How can agribusiness innovation projects be scaled for success?

O Sucesso de um projeto de inova??o no agronegócio depende da identifica??o e antecipa??o das dores do cliente. Muitos projetos morrem pois s?o criados dentro do escritório/laboratório por equipes que acham que conhecem a realidade e necessidade do campo, mas na prática, as solu??es criadas tem proposta de valor fraca e difusa, e n?o solucionam verdadeiramente o problema na ponta.

Scaling an agri-innovation requires clearly defining the problem and solution. Take water scarcity: the solution might be a new irrigation technology. Validate this through research, trials, and feedback from farmers and experts. Identify your unique value proposition, like cost-efficiency or ease of use, and your competitive advantage. Ensure market fit: is the technology adaptable, affordable, and in line with market trends? This foundational understanding is crucial for successful scaling.

In my experience, defining problem in an agribusiness is specially of importance. It’s a micro level knowledge of problem would helps us develop a macro level solutions. We can innovate, without studying what actually we want to solve . The process of defining the problem is itself a solution . They are a lot of whys you have to go through before coming up to the root cause of problem. And once you solve that , you solve it from root cause and innovation is just a by product. But to innovate this journey is specially of importance

Agriculture ecosystem around the world is dynamic and varied. So an innovation which was a great success in one part of the world doesn't always qualify to be a successful in another location. The success and sustainability of the proposed projects will depend on several conditions including socioeconomic factors. So the scaling of an innovation should follow critical analysis of probable effects of interventions and plan further actions accordingly.

Timing of vertical farming expansion and scale are very critical. Infarm, a Berlin-based vertical farming startup, declared insolvency in 2023 despite raising nearly $500 million. Challenges included overpromising capabilities, premature expansion, and unproven product offerings like strawberries. Financial difficulties arose from high operational costs, significant losses, and expensive research. Energy costs and competition with cheaper traditional agriculture added to the strain. Legal issues and contract breaches further impacted operations.

For crop protection products development which is is highly grounded on research and innovation, successful new product introduction requires a well crafted brand model that will lead everyone to understand the brand/products. The brand model usually details key aspect of the products like features and benefits, competitor analysis, key buying factor drivers, brand personality, message map, and positioning statements. There are all vital for us to better understand new products and will lead to higher chances of success upon market introduction. This will ensure every key stakeholders are on same ground whenever we develop strategies for NPI launch.

Take the container farming business model as an example. Freight Farms' success stems from their innovative approach to farming using climate-controlled, vertical hydroponic systems in shipping containers. These modular farms enable food growth anywhere, promoting equitable access to fresh produce, especially in urban areas. Their solutions are accessible and economically viable, fitting into standard shipping containers and utilizing LED lights and water, eliminating the need for sun or soil. Additionally, Freight Farms expanded internationally by partnering with manufacturers to adapt their model for global markets, broadening their customer base which includes businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions

It's been demonstrated that farmers find a stable price and a stable market infinitely more transformative than a higher price alone. A great example of this is that when the govt in Kenya fixed the minimum price of unchilled raw milk, dairy farmers were able to access credit and increase their output.

Every farmer is a true high risk investor. Every year he puts millions of dollars in the ground and manage the crop to ensure his ROI. This makes every strategy and project towards agribusiness required to be tested together with the farmers. It is very common to farmers separate a part of their land to test new projects / technologies / varieties / etc. In Latin America, the key for success scaling innovation projects in agribusiness is to partner with the farmers, once beyond customers - some of them are starting to become startup / open innovation investors.

One thing I have found helpful is the enhancement of collaboration by fostering fostering partnerships with other businesses ( B2B strategies) , research institutions, and government agencies to leverage resources and expertise. Provision of training programs for farmers to ensure successful adoption of new practices and technologies is also of benefit.

Na maioria das vezes, o sucesso dos profissionais existentes em uma empresa sem foco e que nao performa, nao esta relacionado em se ter uma equipe capacitada/treinada ou nao. Em grande parte, a construcao de uma equipe comprometida, responsiva e forte, esta relacionada a clareza e transparencia na comunicacao interna entre gestores e equipe; esta relacionada tambem ao quanto o gestor principal, nos niveis de gerencia ou direcao, estao comprometidos e na forma com que relacionam com a equipe. Dosar equilibrio entre cobrancas por resultados e aliviar na aplicacao de politicas ou situacoes mais austeras, ao meu ver, faz parte da estrategia e da possibilidade de se perder a mao ou manter a equipe motivada para que as conquistas sejam obtidas.

Para construir uma equipe forte e uma cultura de inova??o é necessário primeiramente ter uma equipe diversificada com colaboradores que possuem diferentes experiências profissionais em um ambiente seguro para desenvolver uma cultura de inova??o consistente e desruptiva.

