis to review Nepal’s AI policy alongside global AI frameworks. Secondary data from policy documents, academic literature, and reports were analyzed to identify the policy's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to propose strategies for improving its efficacy. Results: The SWOT analysis revealed key strengths, including a clear vision for AI-driven digital transformation, a sector-focused AI approach, promotion of AI research and ethical governance, and investment in AI entrepreneurship. Weaknesses identified include a lack of an implementation roadmap, limited AI infrastructure, outdated data governance laws, and insufficient strategies for mitigating job displacement. Opportunities highlighted include AI as a driver for economic growth, public service efficiency, and agricultural innovation. However, threats such as inadequate AI infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and AI bias were also noted. Conclusion: Nepal’s AI Policy 2081 marks significant progress in recognizing AI’s potential. However, its success will depend on addressing its infrastructural, regulatory, and socio-economic gaps. A more defined implementation roadmap, investment in infrastructure, and strategies for addressing potential job displacement are crucial for sustainable development. Novelty: It provides context-specific strategies to integrate AI equitably within the socio-economic landscape of developing nations.

Value creation in AgriTech ecosystems through ITCMAARS

The advent of digital technologies is challenging traditional approaches in agriculture, necessitating a shift from linear business models to platform-based ecosystems. Responding to such a shift, ITC Limited, an Indian conglomerate, undertakes a journey in “phygital” transformation of its pioneering initiative, E-Choupal, to a newly envisioned platform, ITCMAARS. With a multi-stakeholder approach, ITCMAARS promises to integrate digital tools with physical infrastructure, creating an ecosystem of AgriTech service providers, financial institutions, and input manufacturers. Through this novel intervention, ITC attempts to address systemic challenges in Indian agriculture by offering advanced services through ITCMAARS, such as precision farming, data-driven decision-making, and improved market linkages. ITCMAARS also promises enhanced value creation and diversified revenue streams, while encouraging agricultural innovation and augmenting farmer productivity. This case study examines the phygital transformation of ITCMAARS and the opportunities for enhanced value co-creation in the newly envisioned platform ecosystem, in addition to the challenges of operating in such arrangements. The case provides a basis for classroom discussion, enabling students and practitioners to critically analyze the dynamics of platform-led digital transformation in agriculture and its implications for rural economies in emerging markets.

How pilot free trade zones affect food system resilience: quasi-natural experiment evidence from China

IntroductionEnhancing the resilience of food systems is of paramount importance when faced with frequent and uncertain shocks. As pioneering zones for advancing reform and opening up in China, the pilot free trade zones provide a unique perspective for studying the impact on food system resilience. The existing literature rarely explores the mechanisms of improving food system resilience from the perspective of pilot free trade zones. Therefore, this study used the implementation of China’s pilot free trade zones as a quasi-natural experiment to analyze the impact on food system resilience and its mechanisms.MethodsThis study initially resolves the problem of selection bias by employing the propensity score matching (PSM) method, and then estimates the extent of the impact of pilot free trade zones on food system resilience through the staggered differences-in-differences (staggered DID) method, finally examining the mechanisms by which pilot free trade zones affect food system resilience using the mediation effect model.Results and discussionPilot free trade zones can promote food system resilience. Rural human capital and agricultural technological innovation were crucial channels through which pilot free trade zones enhanced food system resilience. From the perspective of heterogeneity, the implementation of pilot free trade zones primarily enhances the innovation capability of the food system resilience, in contrast to its resistance and recovery capabilities. Additionally, the pilot free trade zones have a stronger promoting effect on coastal areas compared to inland regions of China. Furthermore, these zones have a greater enhancing effect on the western regions of China, compared to the eastern and central regions. Finally, the pilot free trade zones demonstrate a more pronounced effect on enhancing non-grain-producing areas compared to major grain-producing regions.ConclusionTo achieve synergistic development for high-quality construction of pilot free trade zones and food system resilience, it is necessary to promote high-quality construction of pilot free trade zones, enhance rural human capital, and agricultural technological innovation.

