The role of technology in inclusive innovation of urban agriculture

Inclusive innovation seeks to understand how technology can provide benefits for the marginalized groups. However, the role technology might play in inclusive innovation of urban agriculture is not well understood. We review and reflect on the term 'inclusive innovation' and its role in providing benefits of technology for the marginalized groups in urban agriculture. Through review of journal articles and grey literature, we find that inclusive innovation projects in urban agriculture address three key problems of different marginalized groups, which include women food entrepreneurs but also other groups: (i) support to marginalized groups to organize into entrepreneur groups to improve their voice and power; (ii) value, document and promote the unique knowledge and innovative practices of marginalized groups in using traditional and scientific knowledge; and (iii) facilitate inclusive business connections for the marginalized groups to sustainably grow their businesses. Overall, there are efforts to use simple technology and innovation like sack gardening and backyard gardening in urban agriculture. However, joint-creation of knowledge with the marginalized groups to design and use such technologies can result in inclusive innovations (viz. products, services, policies) for groups and urban agricultural development.