Modern leadership at Apple involves being authentic and principled, resonating with a startup's ethos of impactful and meaningful business practices. Startup decision-making structure facilitates reduced delays in decision making enabling to introduce of more innovative solutions at a faster rate compared to organizations with complex decision-making structures.

Every farmer is a true high risk investor. Every year he puts millions of dollars in the ground and manage the crop to ensure his ROI. This makes every strategy and project towards agribusiness required to be tested together with the farmers. It is very common to farmers separate a part of their land to test new projects / technologies / varieties / etc. In Latin America, the key for success scaling innovation projects in agribusiness is to partner with the farmers, once beyond customers - some of them are starting to become startup / open innovation investors.

Build a strong team and a culture of innovation :- Scaling an innovation project requires a strong team that can execute the vision, adapt to changes, and overcome challenges. You need to recruit, train, and retain the right talent, as well as foster a culture of innovation that encourages collaboration, learning, and experimentation. You also need to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and processes for your team, as well as align your incentives and rewards with your scaling goals.

En el ámbito de las asociaciones y redes, se destacan las asociaciones de índole comercial. Sin embargo, para que los agronegocios prosperen en los distintos países es imprescindible contar con una estrecha relación público-privada entre productores y los organismos encargados de velar por la sanidad animal y vegetal, y los encargados del comercio internacional. Hoy participar del mercado internacional con todas sus oportunidades, requiere de productores de alto nivel e instituciones garantes que permitan llegar a la mayor cantidad de mercados posibles. Para quienes no vivimos en países desarrollados, este camino es un pilar robusto que debemos explotar y ser un aporte en nuestras comunidades.

Sharing profits is better than sharing losses. New strategic partnerships could open new avenues for growth, reinforce existing revenue streams and build new ones. Smaller margin with large volume of sales is better than large margin and not breaking even.

Innovations scaling require a meticulous plan. Having end-user at the center of development, testing and roll-out. Iterate with the users on the design (UI) and mimic their usage journey (UX). The innovation desisn MUST respond to the end users needs, aspirations, perceptions, and behavior for sure it is easy to scale the innovation. at the center of all this ensure taking care of vulnerable target groups.

Would love to see matching Start-ups with larger/experienced enterprises in agribusiness. A large mass of producers “small-scale farmers” struggle with quality issues, market, and access to basic inputs; and these can be bridged effectively by larger actors in a mutually beneficial way. There’s a huge disconnect between upstream & downstream players, that perpetuates inefficiency! Active, commercially viable collaboration is key for all chain actors in agribusiness.

Scaling agribusiness innovation isn't a solo endeavor. In my journey, forming strategic partnerships has been a game-changer. Collaborate with like-minded organizations, industry leaders, and research institutions. At Agriknow, partnerships broadened our reach and amplified our impact. Leverage networks to access resources, expertise, and market insights. These collaborative efforts not only enhance scalability but also foster a vibrant ecosystem where shared knowledge propels innovation forward, creating a network effect that accelerates success.

Monitor and evaluate your progress and impact:- Scaling an innovation project is an iterative and dynamic process that requires constant monitoring and evaluation. You need to measure your progress and impact using relevant indicators, such as customer satisfaction, market share, revenue, profit, or social and environmental outcomes. You also need to collect and analyze data, feedback, and insights that can help you improve your performance, optimize your processes, and innovate your solutions.

Key factors for successful scaling up: 1) Engagement with value chains and private sectors. 2) Utilization of ICT and agro-advisory services. 3) Active policy engagement. 4) Strong leadership with participatory approaches. 5) Customized innovation design and adaptability. 6) Effective funding models and robust partnerships. 7) Utilization of commercial pathways for economic viability and market integration. These elements were crucial across diverse settings, facilitating the scaling up of agricultural operations effectively.

You can always be better on all levels . Implement AI-driven analytics to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as user engagement, adoption rates, and impact on crop yields. Collect feedback from farmers through surveys or focus groups to continuously improve the platform. Regularly review the scalability of the business model and adjust strategies based on market dynamics. Constant improvement and checking are crucial.

Keeping an eye on how we're doing and the impact we're making is important. It helps us see what's working, make improvements, and make better choices. Regular check-ins ensure we stay on course and actually make a positive difference. It's like a way of being responsible and always trying to do better.

Vigilant monitoring and evaluation are the compass and map for scaling agribusiness innovation. At Kendinebostan, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) ensured our vertical farming expansion stayed on course. Regular assessments provide insights into what works and what needs adjustment. Embrace data-driven decision-making, allowing you to course-correct dynamically. This continuous feedback loop not only safeguards the scalability of your project but also ensures that every step contributes to the desired impact, aligning innovation with meaningful progress.

