Numerous attempts have been made to conceptualize social entrepreneurship in terms of Schumpeterian entrepreneurship
theory and Sen’s capability approach. This paper aims to examine social entrepreneurship as a practical mechanism for
facilitating technology adoption within the agro-innovation system. A study of technology adoption among participants in
the Doi Tung Development Project (DTDP), a long-running social enterprise in northern Thailand, revealed significant
adoption of new technologies and accompanying welfare benefits for project participants since the project’s launch in
1988. The study also identified three modalities for institutional interventions by DTDP, categorized by their primary
functions in risk reduction, knowledge-provision and welfare-enhancement. The empirical findings help to affirm the
significance of institutional interventions financed under the social entrepreneurship model in delivering the positive longterm
welfare outcomes seen at DTDP. The study concludes that social entrepreneurship can serve as a viable and
sustainable practical mechanism for facilitating agro-innovation.