Banks must extend credit to farmers. Research and training must be turned to irrigation design, new crops, water use efficiency and prevention of salinity. Only an integrated national effort that extends to the farm level succeeds. Centuries of experience, much of it governmental, have demonstrated the value of new plants and useful genes of established ones. Breeding, testing and demonstrating in the diverse locales and climates where farmers must cope with drought, pests, and different lengths of season have had high payoff and are essential for adaptation to climate change.
Education lies at the heart of technological transfer.
The public role is pre-eminent and must be supported. Policies and programmes that rely on practical demonstration have proven the most effective. Private business can inform about technology in advertisements or demonstrate it at fairs. Governments have a role in monitoring claims and educating broadly. Although the transfer of new varieties proceeds quickly and easily, transferring systems of management requires persistence.