Sometimes they are not assisted but marginalized by the forces of development, and are often without the knowledge and incentives to create the surplus that could potentially bring relief and progress to both themselves and the urban poor. The informal institutions that ensured knowledge was generated and preserved in traditional societies have often been eroded, and in the wake of liberalization and privatization many of those created earlier to foster innovation in agriculture and rural life have come under threat. They are replaced not by more creative and dynamic institutions, but by nothing. Unlike richer groups, the poor often do not have the insights and purchasing power to gain access to innovation, and in a society aiming to better life for all, they tend to become further marginalized. Public institutions play a critical role in providing homes for the knowledge that is needed for and produced by innovation, and in ensuring that the poor have access to this knowledge.
Innovation can only thrive in supportive structures, in turn supported by relevant policies.
Together with our awareness of and ability to tap into traditional wisdom, this means that much more knowledge is becoming available to help the poor become more food secure, and in a more sustainable manner. In our quest for frontier science to become relevant for the poor in liberalized and globalized economies, we are challenged to ensure that this knowledge is anchored in strong institutions in developing countries. The modernization of existing public agricultural research structures is vitally important to make them more responsive, efficient, targeted, and democratic. New interfaces between agricultural research institutes and other academic environments, including universities, can help eliminate ivory-tower tendencies in countries that need applied knowledge. The involvement of nongovernmental organizations and farmers' associations can also yield significant benefits.