Abstract
The basic question of our research is what crop-producing farmers know about PF (precision farming), and how economic value and social factors motivate the acceptance and implementation of PF. We conducted a cross-sectional survey, using standardized questionnaires, in 2018, that was nationally representative of Hungarian crop producers. Besides this, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews about the meaning of PF, with the farmers who use PF in practice. They defined it as a tool of strategic planning, to serve input savings, using state-of-the-art technologies. Based on the questionnaire, we found that the farmers currently applying PF do not seem to have such a significant impact on the agricultural society that would make others want to move to precision technology, following their example. As a result of the factor analysis, we could differentiate direct and indirect factors. Potential human resources are undereducated, their willingness to improve their knowledge is low, and the level of cooperation ability is low, making it excessively difficult, or even impossible, to acquire the equipment necessary for a technology switch and to purchase the necessary services. It can be concluded that age, production, and technical usefulness carries greater weight over things like monetary factors, productivity of cultivated land, knowledge capital, and willingness of Hungarian farmers to cooperate.
Highlights
Introduction and Literature ReviewNumerous definitions exist for precision farming (PF), all of which emphasize the pursuit of economic, environmental, and social sustainability [1,2,3,4,5].1.1
According to the former Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), PF is a form of crop management that provides information for decision-making, using computerized GPS and remote-sensing systems
Information is primarily provided through official intermediaries related to a professional organization; primarily, training courses (90.4%), inter-branch organizations (87.3%), specialist consultants (75.7%), raw material or machine dealers (71.4%), and professional demonstrations have an important role to play in providing information on special application of PF
Summary
Introduction and Literature ReviewNumerous definitions exist for precision farming (PF), all of which emphasize the pursuit of economic, environmental, and social sustainability [1,2,3,4,5].1.1. Agronomy 2020, 10, 610 it with other information to support management decisions according to estimated variability for improved resource use efficiency, productivity, quality, profitability and sustainability of agricultural production”. According to the former Home-Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), PF is a form of crop management that provides information for decision-making, using computerized GPS and remote-sensing systems. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines this activity as “just-in-time” management, which is an information- and technology-based, site-specific activity, and it is —partly or entirely—based on optimizing the following data, in order to procure maximum income and to achieve environmental sustainability, i.e., soil quality, plant species/variety, yield, nutrient management, and plant protection [6]. Technical content is a significant part of applying PF, but it is mainly based on human knowledge and willingness
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