In many emerging economies, researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs face many barriers to successfully commercializing innovations. Limited exposure to the commercial sector, less developed technological capability, and a general focus on academic publishing instead of intellectual property (IP) means that in many cases it is easier and less risky for companies to purchase technology from abroad instead of developing it locally. Many of these economies are also based on agricultural commodities, and slim profit margins make it difficult for players in the agricultural industry to take a risk on a locally developed technology that has yet to be proven.