Edited by Kate Wellard

Technology – seeds, breeds, fertility inputs, disease control, water management – is key to getting agriculture moving. Major investments have been made to support technology development and transfer, but impacts have been patchy. Lessons from across Africa show that the effectiveness of agricultural technology generation and dissemination institutions depends crucially on their relevance and responsiveness to farmer needs.

CAADP is calling for a paradigm shift away from a ‘technological package’ approach to a ‘truly integrated agricultural research’ approach – with national and international researchers working together with smallholders, pastoralists, extension agencies, the private sector and NGOs to achieve impact on the ground.