Little is known about effective ways to operationalize agricultural innovation processes. The authors of this article use the MasAgro program in Mexico (which aims to increase maize and wheat productivity, profitability and sustainability), and the experiences of middle level ‘hub managers’, to understand how innovation processes occur in heterogeneous and changing contexts. Their research shows how a program, that initially had a relatively narrow technology focus, evolved towards an innovation system approach.

This paper uses the Mexican Sustainable Modernisation of Traditional Agriculture (Ma-sAgro) programme as a case study to analyse the challenges to operationalizing agricultural innovation systems. The authors outline the relationship between Mexico ́s extension approaches and global trends in technological change. They then analyse how MasAgro ́s innovatio nnetworks are operationalized. Thirdly, is identified ways to efficiently target in innovation networks, using a case-study from the state of Chiapas. Finally, the paper draw lessons from MasAgro ́s innovation systems.

There is great untapped potential for farm mechanization to support rural development initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. As technology transfer of large machinery from high-income countries was ineffective during the 1980s and 90s, mechanization options were developed appropriate to resource poor farmers cultivating small and scattered plots. More recently, projects that aim to increase the adoption of farm machinery have tended to target service providers rather than individual farmers.