Use of biologic inputs among cereal farmers: application of technology acceptance model

Abstract

This study sought to determine whether the technology acceptance model (TAM) could adequately explain the adoption and use of biological inputs (BI). A sample of 150 cereal farmers from Bilehsavar County of Ardabil Province, Iran, participated in this study for data collection. Two key components of TAM, i.e., perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU), along with attitudes, intentions and usage behavior, were measured using five-point Likert-type scales and modeled using structural equation modeling (SEM). Generally, scores on all scales indicated that behavioral intention was not well known and used by farmers. Intention to use and usage behavior indicated the lowest mean scores, implying that few farmers intended to use or were using BI. PEOU showed the lowest mean score suggesting respondents perceived that BI was not easy to use. Attitude and PU scores indicated that most of the respondents had fairly negative to neutral attitudes and perceptions toward the usefulness of BI. Attitudes and intentions accounted for 52% of the variance in farmers’ behavior. Attitude and PU, in turn, accounted for 56% of variability in intentions. PU and PEOU also accounted for 64% of the variability in attitudes. Based on these findings, an extension education program to facilitate the application of BI will improve PEOU and promote farmers’ PU and intentions. Visits to demonstration farms and discussion sessions are useful to improve farmers’ attitudes and thereby to promote their intention to adopt useful technologies. Removing agrochemicals’ subsidies, providing farmers with incentives for reducing agrochemicals and increasing BI use are essential to encourage farmers in the adoption and application of BI.