Agricultural Technology Adoption Research Articles

Identification of returns to new technologies under distinctive econometric approaches

ABSTRACT This article uses distinctive econometric models to investigate returns to new technologies and whether adoption decisions can be explained by comparative advantage. I consider three models: static and dynamic panel models of homogeneous returns to fertilizer, as well as the correlated random coefficient model of heterogeneous returns. I discuss both the benefits of using each of the models and their interpretations. I then use data from cocoa farming in Ghana to identify the returns to fertilizer by means of these three models. The estimated average returns in different models are positive, high and strongly significant statistically. I also find evidence of heterogeneous returns to new technology based on comparative advantage. My overall results suggest that adoption of new agricultural technologies may not necessarily benefit all farmers, and the adoption decision may be crop-specific, context-specific or technology-specific.

Impact of Youth Migration on the Agricultural Sector in Nepal

The paper examines the impact of youth migration on the agricultural sector in Nepal. Nowadays, youth are involved in both internal and international migration to seek better income opportunities and secure living conditions. The increasing trend of youth migration is significantly affecting the agricultural sector by transforming knowledge and skills through the adoption of agricultural technology, the selection of profitable crops, increasing productivity, increasing food security, and exporting crops. The paper follows descriptive research method and based on secondary data sources like scholarly articles, journals, and authentic reports to analyze qualitative and quantitative information. It concludes that youth migration is a significant issue, despite potential negative impacts in developing countries like Nepal. Migration boosts household income through remittances but can lead to labor shortages, land loss, and decreased productivity. Negative effects include increased reliance on remittance earnings and a deteriorating working attitude.   

Bangladesh's Climate Vulnerability and Overseas Migration: Navigating Challenges and Paving the Way Forward

Bangladesh ranks seventh on the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, which identifies the nations most susceptible to natural catastrophes, demonstrating how sensitive the country is to both climate change and natural disasters. Millions of people are forced to migrate to neighboring cities and urban areas in search of work and a living each year as a result of climate change and natural disasters such as river bank erosion, salinity intrusion, floods, cyclones, and landslides in Bhola, Khulna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, and Gaibandha. Urban life is strained by this influx, especially in terms of housing, water supply, and sanitation. Many of these individuals also seek overseas employment as a means of survival. While numerous organizations, including government institutions, are working to promote safe and regular international migration and overseas employment, a portion of these individuals fall prey to labor trafficking due to a lack of information, monitoring, and services from the administration. Additionally, communities in climate-risk areas are ultimately forced to choose between internal and international migration due to the sluggish adoption of climate-resilient agricultural methods and technologies, as well as the dearth of technical and vocational education options. For these regions of significant natural disasters and climate change, the government has to provide more secure migration policies and encourage productive remittance investment.

Impact of production outsourcing on the adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies in China

Impact of production outsourcing on the adoption of low-carbon agricultural technologies in China

Agricultural Extension for Adopting Technological Practices in Developing Countries: A Scoping Review of Barriers and Dimensions

This scoping review employed the PRISMA-ScR framework to dissect the complexities of technological extension in agriculture within developing nations, where varying socio-economic, cultural, and environmental facets deeply influence extension strategies. Our study aimed to identify and expand upon the existing knowledge of critical factors—both challenges and opportunities—that affect the efficacy of agricultural extension, with a focus on contextual variations. To achieve this, we conducted a comprehensive review of the relevant academic contributions from 2013 onwards. This included articles, reviews, conference proceedings, book chapters, and data papers. Our analysis focused on scrutinizing the interaction dynamics between extension personnel and farmers, the adaptation of technologies to local contexts, and the significance of cross-sector collaboration. Through bibliometric analysis, we provide a synthesis of 32 pertinent records. Our findings advocate for a paradigm shift from the traditional linear knowledge transfer to a more encompassing approach that values bidirectional communication, cultural awareness, and the active involvement of local farming communities. We argue for extension practices that are attuned to environmental dynamics, promote long-term economic sustainability, and are informed by theoretical perspectives that can refine the design of extension systems and models. Our review posits that the enhancement of sustainable agricultural technology adoption lies in a profound reform of extension systems. Such reform should focus on design and operational models that are more inclusive, adaptive, and acutely attuned to the complex realities of farmers in emerging economies. This integrative, systemic, and holistic approach proposes a framework to bolster agricultural sustainability and rural development.

