ENGAGING FARMERS IN DIGITAL CO-INNOVATION PROCESSES IN AGRICULTURE IN BENIN

Co-innovation is often considered the most suitable innovation process in digital agriculture, yet empirical evidence on how it operates remains limited. This paper examines farmers’ engagement in digital co-innovation processes in agriculture. Using purposive sampling, actors involved in digital co-innovation were identified. Data were collected through participant observation and semi-structured individual interviews and analyzed using a mixed-methods approach combining content and discourse analysis. The findings reveal that digital co-innovation involves not only farmers but also two other key actor categories: leaders and intermediaries. Leaders play a central role in initiating, planning, organizing, and coordinating the co-innovation process, while farmers contribute knowledge and contextual information to adapt digital innovations to local needs. Intermediaries facilitate the flow of information and knowledge between leaders and farmers. The co-innovation process unfolds in four phases: ideation, planning, prototyping, and usage. Although farmers are actively involved throughout these phases, their participation remains predominantly informational, consultative, and deliberative, and less oriented toward decision-making. Strengthening farmers’ decision-making participation in digital co-innovation could enhance the adoption and effectiveness of agricultural innovations.