Smart farming for future: a structural relation analysis of attitude, facilitating condition, economic benefit and government support

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research explores the antecedents of smart farming use or adoption intention, along with the structural relationship between antecedents of attitude and the effect of government support on facilitating conditions and economic benefits. This study proposes a conceptual framework incorporating established technology adoption models and agriculture-support ecosystem-specific variables like government support. Researchers have used 597 full-time Indian farmers’ responses for the study. The proposed model is exploratory, hence empirically examined through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study outcomes revealed a significant positive influence of attitude, facilitating conditions, and government support on adoption or use intention. In contrast, the economic benefit does not support the adoption or use intention or attitude. Perceived economic benefit can be considered by policymakers, trainers, and agriculture support system agents. The government should address the dissemination of information and emphasise trust-building mechanisms to ensure the economic benefit of large-scale smart farming adoption in emerging economies.