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Agricultural innovation: invention and adoption or change and adaptation?

Marijke van der Veen · 2010 · World Archaeology

Summary. Agricultural innovations arise from farmers and craftspeople making practical modifications to existing tools and practices rather than from radical new inventions. Most improvements target crops, animals, growing conditions, implements, or management practices. Farmers adapt existing technologies to their needs rather than simply adopting new ones. When multiple improvements across different farming areas reach critical mass simultaneously, they can produce revolutionary societal impacts.

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Veen, M. V. D.. (2010). Agricultural innovation: invention and adoption or change and adaptation?. World Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438240903429649

Details

DOI
10.1080/00438240903429649
Countries
United Kingdom
Regions
Europe
Categories
agtech, innovation-theory
Added
2026-04-28