Identifying technology innovations for marginalized smallholders-A conceptual approach

Mohammad Abdul Malek; Franz W Gatzweiler; Joachim Von Braun

doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.03.002

Identifying technology innovations for marginalized smallholders-A conceptual approach

Technol Soc. 2017 May:49:48-56. doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2017.03.002.

Authors

Mohammad Abdul Malek¹, Franz W Gatzweiler², Joachim Von Braun³

Affiliations

¹ University of Bonn-Center for Development Research (ZEF), BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
² University of Bonn-ZEF, Chinese Academy of Sciences -Institute of Urban Environment, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany.
³ University of Bonn-ZEF, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany.

Abstract

This paper adds a contribution in the existing literature in terms of theoretical and conceptual background for the identification of idle potentials of marginal rural areas and people by means of technological and institutional innovations. The approach follows ex-ante assessment for identifying suitable technology and institutional innovations for marginalized smallholders in marginal areas-divided into three main parts (mapping, surveying and evaluating) and several steps. Finally, it contributes to the inclusion of marginalized smallholders by an improved way of understanding the interactions between technology needs, farming systems, ecological resources and poverty characteristics in the different segments of the poor, and to link these insights with productivity enhancing technologies.

Keywords: Business plan; Ex-ante approach; Green revolution; Marginality hotspots; Small holders' potentials; Technological and institutional innovations.