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

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.