Searching for family farming in Argentina: chroniclesof a technological innovation between two worlds

This paper proposes a contribution to the analysis of the processes thataccompany the increasing fragmentation of agricultural worlds between contrastingmodels of development. To this end, we examine an area that has until now attractedlittle attention in this respect, that of the scientific and technological actors involved; wealso look at original mechanisms which aim to create intersections between models ofdevelopment. The paper is based on research carried out in Argentina, a country wherethere are two major contrasting models of development, embodied by the notions ofagribusiness and family farming. We analyse the trajectory of a technological innova-tion in the field of machinery, based on the determination of agronomists and manu-facturers to adapt agribusiness technologies to the needs of small family farmers. Westudy the attempts at problematisation andinteressementthat they make in relation tothis public and its accompanying scientific and technical actors. These dynamics revealcontrasting approaches to innovation, technology and agricultural development. Theyalso demonstrate the profound misunderstanding that exists between these two hetero-geneous worlds.