Maximizing Agricultural Performance in Developing Countries: Implementing Efficient Cultivation Strategies for Short-Term Harvests to Boost Production Rates and Accelerate Supply Chain Efficiency

Improving agricultural productivity in developing countries is crucial for food security and economic prosperity. This research investigates the application of effective agricultural systems focused at short-term harvests in order to increase production rates and optimize supply chain efficiency. This study's focus on innovative farming techniques, technology adoption, and supply chain management improvements desires to assist policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and stakeholders with practical knowledge. This study focuses on multiple cultivation using the ground and the spaces accessible above it; therefore, the cost will remain constant or as low as possible. Cultivators will use minimal effort to bring out maximum harvest where they will use less labour as the ground is the same. This study will discuss on efficient cultivation strategies, Short term harvests and production rates, Optimizing supply chain efficiency, Innovative farming techniques and technology adoption, Supply chain management improvements and actionable insights for sustainable agricultural development. Through an emphasis on innovative farming methodologies, technological integration, and enhancements in supply chain management, this study endeavours to furnish actionable insights crucial for policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and stakeholders invested in the agricultural sector. The study emphasizes the vital role of customized changes in agricultural methods in addressing hurdles and maximizing on potential for sustainable agricultural growth. (Kouvelis et al., 2006) According to the findings of this study, the majority of cultivators work on the ground surface. They are spending money on fertilizer, water, and insecticides. One farmer can grow cauliflower, which will occupy the ground's surface. Malabar spinach will occupy the air area starting two feet above the ground. Again, a loft can be built five to six feet above ground to grow several sorts of beans. Other short-term crops such as chilies, spinach, lettuce, and radish can be grown in the gaps between the cultivation bays. In sum, all four layers of crops will need the same quantity of fertilizer, insecticides, and water. Thus, the cost will be almost the same, but the outcome will be four times higher.

Emerging Technologies for Automation in Environmental Sensing: Review

This article explores the impact of automation on environmental sensing, focusing on advanced technologies that revolutionize data collection analysis and monitoring. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) defines automation as integrating hardware and software components into modern analytical systems. Advancements in electronics, computer science, and robotics drive the evolution of automated sensing systems, overcoming traditional limitations in manual data collection. Environmental sensor networks (ESNs) address challenges in weather constraints and cost considerations, providing high-quality time-series data, although issues in interoperability, calibration, communication, and longevity persist. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), play an important role in environmental monitoring due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness. Despite challenges in regulatory compliance and technical limitations, UAVs offer detailed spatial and temporal information. Pollution monitoring faces challenges related to high costs and maintenance requirements, prompting the exploration of cost-efficient alternatives. Smart agriculture encounters hurdle in data integration, interoperability, device durability in adverse weather conditions, and cybersecurity threats, necessitating privacy-preserving techniques and federated learning approaches. Financial barriers, including hardware costs and ongoing maintenance, impede the widespread adoption of smart technology in agriculture. Integrating robotics, notably underwater vehicles, proves indispensable in various environmental monitoring applications, providing accurate data in challenging conditions. This review details the significant role of transfer learning and edge computing, which are integral components of robotics and wireless monitoring frameworks. These advancements aid in overcoming challenges in environmental sensing, underscoring the ongoing necessity for research and innovation to enhance monitoring solutions. Some state-of-the-art frameworks and datasets are analyzed to provide a comprehensive review on the basic steps involved in the automation of environmental sensing applications.

The Moderating Effect of Income on the Predictors of Cassava Farmers’ Adoption of Agricultural Technology in Nigeria: A Conceptual Framework

This study endeavors to construct a comprehensive conceptual framework elucidating the moderating influence of income on factors influencing the adoption of agricultural technology among cassava farmers in Nigeria. Agricultural technology, herein, refers to the innovative utilization of emerging Information and Communication Technologies tailored for agricultural applications within remote environments. The agricultural sector holds paramount significance within the Nigerian economy, engaging nearly 70% of the labor force and contributing over 40% to the gross domestic product. The adoption of technology in agriculture signifies potential enhancements in income, poverty alleviation, improved national nutrition and health, reduced food prices, and employment opportunities. However, the income of cassava farmers plays a pivotal role in ensuring their sustainability. Regrettably, their income streams are often unstable due to fluctuations in market prices, adversely impacting their ability to finance the adoption of technology to bolster productivity. Therefore, this research aims to develop a robust conceptual framework delineating the moderating role of income on the determinants of agricultural technology adoption behavior, particularly pertinent within the Nigerian context. It is imperative to tailor conceptual frameworks specifically for Nigeria, given that frameworks derived from other regions may not be directly applicable to the unique challenges and dynamics of the Nigerian agricultural landscape.

