理解农业部门的技术扩散

Understanding Technology Diffusion inthe Agricultural Sector Jose Benjamin Falck-Zepeda International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI),Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit (IPS), Washington,D.C., USA, j.falck-zepeda@cgiar.org A background paper attached to World IntellectualProperty Organization (WIPO) World Intellectual PropertyReport 2026 Abstract The paper introduces the basic concepts related to adoption, diffusion and innovation inthe agricultural sector. This paper introduces relevant definitions and issues, examinesconceptual models of technology diffusion in agriculture, followed by a description of theprocess of technology discovery. The paper furthermore explores the channels andmechanisms of diffusion, the factors influencing adoption, the adaptation oftechnologies to local contexts, empirical studies illustrating innovation and diffusionpatterns, the role of government policies and international organizations, and the impactof technology diffusion on agricultural productivity, sustainable development, and foodsecurity and livelihoods. The paper then discusses innovation and diffusion ofagricultural biotechnologies and precision agricultural technologies by summarizing theexperiences and lessons learned from insect resistant and herbicide tolerant maize,insect resistant cotton and precision agriculture technologies in a selected set ofcountries. The paper draws up policy lessons and recommendations that may be usefulto policy and decision makers considering such technologies in their jurisdiction. Keywords:innovation, diffusion, genetically modified crops, agriculture, LeastDeveloped Countries JEL: O13 Agriculture • Natural Resources • Energy • Environment • Other Primary Products O33 Technological Change: Choices and Consequences • Diffusion Processes Q16 R&D • Agricultural Technology • Biofuels • Agricultural Extension Services O31 Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives Acknowledgements We gratefully acknowledge the peer review and suggestions by Debisi O. Araba(Imperial College UK/ Malabo Montpellier Panel) and Keith Fuglie (USDA-ERA andFood Security Leadership Council). We also gratefully acknowledge the coordination,leadership and feedback from the WIPO team facilitating this effort including IntanHamdan-Livramento, Maryam Abolhassani, Janete Rungo, Julio Raffo, Maria de lasMercedes Menendez de Medina and others. Finally, we thank the interactions andideas/knowledge exchanges with Charles DeGrazia (EM Léonard De Vinci - EMLV) andNicholas Rada (US-PTO). The ideas and content of this report are solely theresponsibility of the author, not of IFPRI, WIPO or any other of the institutionssupporting this paper. Disclaimer The use of trademarks, name brands, company and product names must not beconsidered endorsement, promotion, validation or recommendation by the author. Dueto many changes in the seed and pesticide industry through mergers and acquisitions,we will make use of the current company when a legacy company is mentioned in thetext. Introduction to Paper Series This is the first paper in a two part paper series. The structure of these papers is asfollows. The first paper “Understanding and Characterizing Technology Diffusion in theAgricultural Sector - The case of Bt/HT maize, Bt cotton and precision agriculturaltechnologies” introduces the basic concepts related to adoption, diffusion andinnovation in the agricultural sector. This paper discusses relevant definitions,examines the conceptual models of technology diffusion in agriculture, followed by adescription of the process of technology discovery. The paper explores the channelsand mechanisms of diffusion, the factors influencing adoption, the adaptation oftechnologies to local contexts, empirical studies illustrating diffusion patterns, the role ofgovernment policies and international organizations, and finally, the impact oftechnology diffusion on agricultural productivity, sustainability, and rural livelihoods. The paper compares and contrasts the experiences between two biotechnologyapplications in maize and cotton, with that of precision agricultural technologies in aselected set of countries. This paper develops an international and muti-regionalcharacterization of the diffusion, adoption and adaptation of agricultural innovation. Thepaper contrasts the roles of public, private and mixed public and private sectorsexperiences with a focus on genetically modified crops, while briefly discussingemerging genome edited crop experiences. The paper discusses who are theinnovators, agricultural flows, and the enabling environment issues which determineoutcomes. The Annex of Paper 1 discusses a proposed conceptual framework that may be used toexamine comprehensively the agricultural innovation process considering relevantfactors identified in this background paper including the product life cycle, scaling-up,enabling environment, information & knowledge flows and political economy issues.Paper 2 presents