Honduras - Stakeholder workshop: assessing scalability of innovations

Challenges in the food system

Despite the global food sector being one of the largest sources of income and employment, it continues to struggle to provide decent livelihoods for billions of people. Weaknesses and inefficiencies within food value chains result in poor economic outcomes for workers, particularly in rural and urban agri-food sectors. These challenges are further compounded by environmental impacts and inequities in income distribution, leaving many unable to afford nutritious food. The Transforming Food Markets Initiative seeks to address these issues by generating evidence-based solutions that improve income, employment, and environmental sustainability across food production chains.

Innovations driving the future of food system

The workshop in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, held on October 22-23, 2024, focused on presenting innovative solutions implemented to address the challenges within the coffee, corn, and bean value chains. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to engage in knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving. The primary goal was to identify challenges in scaling bundled innovations, co-create pathways to overcome them, and expand their implementation across food systems, with an emphasis on policy changes and resource mobilisation.

Deep dive into innovations

During the workshop, targeted interventions were presented, each designed to address specific challenges within the coffee, corn, and bean value chains. These interventions included a range of innovative solutions aimed at overcoming key barriers such as inefficiencies, lack of coordination, and gender inequities. Each intervention provided valuable insights into the challenges faced, highlighting both the opportunities and lessons learned throughout the process.

Work Package 1: Improving coffee value chain dynamics

Digital coffee quality assessment system

Innovation overview

This innovation aims to enhance the quality control of coffee at the point of purchase. Using technology, the system allows for real-time quality assessments and improves traceability within the coffee supply chain. By sending quality reports via SMS and email, the system fosters better communication between producers, technicians, and intermediaries, ensuring that quality standards are met across the value chain.

Challenges

The main challenges encountered included fragmentation within the supply chain, which led to difficulties in coordination among multiple intermediaries. There was also resistance from producers, who were hesitant to accept recommendations on quality improvements, and logistical issues due to limited access to farms.

Lessons learned

Successful scaling of the innovation depends on strengthening relationships and building trust among all stakeholders. Clear communication and technical training are essential to increase acceptance of new practices, and long-term sustainability requires continued engagement from intermediaries and support for producers.

Digital infrastructure for traceability

Innovation overview

This innovation introduces a digital infrastructure designed to improve traceability and facilitate horizontal coordination within export supply chains. By developing a digital platform for information exchange, it bridges gaps between various actors, promoting transparency and efficiency in the coffee sector.

Challenges

Key challenges included limited digital capabilities among stakeholders, mistrust between organisations, and the high costs associated with implementing and maintaining digital infrastructure. Additionally, the lack of a robust regulatory framework posed significant obstacles.

Lessons learned

The development of digital infrastructure requires not only technological solutions but also strong collaboration and trust-building efforts. Expanding beyond EUDR compliance and integrating broader value chain actors could enhance the long-term impact and sustainability of the infrastructure.

Gender equity in coffee supply chains

Innovation overview

This initiative focuses on creating a more equitable coffee supply chain by addressing gender disparities. Using an intersectional approach, the innovation aims to better understand the diverse experiences of women in the supply chain and recommend actions to strengthen their role in the sector.

Challenges

One of the main challenges was ensuring broad participation from women across different socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, aligning the innovation with the existing gender policies in the coffee sector was critical to ensure relevance and impact.

Lessons learned

Engaging with various stakeholders, including coffee producers, cooperatives, and policymakers, is key to understanding demand and ensuring that the innovation is inclusive. Ongoing consultations and training are essential to ensure that the recommendations are effectively implemented and that women’s roles are strengthened within the supply chain.

Work Package 2: Improving beans and corn value chain dynamics

Strengthening knowledge and business relationships among associated bean producers

Innovation overview

This innovation focuses on enhancing the quality and marketing of beans through two key interventions: on-site grain quality testing and the preparation of digital messages with technical information. The goal is to improve management and post-harvest practices, which will lead to better quality grains, stronger business relationships, and improved income for bean producers.

Challenges

Key challenges included climate variability, the capacity of associations to manage and coordinate the innovations, and logistical issues such as ensuring timely training and the availability of cellular network coverage for digital communication.

Lessons learned

Developing the capacities of associations and strengthening relationships among producers and associations is a slow but necessary process. A key improvement would be the timely implementation of training sessions and the use of more reliable digital technologies for communication and quality testing.

Design and formulation of processed foods based on corn and beans

Innovation overview

This innovation focuses on the design and consumer acceptance of healthier processed food options, specifically corn chips made with alternative flours such as chia-flaxseed, beetroot, and beans. It also includes packaging cooked whole beans in vertical stand-up pouches to improve consumer accessibility.

Challenges

Scaling production of these nutritious foods in SMEs remains a challenge, primarily due to the lack of infrastructure, financial access, and technical training. Overcoming these limitations is crucial for the success of the innovation.

Lessons learned

Despite challenges, there is significant potential for SMEs to enrich the local diet and offer healthier options, especially when working with local consumer preferences. To succeed, SMEs need better access to financing, improved infrastructure, and enhanced technical capabilities to meet market demands.