Em minha carreira, uma demiss?o no ano de 2013, foi a grande virada de chave da minha vida. Naquele momento um garoto de 20 anos iniciando sua trajetória, tomou um choque: Fui demitido, e agora? Passei algum tempo refletindo sobre o que poderia ter feito melhor e sobre quais pontos eu deveria trabalhar para me desenvolver e evoluir como ser humano e como profissional. Hoje, passados muitos anos, me encontro numa posi??o em que as vezes preciso demitir alguém por quest?es de desempenho, por cultura, ou qualquer outro motivo que seja. Neste momento tento ser o mais humano possível para demonstrar que essa situa??o desagradável pode ser uma oportunidade de aprendizado, um balan?o pessoal para que nós alinhemos o “GPS” da nossa vida!

A verdadeira inova??o se revela mais nos erros do que nos acertos, destacando a importancia de uma análise aprofundada de ambos para impulsionar novas descobertas. A essência da aprendizagem reside na compreens?o dos fatores que contribuíram para fracassos e sucessos. Identificar essas lacunas requer uma mínima estrutura??o na gest?o de projetos. Para aprimorar essa abordagem, fa?o uso de diversas ferramentas, como o Notion. Essa plataforma possibilita uma visualiza??o abrangente do projeto, destacando erros de processo, gargalos e prazos, times alocados, etc. Através dessa análise, construo um modelo automatizado para embasar decis?es assertivas em projetos futuros, antecipando possíveis falhas e aumentando as taxas de sucesso.

A inova??o é uma das engrenagens de uma empresa que deseja se manter forte em um mercado competitivo, no entanto, quando trabalhamos com inova??o, por ser algo novo, os riscos relacionados s?o maiores. Dessa forma é importante ter uma plasticidade para mudan?as, aprender com as falhas, n?o se frustar com os fracassos e aprender com o processo. As maiores conquistas do mundo surgiram após muito persistência e por vezes por acidente.

As falhas ou fracassos devem ser enfrentados, de forma a analisar as causas subjacentes, identificar li??es valiosas e ajustar estratégias. Esta abordagem reflexiva contribui para a melhoria contínua, minimizando riscos futuros. Da mesma forma, ao celebrar sucessos, é importante entender os elementos que levaram ao êxito. Analisar as práticas bem-sucedidas auxilia na replica??o de estratégias eficazes e no refor?o de abordagens que contribuíram para o sucesso.

O sucesso nunca chega sem erros. O que importa é notar esses erros antes que eles se virem num fracasso sério demais. Eu acho que é muito mais fácil fazer corre??es no caminho do que perder esse caminho.

Bring in the market, the buyer first. Does the innovation result in people wanting to buy the product or service? Innovation in a vacuum will never scale, no matter how “cool” the technology. Find out what the buyer needs and what they would be filling to pay for.

Agribusiness innovation projects are no different than any other consumer products except for these aspects: 1. These are not impulse purchase items hence the value proposition has to be very clear. The income of a farm household depends on the decision to buy the product/service. 2. The results take time to show, atleast one crop cycle, even more, depending on the crop duration. 3. Complete conversions happen over a period of time. Even if convinced, farmers first try the product for a small part of their total crop area and then gradually increase the usage with each crop season. 4. It helps know the 'reason to believe' features that your product delivers. These can then be used for demonstrating impact on real farms.

Evaluate the Scaling Readiness Innovations are to be evaluated on their ability to have an impact at scale. Without the right scaling strategy and partnerships, many innovations fall into the ‘pilot project trap’ and fail to achieve global impact. 5 Steps to Successfully Scale Innovations: 1. Characterize: What we are trying to scale and why that is important. 2. Diagnosis: Test the readiness of innovations using evidence. 3. Strategize: Prioritize bottlenecks and address them in a cost-efficient manner. 4. Agree: Work with key stakeholders on the required strategies and partnerships. 5. Navigate: Implement the scaling strategy and see whether the strategy is leading to the desired results

Después de varios a?os de experiencia y de haber lanzado productos con innovación sustentable lo primero es generar una cultura en los equipos de PROPOSITO de mejorar las cosas, que tomen los riesgos como oportunidad de aprendizaje. Y que en cada proceso o producto lo analicen con la voluntad de pensarlo diferente. Sea grande, mediano o chico. Y sobretodo estos últimos dado que son los de mayor potencialidad por las razones de escala y menor riesgo Y es ahí cuando la se logra la cultura de APRENDER HACIENDO y de hacer un mundo mejor.

We can talk about two types of innovation projects in Agribusiness. Factors that we need to consider for scaling of interventions are different for both cases; 1. Farm level interventions to improve productivity, soil health and sustainability: most of the interventions are implemented by the donor agencies supporting smallholder farmers. These projects work well in pilot mode but lack large scale implementation because the farmers are less resourceful. A knowledge sharing system needs to be created at community level so that scaling up can take place and interventions become sustainable. 2. Startups in Agribusiness sector providing solutions to farmers: localised solution at low ticket size (cost) is one of the most effective solutions