In the heart of Montpellier, France, a team of researchers led by Kevin Daudin from the University of Montpellier is challenging the status quo of irrigation technology adoption. Their work, recently published in the journal *Agricultural Water Management* (translated as *Water Management in Agriculture*), sheds light on the intricate dance between technology, farmers, and researchers in the quest for efficient, low-cost irrigation solutions.
The team’s multi-country action-research project focused on the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in irrigation systems, particularly in smallholder farms where such technologies are often underutilized. The crux of their approach? Co-innovation through a “low-tech” lens, which emphasizes adaptability and accessibility.
Daudin and his colleagues found that for researchers, this co-innovation journey is far from straightforward. “Being involved in such co-innovation approaches can be challenging,” Daudin explains. “Researchers have to continually adapt technological interventions to the social and environmental conditions.” This adaptability is crucial, as it allows technologies to be tailored to each local context, making them more accessible to farmers.
The team developed a methodology to assess the interplay between local contexts, technologies, and facilitation processes from a researcher’s perspective. They documented several on-farm experimentations through qualitative interviews, revealing the complexities of adapting technology to micro-desires and microenvironments.
One of the key findings was the importance of ICT makerspaces in agricultural settings. These spaces serve as hubs for innovation, enabling farmers to make, maintain, and reproduce technological objects. However, this process involves a great deal of information and facilitation work, requiring researchers to adjust, relocate efforts, and develop new skills.
The research raises thought-provoking questions about driving change in complex contexts while respecting limited timelines. It also opens up perspectives for clustering initiatives and capitalizing on researchers’ feedback. As Daudin puts it, “Low-tech approaches are promising solutions to address irrigation efficiency challenges, but their implementation in real-world contexts forces researchers to adjust and develop new facilitating skills.”
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing issue, efficient irrigation systems are not just a agricultural concern but an energy one as well. The adoption of low-tech, adaptable ICTs could lead to substantial water savings, reducing the energy demand for pumping and treating water. Moreover, the co-innovation approach could pave the way for more sustainable and farmer-centric technological developments.
This research is a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to rethink how technologies are developed and implemented. It underscores the need for adaptability, collaboration, and a deep understanding of local contexts. As we grapple with the challenges of climate change and resource scarcity, such insights are invaluable in shaping a more sustainable future.
In the words of Daudin, “This research finally raises questions about how to drive change in complex contexts while respecting strictly limited timelines.” It’s a challenge that demands our attention, and one that this pioneering work has begun to address.