Photoluminescent Polymer Nanocomposites: Innovative Materials for Enhanced Light Management and Crop Yield Optimization

Light is essential for plant growth and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. However, sunlight often falls short of ensuring photosynthesis efficiency due to its wavelength composition, changing weather conditions, and the unique characteristics of plants, which create challenges for agricultural productivity. To address this, many innovative farming practices have been developed, including controlled environment agriculture, which creates microclimates that optimize conditions for plants. To improve light efficiency in these microclimates, researchers have turned to luminescent and light-conversion materials. These materials are incorporated into polymers to convert underutilized wavelengths, such as UV and blue light, into photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Luminescent materials like fluorescent pigments, quantum dots, and rare-earth-doped compounds, when incorporated into polymers, produce films that enhance light absorption and improve spectral energy distribution. They have shown great potential to increase crop yield, biomass, and the quality of fruits and vegetables. Despite their potential, challenges remain on the path to widespread adoption. Environmental impact, scalability, and economic feasibility are significant concerns. This review explores the integration and functionality of photoluminescent polymer nanocomposites as light-converting materials. It also examines current limitations while offering future perspectives on how these materials can be used for sustainable light solutions to improve agricultural productivity.

Opportunities and challenges in the adoption of protected technologies in horticultural crops

Protected cultivation techniques have the potential to significantly enhance agricultural productivity and economic security, particularly for vegetable and flower growers in India. These techniques optimize environmental conditions, improving the quality and quantity of yields. However, their adoption is hindered by high initial setup costs, technical complexities and limited awareness and training. Personal factors such as age, education level, farming experience, household size and social and economic factors like access to extension services, cosmopolitanism, credit availability and landholding size play a key role in adoption rates. The area under protected cultivation in India has expanded to approximately 70,000 hectares, highlighting the significant potential for growth. Despite this expansion, adoption rates remain moderate, with many farmers failing to implement essential practices, such as soil solarization and climate control systems, particularly in regions like Tamil Nadu. Practical solutions such as comprehensive training programs, regionspecific adaptable polyhouse designs and strengthened extension services are crucial to overcoming these barriers. In states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, where harsh climatic conditions prevail, customized polyhouse designs tailored to local environments have successfully improved productivity. Furthermore, financial support mechanisms, including increased subsidies and accessible credit, are necessary to encourage broader adoption. There is also a need for region-specific research to develop polyhouse designs that cater to the diverse climatic conditions across India. This study aims to enhance the understanding of agricultural innovation adoption and provide actionable insights into improving the adoption of protected cultivation technologies.

Nature-inspired solutions for food loss prevention: exploring smallholder farmers' willingness to adopt solar-powered cold storage

At COP27, the United Nations made a clarion call for addressing food system inefficiencies, specifically highlighting the need for innovative research into sustainable cold storage technologies for postharvest loss reduction. Consistent with this call, we explore smallholder farmers' willingness to adopt off-grid solar-powered cold storage in Ghana using surveys with small scale vegetable growers (n = 1,001). We put in conversation with one another multiple adoption theories—economic constraints, innovation diffusion, adopter perception—in framing our analysis, enabling us to test a broad list of theoretically relevant variables. Descriptive analysis show more than two-thirds of smallholder farmers were willing to adopt solar-powered cold storage for food loss reduction. Findings from logistic regression analysis reveal farmers' willingness to adopt solar-powered cold storage mirrors a blend of drivers that cut across theoretical fronts including economic constraints (i.e., wealth and profit); innovation diffusion factors including training on postharvest management and timely access to extension services; perception variables (i.e., the extent to which farmers view food loss as a major issue and prior exposure and use of similar agricultural innovations); and contextual agricultural conditions (i.e., farm size and yield). Our findings demonstrate the complexity of technology adoption in smallholder agricultural systems and the need for agricultural policy on adoption to move beyond the predominant emphasis on economic factors to include attention to adopter perception and contextual factors. It is critical for agricultural policy to address these multifaceted drivers simultaneously to enhance the uptake of sustainable modern agricultural solutions like solar-powered coolers.

The role of young scientists in promoting genome editing for sustainable agriculture and food systems in Africa

