Farmers would not be unique in attempting to minimize the amount of knowledge needed in order to conduct their operations. Many innovations reduce farmers' flexibility. Farmers like flexibility because it means that they can change commodities in responses to prices and climatic conditions. Perennial pastures lock farmers into grazing. Zero-tillage systems with chemical control of weeds restrict the range of crops that can be grown and the rotations of those crops.
Farmers are quite likely to resist the adoption of new technology that restricts their flexibility.
In a situation of fluctuating market prices, farmers are acting rationally by wanting to maintain flexibility. Economists and physical scientists would readily accept that the lack of appropriate infrastructure in the region is a barrier to adoption. Many types of commodities are tied to particular marketing infrastructures that may not exist in certain areas. Consequently, adoption is not likely unless the appropriate infrastructure exists. We need to take account not only of physical infrastructure but also of a social infrastructure, particularly networks between producers.