Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face growing pressure to produce more on less land while contending with worsening impacts of climate change. The need for sustainable intensification has rekindled calls for a “Green Revolution” in the region, centered on the widespread adoption of modern inputs such as hybrid seeds and inorganic fertilizers. But introducing new agricultural technologies is not just a matter of making such inputs available; it also requires convincing farmers to try them.
One common strategy to promote adoption is the distribution of free (or subsidized) starter packs—for example, small quantities of seed and/or fertilizers given to farmers as testers. These trial packs are designed to reduce the risk of experimentation, kick-start investment in improved technologies, and stimulate peer learning. In theory, farmers who successfully try out a new variety may go on to purchase it again, and their neighbors might follow suit. Public agencies also view trial packs as a tool to increase turnover in seed markets and diversify the genetic base of crops.