Moreover, in-depth interviews with DTDP executives and staff revealed a selective policy towards screening technologies
to recommend to farmers. In general, new technologies are favoured if they (a) have zero or low capital requirement; (b)
can be readily adopted by unskilled farmers with a low level of risk; and (c) can create social/environmental, as well as
individual benefit. For example, mechanization is generally limited to the use of small machinery such as grass-cutters,
since to promote further intensification would risk displacing farm labour. Technologies or practices that carry known
inherent environmental risks (e.g. use of chemical pesticides) are recommended only where there are no feasible
alternatives. Innovations held to contribute to long-term sustainability are most favoured. Technology screening is thus
used as a key tool for shaping the trajectory of sustainable development at DTDP.