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Paper short abstract

This paper examines challenges in scaling digital agriculture and highlights participatory innovations through iSAT (Intelligent Agriculture Systems Advisory Tool) and tools for soil health and pest management. It explores how farmer co-create solutions foster equitable impact.

Paper long abstract

Digital agriculture initiatives often struggle to scale or sustain their impact because they fail to address the systemic challenges faced by smallholder farmers, such as unreliable energy access, limited digital literacy, and exclusion from key decision-making processes. This paper examines the ISAT (Intelligent Agricultural Systems Advisory Tool) platform and its supporting tools like the soil health monitoring system and the pest and disease detection app, as a case study to explore the potential of participatory innovation.

Drawing on pilot projects and implementation experiences in semi-arid regions, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, India, this paper highlights the critical role of farmer engagement in tailoring tools to address challenges such as soil health, pest outbreaks, and climate variability. While the direct impact of co-creation has not yet been comprehensively studied, the pilots provide valuable insights into how participatory governance and reliable data inputs could enhance adoption and scalability.

The paper critiques traditional top-down models that often fail to consider the material constraints of smallholder farmers, such as limited resources and energy infrastructure. It advocates for decentralized governance frameworks, equitable energy solutions, and inclusive policies as essential components to overcome these systemic barriers. Finally, the paper outlines actionable recommendations to scale participatory digital tools in ways that ensure sustainability, equity, and meaningful impact for smallholder farmers.