Climate change together with Africa’s growing population, threaten food systems. Improving youth participation in agricultural research and innovation, especially the use of genome editing (GEd) technology, will help address this inequality and ensure that Africa capitalizes on its youth to foster its food systems. This policy brief explores how young scientists are promoting GEd for sustainable agricultural and food systems in Africa. The brief made recommendations to improve on the youth participation in policy making processes and tackling public scepticism to promote the adoption of GEd. It concludes by calling for African governments to make a concerted effort to ensure young scientists are well-informed, supported, and actively involved in the advancement of GEd technology in agriculture in Africa. Climate change and various anthropogenic factors, coupled with Africa’s rapidly growing population, pose significant threats to food systems and the agricultural sector. Challenges such as inadequate youth engagement in agricultural research, lack of funding and a lack of modern infrastructure hinder the continent’s ability to achieve food security. Improving youth participation, particularly in the application of genome editing (GEd) technology, is essential for addressing these disparities and ensuring that Africa leverages its youthful demographic to enhance its food systems. This policy brief explores the pivotal role young scientists play in promoting GEd for sustainable agricultural and food systems in Africa. It highlights specific gaps, such as the need for increased investment in state-of-the-art laboratories, incubators, and mentorship programs, as well as financial assistance and scholarships for aspiring and budding researchers. Furthermore, the brief emphasizes the importance of youth involvement in policy-making processes and the necessity of addressing public scepticism to facilitate the adoption of GEd. By fostering an inclusive environment where young scientists are well-informed and actively engaged, African governments can harness the innovative potential of this demographic to drive agricultural advancements. The brief concludes with a call to action for African governments to prioritize the support and development of young scientists in the advancement of homegrown GEd technology, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of agriculture and food systems across the continent.

Modernizing the Lives of Indian Rural Women Entrepreneurs: A Literature Review

In India, more and more rural communities are looking for additional revenue streams these days by expanding their traditional pursuits, art and craft, cultural heritage, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on tourism, cuisine, painting, and handcraft. Rural women's lives are given a new direction through entrepreneurship, which results in their empowerment. Through a thorough analysis of the literature from various journals, research papers, newspapers, magazines, websites, and other sources during the past 15 years, this study seeks to explain the body of current knowledge in order to identify a relationship between rural women's entrepreneurship and modernisation. While dealing with a numeral of challenges, including a lack of education, restricted access to resources, and numerous stereotypes that impede their entrepreneurial path, the study also highlights the noteworthy contributions made by rural Indian women entrepreneurs to agricultural innovation, sustainability, women's self-confidence, improved living standards, family decision-making ability, and rural development. Women confront several obstacles, yet their contributions are changing both their own lives and society as a whole

Stories, simulations and narratives: Collaboratively exploring food security and agricultural innovation in sub-Saharan Africa

Stories, simulations and narratives: Collaboratively exploring food security and agricultural innovation in sub-Saharan Africa

From glass to grass ceiling: Addressing gender barriers in agricultural innovation

From glass to grass ceiling: Addressing gender barriers in agricultural innovation

When does new information encourage adoption, and where can we observe it: A synthesis of 3ie’s thematic window on agricultural innovation

When does new information encourage adoption, and where can we observe it: A synthesis of 3ie’s thematic window on agricultural innovation

Socio-Economic Profile of Innovative Farmers in Telangana

The present study was conducted to understand the socio-economic profile of innovative farmers in Telangana, India, using an ex-post-facto research design. A total of 180 innovative farmers were purposively selected from three agro-climatic zones, with data collected through structured interviews and analyzed using the cumulative square root frequency method. Majority of innovative farmers (61.11%) belonged to the middle-aged group (36 to 50 years), most farmers (25.00%) had completed secondary school, 43.33% of farmers owning medium-sized holdings, 45.00% of farmers fell into the low possession category and income-wise, more than half (52.22%) belonged to the upper-middle-income category, low area under irrigation (42.78%) and small family size (72.78%).

Recombinant DNA: unlocking untapped microbial potential for innovation in crop agriculture.

Recombinant DNA: unlocking untapped microbial potential for innovation in crop agriculture.

Factors to scale out innovative organic farming systems: A case study in Flanders region, Belgium

Factors to scale out innovative organic farming systems: A case study in Flanders region, Belgium

Intergovernmental Competition and Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Efficiency: Evidence from China

Against the backdrop of global challenges to food security and China’s push to modernize its agriculture, it is critical to understand how government strategies affect innovation efficiency. This study examines how three modes of intergovernmental competition—fiscal spending competition (strategically increasing public spending to attract resources), tax competition (providing incentives to promote investment), and promotion competition (officials prioritizing short-term projects for promotion)—affect the efficiency of agricultural science and technology innovations across China’s provinces. Utilizing panel data (2000–2021) and a Slack-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA-SBM) model, we find that fiscal spending competition suppresses efficiency, particularly in western regions where infrastructure investments crowd out R&D. Tax competition enhances efficiency, yet its impact is attenuated in central China due to low industrial upgrading. Promotion competition impedes long-term innovation, as frequent official turnover prioritizes short-term projects. Regional heterogeneity highlights eastern China’s market-driven advantages versus central/western regions’ structural constraints. Policy implications advocate for spatially differentiated governance, including R&D tax rebates in the east and cross-regional innovation alliances. This study contributes to fiscal decentralization theory by revealing the nonlinear effects of competition modes on agricultural innovation.

