Technology Awareness and Implementation for Smallholder Farmers.

Based on an historical view of agriculture, decades of research, and continual measurement of results, we know what works. A combination of plant breeding, biotechnology, and agronomy has delivered continual improvements in productivity and sustainability – including high yields, efficient use of resources, a healthy food supply, and healthy soils – where technology has been applied. Yet many regions of the agricultural production system have been left out of even basic productivity improvements, especially in emerging markets where smallholder farmers dominate.

Breeding for consistent and significant genetic gain is a numbers gain, so requires scale or highly efficient use of resources, or both, to meet often complex needs of growers and consumers. When implemented, positive results are possible in optimal and harsh growing conditions, and for both industrial size and smallholder farmers. Solutions exist for modernizing public and private breeding programs.

Improved agronomics, including appropriate use of fertilizer, optimum plant populations, and improved pest management are available technology with proven results, but can only be implemented via an effective extension and demonstration effort, while also ensuring an affordable source of quality inputs. Improved agronomics may be the least novel of available technologies, but may also be the most challenging to implement because of necessary behavioral change and the prerequisite link of smallholder farmers to suppliers and markets.

A number of useful and new technologies are available which may help lower the cost of goods and improve quality for small seed companies, while also providing greater productivity, food and nutrition security for farmers. While select examples of country and regional success provide models for implementation and a path forward, no technology or effort will be successful without an enabling environment created by good policy.