This paper discusses the recent changes in cultivation of maize in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province. The authors present data to show the increases in area cultivated and in productivity of maize production in the region. Furthermore, they discuss how the pattern of maize varieties used in this province has changed in the last 15 years, namely from a wide use of local/white varieties (up to 40 per cent use in 1995), towards an increased use of open-pollinated superior varieties and hybrid maize varieties in the late 2000s. The paper then discusses the adoption of new technologies by farmers in the region and the reasons for such adoption, including the strong support and encouragement of the government and the use of a variety of dissemination tools including the use of media, direct communication, demonstrations and case studies. According to the authors, understanding of the local culture and politics, as well as farmer's needs in each particular region, are considered important for the success of adoption of new technologies.