A Study on the Impact of New Urbanisation on Green Total Factor Productivity in Agriculture in Jilin Province

New urbanisation is crucial for agricultural green transformation and ensuring food and ecological security. Taking Jilin Province as its focus, this study constructs a new urbanisation index system covering four dimensions—population, economy, society, and ecology—and adopts the entropy method to assess its development level and measures agricultural green total factor productivity (GTFP) with the SBM-GML model, which accounts for non-desired outputs. The analysis of panel data and a fixed effects model from 2008 to 2022 finds that both new urbanisation and agricultural GTFP in Jilin Province show an upward trend. Additionally, new urbanisation has a significant positive impact on agricultural GTFP and indirectly enhances efficiency through the proportion of employees in the primary industry. Regional analyses show that the central region has a leading urbanisation level, but regional development is imbalanced; the growth of agricultural GTFP mainly relies on green technology progress, and the decline in technical efficiency requires careful attention. Based on this, it is recommended to promote urban–rural integration and high-quality agricultural development by optimising the spatial layout of new urbanisation, promoting agricultural technological innovation, and promoting industrial restructuring and synergistic development policies.

CRISPR/CAS GENOME EDITING TO ENHANCE RESISTANCE LEADING TO ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY IN CROPS

CRISPR/Cas genome editing has revolutionized agricultural biotechnology by providing a precise, efficient, and cost-effective method for enhancing crop resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. This technology enables targeted modifications in plant genomes, improving traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and nutrient efficiency, ultimately leading to enhanced crop productivity. By knocking out susceptibility genes or introducing resistance-related genes, CRISPR/Cas facilitates the development of crops that can withstand pathogens, pests, and environmental challenges. One of the significant applications of CRISPR/Cas in agriculture is its role in combating plant pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. By targeting genes associated with host susceptibility, scientists have successfully engineered resistance against devastating diseases such as bacterial blight in rice and powdery mildew in wheat. Additionally, CRISPR/Cas has been employed to enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures, which are major constraints on global food security. Furthermore, genome editing can optimize nutrient use efficiency in crops, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agriculture. The precision of CRISPR/Cas minimizes unintended genetic modifications, ensuring the safety and stability of edited crops. However, regulatory challenges and ethical concerns regarding genome-edited crops remain a subject of debate.Overall, CRISPR/Cas technology presents a promising avenue for developing resilient, high-yielding crop varieties, addressing global food security challenges while promoting environmental sustainability. Continued research and policy advancements will be crucial in harnessing its full potential for future agricultural innovations.

Mushroom Production in Nueva Ecija: Promoting Entrepreneurship and Driving SDG Achievement for Sustainable Development

Objective: This study aimed to assess mushroom production in the Municipality of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, focusing on challenges faced by producers and opportunities to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry. Theoretical Framework: Grounded in agricultural economics and sustainable production practices, the study integrates theories of entrepreneurship and technological advancements, emphasizing cooperative and government interventions in fostering agricultural growth. Method: A quantitative descriptive research design was used, surveying 133 mushroom producers. Structured questionnaires collected data on production practices, challenges, and cost and returns of mushroom production. Results and Discussion: Findings reveal that most producers are sole proprietors (98.8%) with less than three years of experience (72.93%), operating on small scales with minimal capital (78.19% under PHP 10,000) and family-based labor. The primary product is fresh white oyster mushrooms, complemented by mushroom fruiting bags, which yielded a net income of PHP 110,400 and a 191% ROI. Mushroom chips generated a higher net income of PHP 308,244 with a 162% ROI, demonstrating strong profitability. Challenges include raw material price fluctuations, labor-intensive processes, pest infestations, climate effects, and marketing competition. Research Implications: Collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and local farmer associations is recommended to promote zero-waste practices, climate-resilient methods, and modern technologies. Producers should enhance market analysis, diversify distribution channels, and prioritize financial literacy to overcome input provision and marketing challenges. Originality/Value: This study provides actionable insights into improving sustainability and market competitiveness in mushroom production, offering practical recommendations for innovation and resource optimization in small-scale farming.