A framework integrating agile software development principles for co-design and participatory cost-benefit evaluation in digital agriculture

Digital innovation in agriculture often struggles to meet real operational needs due to limited stakeholder involvement and insufficient assessment of context-specific costs and benefits. To bridge this gap this paper introduces AGILE- CBA, a methodological framework that (a) integrates co-design practices, (b) is structured through a Scrum Agile development process, and (c) includes a participatory cost-benefit evaluation. The framework organises co-design into a seven-step iterative cycle, embedding a five-step participatory assessment loop within each sprint. This dual structure enables the continuous and situated evaluation of both expected and observed costs and benefits, encompassing tangible and intangible aspects. By aligning key Scrum practices, such as backlog management, sprint reviews and retrospectives, with facilitated dialogue and collective reflection, AGILE-CBA can support more informed prioritisation, enhances context relevance, and reduces adoption risks. Facilitators play a crucial role in mediating communication and adjusting the pace and content of participatory activities to seasonal workloads and user capabilities. The approach is particularly suited to farming systems characterised by variability, environmental and seasonal dependency, and multi-actor complexity, offering a flexible and replicable pathway toward more inclusive, context-aware, and sustainable digital agriculture.