Tenurial obstacles to innovation

Why do tenants fail to introduce new more profitable agricultural practices? After discussing various explanations of resistance to innovation the paper argues that as an economic explanation Bhaduri's theory 1973] is implausible. An alternative economic theory is developed. If the innovation increases the tenant's range of choice over inputs then it may prove impossible for the landlord to devise a mutually acceptable and enforceable contract which appropriates the benefits of the innovation, so that he will resist its introduction.