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Bolivia's agricultural sector is characterized by insufficient use of advanced knowledge and technology in production and processing, despite the continuous efforts of public and semi-public research and extension agencies and development cooperation. A common hypothesis to explain low innovation rates is that knowledge and technology promoted through various development initiatives does not match local absorptive capabilities in the farming community.

This report analyzes the relationship between the adoption of innovation packages in quinoa cultivation and absorptive capabilities in resource poor farming communities in four micro-regions of the Bolivian Altiplano. The innovation packages studied consist of: the use of special seeders (SATIRI), seeding of improved varieties, application of special pest and disease control measures, application of animal manure, introducing "singing" tapes against birds, use of special baskets for seeding, special harvesting techniques (sickle cut), an application new threshing technology. These components of innovation packages have been used to varying degrees with different channels of information exchange and training methods, resulting in various levels of benefit to the producers.

The four different providers of innovation packages were: (1) the PROINPA research foundation, executing a project on quinoa seed production financed by the Altiplano Foundation in the frame of an applied research and transfer project (PITA) of the Bolivian System of Agricultural Technology (SIBTA), (2) the NGO, Centre for Technical Humanistic Agricultural Education and the Program on Socioeconomic Initiatives (CETHA-PAIS), (3) the Suka Kollus program, with financing from COSUDE, and (4) a cultivation and processing package commonly used in the Southern Altiplano region, which includes innovative elements from various institutions promoting quinoa production, as well as from buyers that process and export quinoa.

One hundred twenty producers were interviewed. This information was complemented by interviews with key actors and knowledge and technology providers in the quinoa sector. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistical tools, as well as econometric methods and social network analysis. The study focused on three general factors determining innovation: (1) the utility of the innovation package transferred by different technology providers, (2) the individual absorptive capability of the producers who potentially can adopt the package, and (3) collective absorptive capabilities, referring to the networks and interactions that allow the agents to exchange knowledge and information about the packages. The use of innovation was indicated through a cumulative indicator of use of the various elements of the innovation packages.

Results show that the level of use varies between the different innovation packages. These differences can be explained by socio-cultural and agro-climatic conditions in the different study regions and the destination of the production (if it is for home consumption or the market). Levels of adoption range from medium to low. The approximate average degree of use of the different packages is 62% for PROINPA, 56% for South Altiplano, 40% for PROSUKO, and 26% for CETHA-PAIS.

Positive perceptions exist regarding the utility of innovation packages. Men and women equally see them as useful (quinoa production and processing is carried out by both women and men, and usually both are involved). With regard to the economic profitability of innovation, 62% of the farmers interviewed say quinoa is "good business" because good prices can be obtained on the market and the innovation package helps make this activity more efficient. Demand for quinoa in national and particularly international markets continues to increase. Regarding the utility of the innovation in nutrition, 86% of the farmers regard quinoa as "important" or "very important" in their families' diet. However, perception of benefits from quinoa production is less prominent among farmers who produce quinoa only for home consumption and are distant from buyers.

Individual absorptive capabilities appear to be an important factor explaining innovation. Many indicators related to this factor are significantly correlated to the level of use of the innovation packages, including the extent of farmers' comprehension of the technological package, their ability to communicate with other agents about technological matters, their tendency to experiment with technology, their level of education, and their endowment of resources.

With regard to collective absorptive capabilities, it was found that farmers interacting more intensively with research institutions, extension agencies and local governments do not show higher levels of adoption; interaction with those institutions is not productive in terms of innovation. Interaction with NGOs and specific project agents does significantly determine levels of adoption. However, farmers only profit from technical assistance when this comes through concentrated interaction, that is, many meetings, demonstrations and opportunity for feedback and discussion.

In general, farmers with more intensive interactions with technology providers and those who are better connected to networks of families, neighbors, farmer organizations and community leaders, as well as to buyers in the quinoa market, show superior levels of innovation use. A possible interpretation is that interactions with the project and technology transfer agents enable the farmers to learn about new knowledge and technologies; the networks of families, neighbors, farmer organizations and community leaders provide feedback to farmers on the usefulness of the innovation; and interactions with buyers provide information about markets and requirements in terms of quality and products, and at times about newer knowledge and technologies. In traditional communities local authorities play an important role approving the application of innovations and interacting with outside agents. Local authorities also act as informants and brokers of innovation options. In conclusion, collective absorption capability is important to enable farmers to innovate; however, the current structure of linkages and interactions in the quinoa producing regions analyzed are deficient.

Certain conclusions can be drawn from the study about what can be done to involve small-scale farmers more intimately in innovation and development of the quinoa sector. (1) Ensure that innovation packages are adapted to the individual absorptive capabilities of the producers. Many packages have been promoted without sufficiently testing their effectiveness. (2) Enhance the individual absorptive capabilities of the producers by providing better access to financing and credit and by conducting intensive interactive training and awareness-building exercises. (3) Promote and intensify interaction with technology transfer and extension agents so that it enhances assimilation capacities in groups. Such groups need to include wider networks of families, neighboring producers, farmers' organizations and local authorities. (4) Promote and intensify interaction with buyers and input providers (seeds, fertilizers, machinery), for joint learning about aspects of improved production, processing, quality and market requirements.