Introduction: is it possible to create pro-poor agriculture-related biotechnology?

Biotechnology represents hope for those who believe that new technology can contribute to overcoming a range of pressing productivity and environmental constraints facing poor farmers. Pouring money into the science and technology however without recognizing institutional and systemic complexities associated with creating 'pro-poor' technologies is unlikely to deliver much for those farmers. Moreover, there are a range of economic and political contextual factors which further complicate efforts to put the technology to use for poorer farmers. This article outlines some of the issues and possible new approaches which are discussed in more detail in later articles in this special issue. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.