The socio-political dimensions of agricultural technology promotion in Ethiopia

Abstract

local elites/authorities. To be able to meaningfully participate in and benefit from AR4D initiatives, an equal level playing field should be created first. Impact investors and AR4D initiatives need to reflect on their own role in relation to (local) partners, acknowledging that they are part of a larger arena of power structures and have a responsibility in addressing these. A proper power analysis would help to uncover underlying sociotechnical structures that inhibit change, and (latent) opportunities to ban exclusionist practices. Part of such power analysis is also an assessment of the political will among powerful players (including impact investors) to address power dimensions and change the status quo.