Technological Change in Rainfed Farming Systems : Implications for Their Function, Productivity, Stability and Sustainability

This chapter examines technological change in agriculture and its implications for the functioning, productivity, stability and sustainability of rainfed farming systems. The need for a systems approach to avoid unintended consequences is considered along with the contribution of plant breeding, changes in tillage practice, crop residue management, use of cover crops, weed, insect and disease management, plant nutrition and fertiliser use, biotechnology, precision farming and automation, modeling and decision support methodologies. The chapter also examines the impacts of past technological change, and current technology and the potential for future innovation.