Abstract
Relatively little agricultural technology as applied in the developed countries is suitable for direct transfer to the developing countries, even if modified by means of adaptive research. The creation of appropriate technology suited to the local conditions of the developing countries in the tropics is therefore crucial.
A comprehensive plan for technological development should be worked out. It should be emphasized, however, that the term "comprehensive" precludes development schemes which have become complicated by the mere indiscriminate incorporation into the plan of various technical, economic, social and cultural elements, even though these components are indispensable. It is highly important therefore to improve each element in an orderly way, to keep the various factors involved in harmony and to promote gradual development by alloting tnough time, even years, for the completion of each stage.
In the long run, for the development of agricultural technology in the tropics, elaborate research programs undertaken by national and international agencies should be closely linked so as to obtain and accumulate relevant data.
In addition, efforts should be made to further promote research and investigation aimed at the exploitation of such biological resources in the tropics such as sago palm, quinoa and winged bean which are presently unused or underused.
