Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) -Based Assessmentof User Acceptance for a Smart Crop Management System

Abstract

A smart system that can monitor critical growth parameters and control irrigation and fertilizer applications for tomato production was developed to answer the need for a better and data-driven farm management. The technology was then introduced to tomato farmers in one of the project sites. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to assess the receptiveness of the farmers to the developed technology focusing on two (2) key predictors: perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). A questionnaire based on TAM principles was formulated for a self-administered survey to assess participants’ perceptions and opinions about the developed technology. The reliability of the questionnaire was validated using Cronbach’s alpha with a value of 0.93 and 0.96 for PU and PEU, respectively. The PU and PEU scores were found to be 94.83% and 88.41%, respectively. The PU score classified the developed technology as very useful while the PEU score categorized it as very easy to use. A Pearson correlation test was also conducted to investigate if there is a linear relationship between PU and PEU. Results showed that there is a statistically significant positive linear relationship between the two predictors. Several issues were pointed out during the conduct of the technology demonstration that might affect the perception of the farmer group towards the developed technology. Nonetheless, it was concluded that the farmers are indeed receptive and interested with the technology, and their appreciation of the benefits it entails to their livelihood is evident.