Agricultural technology is unavoidable, directional, combinatory, disruptive, unpredictable and has unintended consequences.

Science historian James Burke, scientist turned writer Isaac Asimov and polymath Stuart Kauffman have all argued, from different angles, that technology is unavoidable, directional, combinatory, disruptive and unpredictable. They also highlight the unintended consequences of technology seeking to fix a problem and creating new problems and opportunities. Here I draw on their vision to outline these features of technology with a focus on sustainable agriculture and highlight their implications for investment in research and development, and connecting public policy and technological change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]