Methodology for Prioritizing Value-Added Options for Agricultural Products: Insights from Coconut-Producing Communities in Cauca, Colombia

Dayse Alexandra Delgado Eraso (), José Fernando Grass Ramírez and Ricardo Camacho Muñoz
Additional contact information
Dayse Alexandra Delgado Eraso: Faculty of Social and Human Science, Autonomous University Corporation of Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia
José Fernando Grass Ramírez: Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia
Ricardo Camacho Muñoz: Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Cauca, Popayán 190002, Colombia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: Most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean rely on agricultural products without value-added processes, resulting in limited profit margins and reduced economic and social development. This research was conducted as part of the “Strengthening of the Coconut Production Chain in the Cauca Pacific Coast—Copacífico” project. The primary aim of this endeavor was to develop and validate a methodology for the systematic prioritization of solutions aimed at enhancing the value proposition of coconut fiber (tow) within the communities situated along the Pacific coast of Cauca, Colombia. The methodology is based on a set of interconnected concepts: the innovation funnel, human-centered design, and social innovation, complemented by lean startup, scrum, design sprint, and the inventive problem-solving theory TRIZ. These concepts are integrated with the blue ocean strategy, value proposition, and CANVAS. The validation process focused on prioritizing value-added alternatives for coconut fiber by-products (such as coir), resulting in desirable, feasible, and viable solutions achieved through a robust and participatory methodology. Consequently, this methodology is deemed suitable for innovation processes in rural regions, requiring the collaboration of universities, companies, and governmental entities to formulate solutions aligned with the challenges and specific contexts of their territories, while focusing on sustainable development.

Keywords: adding value; prioritization; coconut; human-centered design; social innovation; business model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/21/15290/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/21/15290/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:21:p:15290-:d:1267429

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().