Abstract
In the context of tropical agriculture, the low uptake of new varieties proposed by agricultural research pushes forward the need to implement decentralized participatory breeding (DPB) programs. However, the performance of these programs remains poorly documented. We pose the hypothesis that this is linked to the generation of different resources when activating collective innovation abilities. This test is methodologically informed by a survey in the framework of a DPB program on upland rice in the Central Highlands of Madagascar, in the Vakinakaratra region. The results reveal changes in production systems linked to participation in the DPB program (use of other types of fertilization, application of squared sowing techniques to make weeding easier) and the reuse of newly tested varieties. The results also confirm the strengthening of social interactions through the creation of a farmers' organization. Finally, they characterize the main innovation capabilities, which have been strengthened – in particular those that lead one to understand the complexity of systems and that teach us how to act collectively.