Small-holdings in sub-Saharan Africa are prone to low crop yields. Problems contributing to low yield are mainly related to poor soil fertility and weed infestations compounded by inappropriate application of recommended technologies. Researcher-managed trials were done to determine fit for technologies to prevailing socio-economic conditions. The research was done as a two-year field study conducted in western Kenya and the main aims of the research were to; (i) determine technology-specific resource requirements and performance, (ii) to match technology attributes with farm-type characteristics, and (iii) to establish a fit-matrix for technology and farm type. Tests were done on seven technologies as treatments for soil fertility and weed suppression and compared to farmers’ practice at sites with different qualities of resources over two cropping seasons. Performance attributes were correlated with percentages that determined matches of technology-specific resource requirements and the availability of farm-specific resources. Technologies differed in resource requirements and performance attributes mainly as functions of soil type and cropping season. Results showed that the best performing technologies were zero-tillage combined with cover crops on ultisol and mineral fertilizer on alfisol during the long rainy season. The correlation of technology performance and resource-matching produced four scenarios: (1) high performance, good fit (representing the most desirable scenario –green manure - used in subsistence farms on alfisol during the long rainy season); (2) high performance, poor fit (mineral fertilizer based options in small subsistence farms); (3) low performance, good fit (zero-tillage with cover crops in commercial farms on alfisol) and (4) low performance, poor fit (the most undesirable scenario – manual weeding - in commercial farms). This approach facilitated site and system-specific targeting of the various technology options to improve agricultural productivity in the region.