Factors influencing the adoption of new technologies in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review of the literature

Sub-Saharan Africa has not benefited sufficiently from the great revolutions in the agricultural world that have made it possible to increase productivity. Despite the existence of new technologies, levels of agricultural productivity remain low, and lower than those of other developing regions. A number of factors, including constraints on the adoption of new technologies, could explain this low productivity. Indeed, the adoption of new technologies in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by several factors, including the socio-economic characteristics of households, the mode of operation and management of production, market practices, processing characteristics, and the degree of awareness and social networks. It is essential to consider these factors if new programmes and projects for introducing and disseminating new technologies are to be successful. This would help increase productivity, and thereby reduce poverty and food insecurity across the continent.