Innovation in agriculture has been driven by new approaches focused on sustainable and technological development. Among these approaches, Living Labs emerge as an effective strategy to promote collaboration between researchers, educational institutions, organizations, farmers and society. This study analyzes how two international models of living labs — VivAgriLab and AgroLab Uniandes — can inspire experiences in Brazilian universities, encouraging transdisciplinary research projects that integrate academics and diverse territorial actors.

The study conducted by researcher Laura Martins de Carvalho (CEUCI-Unicamp) in collaboration with Professor Zilma Borges (FGV-EAESP/Ceapg) and Janaina Kimpara (Embrapa), used the Case Study methodology, combining bibliographic research, documentary analysis and secondary data collection.

 

Labs promote open innovation in agriculture, but present distinct challenges in accessibility and scalability of technologies.

VivAgriLab, located on the Paris-Saclay campus, stands out for integrating civil society organized around agriculture and environmental preservation. It promotes interaction between academia and society, facilitating the ecological and agroecological transition through open innovation. Its model can be replicated in Brazilian universities, provided there is involvement of the local community and adequate support policies.

Meanwhile, AgroLab Uniandes in Colombia emphasizes co-creation and experimentation in urban agriculture, combining traditional knowledge and cutting-edge technology. Despite the advantages in efficiency and precision, the model raises concerns about accessibility. Small urban farmers may have difficulty adopting highly technological solutions due to high costs, which could widen inequalities in the sector.

Adapting living lab models to Brazil presents challenges, but also significant opportunities

The Living Labs methodology is beginning to grow in the country, and the authors analyze its association with Innovation Districts as a way to boost the development of an urban region. The intersection of these approaches proposes that Universities can play a central role in knowledge-based urban development (KBUD), functioning as innovation anchors and collaboration centers. In the case of Urban Agriculture, to ensure that the technology benefits a broad audience, it is essential to associate it with robust education and training programs and to use interactive feedback processes throughout the life cycle of an innovation to create a sustainable impact. In this way, Living Labs can become a powerful tool for climate resilience and food security in Brazilian cities.

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