Bridging Science and Smallholder Farming

The Knowledge‐Technology‐Community Framework for Sustainable Crop Production

Bibliographic Data

ID12306708
AuthorsXinxin Zhang (0000-0002-2975-6800, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant‐Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences China Agricultural University Beijing China), Donasius Pathera (0009-0003-3406-9735, Malawi Office, FAO Lilongwe Malawi), Wei Jiang (0000-0002-0811-0648, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant‐Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences China Agricultural University Beijing China), Francina Lerato Kuwali (National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant‐Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences China Agricultural University Beijing China), Derara Sori Feyisa (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Addis Ababa Ethiopia), Yajuan Li (0000-0002-5787-0459, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant‐Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences China Agricultural University Beijing China), Xiaoqiang Jiao (0000-0001-6722-2036, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant‐Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences China Agricultural University Beijing China, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume34
Issue3
Pages4291-4308
Publication date2025-12-15
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSustainable Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-0802 • E-ISSN: 1099-1719
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/sd.70570
OpenAlexW4417346273
LanguageEN
References cited56

Localized innovation and smallholder capacity are critical for sustainable food production, yet community‐based approaches are often overlooked. This study introduces the “Knowledge‐Technology‐Community (KTC)” framework, embedding scientists in communities to localize knowledge and empower smallholders through participatory research, fostering an enabling environment for sustained technology adoption. Field trials involved 228 farmers in Science and Technology Backyards (FIS), 207 neighboring farmers (FNS), and 91 control farmers (FP). Over 2 years, FIS achieved 21.1% higher net profits, 13.6% greater partial factor productivity of fertilizer, and 10.3% lower greenhouse gas intensity versus FP. Gains resulted from locally adapted technology packages by iterative co‐innovation and high adoption. FIS also enhanced technical knowledge and farmer‐scientist interaction. Embedded science groups enabled sustained engagement and behavior change. The KTC framework bridges science and smallholder farming and advances SDGs 2, 12, 13, and 17, demonstrating global potential for collaborative agricultural sustainability

Agricultural productivity · Agriculture · Bridging (networking · Citizen journalism · Crop Management · Crop production · Production (economics · Productivity · Sustainable agriculture · Agricultural Innovations and Practices · Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development · Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agriculture

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