This note, part of the RAI Knowledge into Action Notes series, provides guidance to
governments and investors on how best to support the
development and transfer of technologies to local
smallholders and communities. New technology can help boost
production and productivity in the agriculture sector and,
given the growing global demand forfood and fiber and the
limits of natural resources, has the potential to
substantially raise incomes for smallholders and rural
communities. Improving mechanisms to increase the
transmission and adoption of technologies is important for
building technological capability in developing countries.
The importation and adoption of productivity-enhancing
technologies in part depends on investors’ support and
training efforts but ultimately will fail if local
smallholders acting as partners in the value chain do not
achieve gains that warrant the embrace and use of technology.