Role of Agricultural Policies in Promoting Digital Co-innovation in Benin’s Agricultural Sector
Morrisson Gouthon
*
Laboratoire de Recherche sur l’Innovation pour le Développement Agricole (LRIDA), University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
Mori W. Gouroubera
Laboratoire de Recherche sur l’Innovation pour le Développement Agricole (LRIDA), University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
Clarisse Tama-Imorou
Faculté des Lettres, Arts et Sciences Humaines (FLASH), Department of Sociology, University of Parakou, Parakou, Bénin.
Ismail Moumouni-Moussa
Laboratoire de Recherche sur l’Innovation pour le Développement Agricole (LRIDA), University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Agricultural policies play a pivotal role in shaping innovation processes within the agricultural sector. This paper analyzes how these policies actively foster digital co-innovation in Benin agriculture.
Methodology: We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a systematic review based on the PRISMA-RR method—which involved screening over 100 documents to retrieve relevant data—with 48 key informant interviews and case studies involving 32 participants.
Results: The results indicate that agricultural policies not only promote stakeholder inclusion but also facilitate collaboration and enhance the complementarity of their contributions towards developing digital innovations. Moreover, the inclusion of young holders of digital startups is found to be fundamental for driving these innovations, as they bring fresh perspectives and technological expertise.
Conclusion: Therefore, effective agricultural policies must prioritize inclusion, collaboration, complementarity, and coordination to induce impactful digital innovations. This research is original in its integration of a systematic review with a case study to illustrate how public policies can effectively foster the development of digital innovations in agriculture, which is now recognized as current agricultural revolution.
Keywords: Agricultural policies, digital co-innovation, innovation systems, agriculture, Benin