The empirical results offer evidence to address the study’s two main research questions. Considering RQ1 (factors influencing technology adoption), the farm household survey reports adoption of a range of agricultural technologies, many of which have led to profound social, economic and environmental change. The survey also shows that adoption has been mediated primarily by DTDP, which is considered the most trusted and authoritative source of advice, and in some cases, the only source cited. Although monetary drivers (buyer needs, cost reduction, higher market price, and reduced production risk) were most frequently reported as the primary reason for adoption, non-monetary reasons (peer pressure, protection of the environment) were also important. Moreover, collective implementation of some technologies suggests a long-term perspective among farmers, in keeping with the project’s sustainable development philosophy.
The second research question RQ2 concerns DTDP’s institutional interventions and their modality;; the study has identified a range of specific institutions that influence technology adoption via three primary modalities: risk reduction, knowledge provision and welfare enhancement (see Table 4: Typology of institutional interventions at DTDP).