Exploring the Spatiotemporal Alterations in China’s GPP Based on the DTEC Model

Gross primary productivity (GPP) is a reliable measure of the carbon sink potential of terrestrial ecosystems and is an essential element of terrestrial carbon cycle research. This study employs the diffuse fraction-based two-leaf light-use efficiency (DTEC) model to imitate China’s monthly GPP from 2001 to 2020. We studied the trend of GPP, investigated its relationship with climatic factors, and separated the contributions of climate change and human activities. The findings showed that the DTEC model was widely applicable in China. During the study period, China’s average GPP increased significantly, by 9.77 g C m−2 yr−1 (p < 0.001). The detrimental effect of aerosol optical depth (AOD) on GPP was more widespread than that of total precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation. Areas that benefited from AOD, such as Northwest China, experienced significant increases in GPP. Climate change and human activities had a primary and positive influence on GPP during the study period, accounting for 28% and 72% of the increase, respectively. Human activities, particularly ecological restoration projects and the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, played a significant role in China’s GPP growth. China’s afforestation plan was particularly notable, with the GPP increasing in afforestation areas at a rate greater than 10 g C m−2 yr−1. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the long-term management of China’s terrestrial ecosystems and helps develop adaptive ecological restoration tactics.

The influence of gender specific decisions on household technology choice within the farming households in central Uganda

How households make decisions, who influences decision making and how members bargain over resources and opportunities greatly affects the livelihood and wellbeing of members within a given household. This study sought to understand gender specific decisions and their influence on household technology choice, packaging and adoption of agricultural technologies. Growing Bananas with Trees and Livestock (GBTL) technology system was implemented by National Agricultural Research Organisation and Bioversity International in three districts of Central Uganda: Kiboga, Nakaseke and Ssembabule. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), typologies were created in which two distinct clusters of farming households were revealed. Using a bargaining model of technology adoption, three types of households were identified; male and female only, female only and male only headed households. For technology uptake, either a single component, two components or all components of a technology was adopted. Results indicated that Household size, age, land owned, labour and gender composition of the household positively influenced the adoption of the technology. Farm households were able to take up and adopt components of the technology that were equivalent to the available household resources. Technology choice and adoption was influenced by available land, labor and household objectives (food, income and nutrition security). Households' ability to avert the loss of production and/or assets was very varied and depended on household size. For non-business home expenses, decisions followed a gendered perspective where households with both male and female, had more participants involved in household decision making, households make decision jointly when it comes to purchases and sales. Banana plantations establishment and management was for the spouse. Livestock production was initiated and managed by the household heads. Individual decisions were influenced by age of the household head, livestock owner. Joint household’s decision making was significant on purchases, sales of inputs and outputs, land ownership, and were influenced by household size and farm size. This study brings out important policy implications that in order to ensure widespread adoption of improved technologies, there should be equitable access to complementary inputs, especially land and labour for females. And technology packaging should take into consideration the gender specific decisions for sustainable agricultural development. Key words: Decision making, Technology choice, adoption, Coffee banana farming system, Gender

A Comprehensive Review on Future of Smart Farming and Its Role in Shaping Food Production

The advent of smart farming represents a pivotal shift in agricultural practices, integrating advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and gene editing to enhance food production efficiency, sustainability, and global food security. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted dimensions of smart farming, including its implementation across diverse global contexts, the profound impacts on food production, the challenges and concerns associated with its adoption, and the prospective future directions shaped by emerging technologies and innovations. By analyzing case studies and current research, the review highlights how precision agriculture, IoT sensors, and data analytics have significantly increased crop yields and resource use efficiency, underscoring the role of smart farming in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and reducing environmental footprints. However, the adoption of smart farming technologies is not without challenges, including technical limitations, data privacy and security concerns, socio-economic and ethical considerations, such as job displacement and animal welfare. The review also discusses the crucial role of government policy, international collaboration, and education in facilitating the adoption of smart farming technologies and addressing these challenges. As the agricultural sector stands on the brink of a technological revolution, this review emphasizes the need for continuous innovation, robust support frameworks, and inclusive strategies to ensure that the benefits of smart farming are realized equitably  across the global agricultural landscape, paving the way for a more sustainable and secure food future.

