Current Agricultural development policy must simultaneously improve smallholder productivity and address long-term environmental concerns. Much of the recent interest in sustainable agriculture focuses on technologies that feature low external input strategies. These rely on local resources, particularly knowledge and labour; encourage adapting solutions to individual farm conditions; and promote a vision of farm stewardship. This type of technical change draws upon, and seeks to strengthen, farm communities' human capital (skills, knowledge) and social capital (communication, organisation, participation). Despite broad interest in these strategies, there are few empirical studies that assess the progress and outcomes of this type of initiative. The proposed research will examine three instances of the successful introduction of low external input agriculture: the adoption of integrated pest management in rice in Sri Lanka, the development of soil conservation techniques in Honduras, and the catchment approach to soil and water conservation in Kenya. The research focuses on examining differential response to, and subsequent development of, introduced low external input technologies. The research will focus on two sets of questions. The first set involves a retrospective understanding of how differences in farmers' human and social capital assets affect their capacities to utilise low external input agriculture. A second set of questions is prospective in nature and is made possible by the focus on projects whose major activities are now complete. The study will seek evidence on the degree to which the initiatives have contributed to strengthening farmer assets, allowing further adaptation and change beyond the initial project. The objective of the research is to provide a policy-relevant analysis of the prospects and challenges for knowledge- and management-intensive technological change for smallholder agriculture. To examine the introduction of pest management in rice in Sri Lanka, development of soil conservation techniques in Honduras and the catchment approach to soil and water conservation in Kenya. The research will focus on examining differential response to, and subsequent development of, sustainable agriculture. An analysis of the factors determining differential uptake of three types of low external input agriculture and the identification of policies, strategies and conditions conducive to strengthening human and social capital in support of appropriate technology development and adoption.