Science, Technology, and the Politics of Knowledge: The Case of China’s Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers in Africa

• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2016.01.003
• Publication Date: 2016-01-28T11:23:56Z
• Authors: Xiuli Xu; Xiaoyun Li; Gubo Qi; Lixia Tang; Langton Mukwereza
• Keywords: knowledge; encounter; China; Economics and Econometrics; Sociology and Political Science; Geography, Planning and Development; 05 social sciences; 1. No poverty; Development; aid; technology; Africa; 0502 economics and business; 11. Sustainability

Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centre (ATDC) has been considered as an alternative model to pursue sustainability of Chinese foreign aid African countries in the new era. This paper attempts examine ATDC scheme, particularly focus on knowledge construction at macro level design and encounter micro daily operation based case studies Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Our study finds multiple facets ATDC, i.e., cleavage between macro-level policy implementation realities; interplay politics, appearance possible development pathways stimulated by ATDCs countries. The argues that even though is a technology-centered it inevitably social political process implementation, resulting discontinuity results. With whole set ideas imaginaries being delivered, frustrated, negotiated, creates very different vision established CG system, or western bilateral programs. As embodiment "traveling technocratic rationality", are important sites for negotiations over meanings aid, investment, development, part wider playing out China's engagement Africa.