Private Input Suppliers as Information Agents for Technology Adoption in Agriculture

Information frictions limit the adoption of new agricultural technologies in developing countries. Efforts to improve learning involve spreading information from government agents to farmers. We show that when compared to this government approach, informing private input suppliers in India about a new seed variety increases farmer-level adoption by over 50 percent. Suppliers become more proactive in informing potential customers and carrying the new variety. They induce increased adoption by those with higher returns from the technology. Being motivated by expanded sales offers the most likely motive for these results. (JEL D83, L14, L33, O13, O32, Q12, Q16)

A multi-methods, multi-actor exploration of the benefits and barriers to milk recording on Irish farms using the COM-B model

Milk recording is a critical tool in dairy farming, providing individual cow information. When used effectively, this data contributes to on-farm productivity, herd health management decisions and supports prudent veterinary prescribing of antimicrobials. Although an industry and government priority, uptake has been relatively slow in Ireland. This multi-methods, three-part study aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits to farm performance, and factors driving uptake of milk recording on Irish dairy farms. It involved an economic analysis of N=516 farms from 2008–2019, a workshop with N=26 stakeholders and an online survey of N=197 non-milk-recording farmers. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using econometric models and thematic analysis respectively. Results were synthesised using the COM-B model to gain a deeper understanding of what drives the target behaviour. The study revealed that agricultural education, farm location, farm specialisation in dairy and membership of a farmer discussion group were the main factors influencing uptake of milk recording. Milk recording was associated with a €39.04/cow increase in gross margin, a 177.58 litres/cow increase in milk yield and a reduction of 13,450 cells/ml in bulk milk tank somatic cell count readings. Infrastructural constraints, cost, lack of benefits and workload were the most reported perceived barriers to milk recording by farmers. The Behaviour Change Wheel illustrates how to utilise findings and systematically develop future interventions to increase milk recording uptake. This study highlights the importance of a multi-methods approach to agricultural technology adoption and the need for evidence-based methodology when developing behaviour change interventions.

Optimizing bandwidth utilization and traffic control in ISP networks for enhanced smart agriculture.

As the demand for high-bandwidth Internet connections continues to surge, industries are exploring innovative ways to harness this connectivity, and smart agriculture stands at the forefront of this evolution. In this paper, we delve into the challenges faced by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in efficiently managing bandwidth and traffic within their networks. We propose a synergy between two pivotal technologies, Multi-Protocol Label Switching-Traffic Engineering (MPLS-TE) and Diffserv Quality of Service (Diffserv-QoS), which have implications beyond traditional networks and resonate strongly with the realm of smart agriculture. The increasing adoption of technology in agriculture relies heavily on real-time data, remote monitoring, and automated processes. This dynamic nature requires robust and reliable high-bandwidth connections to facilitate data flow between sensors, devices, and central management systems. By optimizing bandwidth utilization through MPLS-TE and implementing traffic control mechanisms with Diffserv-QoS, ISPs can create a resilient network foundation for smart agriculture applications. The integration of MPLS-TE and Diffserv-QoS has resulted in significant enhancements in throughput and a considerable reduction in Jitter. Employment of the IPv4 header has demonstrated impressive outcomes, achieving a throughput of 5.83 Mbps and reducing Jitter to 3 msec.

Integration of Technology in Agricultural Practices towards Agricultural Sustainability: A Case Study of Greece

Agricultural technology integration has become a key strategy for attaining agricultural sustainability. This study examined the integration of technology in agricultural practices towards agricultural sustainability, using Greece as a case study. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 240 farmers and agriculturalists in Greece. The results showed a significant positive effect of technology integration on agricultural sustainability, with p-values indicating strong statistical relevance (types of technology used: p = 0.003; factors influencing technology adoption: p = 0.001; benefits of technology integration: p = 0.021). These results highlight the significant effects that cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and precision agriculture have on improving resource efficiency, lowering environmental effects, and raising agricultural yields. Our findings cast doubt on the conventional dependence on intensive, resource-depleting farming techniques and point to a move toward more technologically advanced, sustainable approaches. This research advances the conversation on sustainable agricultural practices by showcasing how well technology integration may improve sustainability results in Greek agriculture. The study emphasizes the significance of infrastructure investment, supporting legislation, and farmer education in order to facilitate the adoption of agricultural technology.