Vertical bag packaging for cooked whole beans

Innovation overview

The innovation explores the use of vertical stand-up pouches for packaging cooked whole beans, which was well-received by consumers in Honduras. The packaging allows for better visibility and improved consumer engagement, with a focus on the nutritional information provided on the packaging.

Challenges

A key challenge is scaling production for wider distribution among SMEs. The primary constraints include limited financial resources, insufficient infrastructure, and difficulty competing with established large-scale industries.

Lessons learned

There is clear consumer demand for well-packaged, nutritious products. To tap into this opportunity, SMEs must overcome logistical and financial barriers while collaborating with partners to scale production and meet demand in larger markets.

Assessing the scalability of innovation

Innovation scalability

Innovation scalability refers to the ability of an innovation to adapt as it expands across different contexts. The key challenge is maintaining its core effectiveness while adjusting it to new settings. As the innovation scales, it is often necessary to recalibrate its performance and impact, while carefully managing any trade-offs that arise.

Interventions characteristics

The scalability of an innovation is influenced by several factors, including its type, maturity, and the resources required for implementation. Innovations can be classified as incremental, radical, or disruptive. Incremental innovations build on existing ideas and are generally easier to scale, as they align with established structures. Radical innovations, on the other hand, challenge current systems, often facing significant resistance and requiring major market changes. Disruptive innovations offer the potential for high rewards but are more difficult to scale due to their transformative nature.

The maturity of an innovation within the market also plays a crucial role. Well-established innovations with a proven track record are easier to scale, as they have clear pathways to wider adoption. In contrast, emerging innovations may require further development, testing, and adaptation to ensure their success.

Timing and the level of investment needed are also essential to consider. Innovations that demand substantial upfront investment in infrastructure or resources may take longer to scale but can offer greater long-term benefits. Moreover, the desired impacts must be incorporated into scalability assessments, as these goals influence the willingness of stakeholders and communities to embrace the innovation

Scaling potential

For an innovation to scale effectively, it must have a well-defined adoption path and a broad user base. Innovations already being utilised by a core group of adopters, whether in a specific community, sector, or region, are more likely to transition smoothly to a wider audience. However, successful scaling also depends on how accessible and affordable the innovation is for potential new users.

The speed of scaling is influenced by factors such as geographical reach and the time frame for expansion. A local innovation might work well in a specific area but may need modifications to be suitable for larger or more diverse markets. Scaling also depends on sufficient infrastructure, policy support, and market demand.

Additionally, scaling innovations can sometimes lead to unintended negative outcomes, such as market disruption or environmental consequences. As the innovation expands, it is important to monitor its impact and adjust its application to minimise these trade-offs, ensuring that the benefits outweigh any potential downsides.

Context

The context in which an innovation scales is another important factor. New conditions, such as shifts in market demand, may arise as the innovation reaches new regions or sectors. For instance, a digital tool designed to improve agricultural practices may face different challenges in rural areas with limited internet access compared to urban areas with better infrastructure.

The innovation’s ability to adapt to these new conditions is crucial for its scalability. Flexibility is essential as innovations must be capable of adjusting to changing market dynamics, climate conditions, and local infrastructure in order to remain relevant and impactful as they expand.

Scaling preparedness

Scaling preparedness is the capacity to develop the necessary systems, capabilities, and relationships to successfully scale an innovation. It involves ensuring that key stakeholders, such as public and private sector actors, local communities, and innovation developers, are ready to support the scaling process. This requires proactive planning, investment, and collaboration across sectors. A well-prepared ecosystem, with strong networks and knowledge-sharing platforms, enables the efficient transition from pilot to broader implementation.

Stakeholder engagement

Successful scaling hinges on effective engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders, each with varying interests and levels of involvement. The willingness of stakeholders to support the scaling process depends on their alignment with the innovation’s goals and their confidence in its benefits. Strategic engagement, focused on fostering trust, sharing knowledge, and addressing concerns, is key to building broad support for innovation. The more engaged the stakeholders, the greater the likelihood of successful scaling and long-term adoption.

Stakeholder commitment

For scaling to be sustainable, stakeholders must not only participate but also demonstrate ongoing commitment to the innovation. This includes investing financial, human, and technical resources and ensuring that all involved parties are responsible for their roles in the process. Strong stakeholder commitment drives the continued success of the innovation, as those who are invested in its development are more likely to advocate for its expansion and maintenance.

Accountability

Accountability ensures that all stakeholders remain responsible for their roles in scaling the innovation, with clear expectations and resource allocations. It involves monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and making adjustments to ensure effective use of resources. The long-term success of scaling efforts requires stakeholders to remain engaged and adapt to new conditions as they arise, ensuring that the innovation evolves to meet the demands of different contexts and remains relevant as it expands.

Additional resources

For further insights and to explore the topics discussed in the workshops, access the presentations for Work Package 1 here in English and here in Spanish, and Work Package 2 here in English and here in Spanish.

We also encourage you to join our Discussion Forum, where you can ask questions, share insights, or engage in further discussions on the topics presented. This platform provides an opportunity for ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange within the community.