Rice farmers’ adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies and its effects on yield and income: empirical insights from Ghana

Rice farmers’ adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies and its effects on yield and income: empirical insights from Ghana

Promoting the Transition towards Agriculture 4.0: A Systematic Literature Review on Drivers and Barriers

In the modern era, the imperative of digitalisation to enhance competitiveness spans various sectors, with agriculture being no exception. Agriculture 4.0, strategically positioned to address challenges like climate change, food security, and resource preservation, holds the potential to increase productivity, profitability, and sustainability in agriculture. Despite the global accessibility to digital technologies, their adoption within the agriculture sector, especially among small and medium-sized farms, encounters obstacles. Realising the full potential of Agriculture 4.0 requires understanding the factors influencing technology adoption. To address this, the study conducts a systematic literature review using the PRISMA method, focusing on identifying the primary drivers and barriers associated with the implementation of Agriculture 4.0 technologies. The study is complemented by a network analysis of the identified drivers and barriers. A total of 42 articles from 2011 to 2023, sourced from the Scopus database, are examined. Individual and farm-related factors play a crucial role in driving the adoption of smart farming technologies, along with social trust and influence. Economic constraints and lack of infrastructure, such as internet access, emerge as significant barriers. The identified drivers and barriers can inform the development of strategies to promote the transition to Agriculture 4.0. Farmers stand to benefit from insights into potential advantages, required skills, and challenges, aiding informed decision-making in the adoption of Agriculture 4.0 technologies.

Understanding dis-adoption of technologies by smallholder dairy farmers in Indonesia

Abstract Farmer cooperatives represent a vertical coordination strategy aimed at reducing transaction costs and facilitating the adoption of technologies among farmers. In their roles, cooperatives undertake internal coordination of activities which may include enforcement measures, provision of quality inputs, internal control, and negotiation of favourable terms of exchange with buyers. However, limited attention has been given to understanding how cooperatives’ performance in the internal coordination of activities either promotes or hinders the continued adoption of agricultural technologies among cooperative members. We conducted a case study of the dairy sector in West Java, Indonesia, and utilised a mixed-method approach combining insight from dairy cooperative board members and dairy farming households. Our results suggest that the dis-adoption of dairy technologies is rooted in weak or non-existent monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure input and output quality, the absence of price incentives, and inadequate provision of extension services. Furthermore, the lack of tight monitoring and control mechanisms reduces the cooperatives’ bargaining power with input providers and milk buyers. Unless these issues within the cooperatives are addressed, continued adoption of recommended dairy farming practices by smallholder farmers will not be sustained.

Rural household resilience to food insecurity in Majang Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Background Due to shocks and stressors brought on by both natural and man-made events, households that depend on subsistence agriculture frequently experience uncertainty about guaranteeing their food security. The modern strategy for achieving food security in the face of shocks depends on identifying the variables that affect resilience and working to increase rural households’ capacity to withstand shocks related to food insufficiency. The goal of this study was to evaluate how resilient households were to food insecurity and its determinants. Methods From primary and secondary sources, cross-sectional data of both quantitative and qualitative types were gathered. The data acquired through surveys from 320 households was analyzed using a multivariate analytical method that included principal component analysis (PCA) and OLS regression. To bolster the findings, data from focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) was substantially utilized. Results According to the findings of the analysis, 40% and 60% of households, respectively, become resilient and non-resilient. All but the stability parameter significantly impacted resilience. Resilience to food insecurity is significantly increased by an increase of 2.128, 1.697, 0.648, 0.363, and 0.158 units in the adoption of agricultural technology, asset ownership, access to essential services, and adaptive capacity, respectively. On the other hand, the stability dimension negatively impacts resilience, with each additional unit lowering households’ capacity for resilience by 0.155 units. Conclusions The study suggests that to reduce both short-term and long-term shocks and stresses of food insecurity and to increase the capacity for resilience, the government’s policies and programs and those of other development partners must focus on building the main components of resilience.

Does access to financial services improve nutritional intake among rural residents? Assessing potential action mechanism pathways

AbstractScholars' attention to the association between access to financial services (FS) and nutritional intake has been profound, looking at the worsening levels of malnutrition worldwide. This research adds to literature by assessing the association between access to FS and nutritional intake among rural dwellers in a developing nation, Ghana. We used the endogenous treatment Poisson regression model to address the problem regarding potential selection bias. The findings emanating from our analysis depict that the linkage between access to FS and nutritional intake is positive. After analyzing potential pathways in the linkage between access to FS and nutritional intake, our findings showed that the adoption of farm technologies and entrepreneurship could serve as essential pathways. Our findings indicate that providing incentives or policies to encourage the establishment of branches of financial institutions in rural areas should be prioritized by policymakers. Also, policies aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship and farm technology adoption should be prioritized. For instance, training programs to empower farmers to adopt new farm technologies and avenues to enrich farmers' entrepreneurship ideas should be considered by policymakers.