Agricultural Technology Adoption Research Articles

Predictors of Agricultural Technology Adoption Among the Cassava Farmers in the North- Central Nigeria

This research paper delves into the underexplored realm of agricultural technology adoption behaviour among cassava farmers in North Central Nigeria, with a focus on elucidating the predictors of technology adoption within the region. Leveraging a quantitative survey research design, data was collected from 377 cassava farmers through structured questionnaires. Findings reveal significant relationships between various factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, price value, hedonic motivation, prior experience, and the adoption of agricultural technology. Through multiple linear regression analyses, it was established that these factors exert substantial influences on technology adoption behaviour among cassava farmers. Based on empirical evidence, policy recommendations were formulated to enhance the adoption of agricultural technologies among cassava farmers, aiming to foster a transition from subsistence to commercial farming, thereby bolstering agricultural productivity and socio-economic development in the region. These recommendations encompass governmental support for improved cassava seedlings, duty-free importation of agricultural implements, procurement and distribution of tractors, expansion of extension services, fertilizer production facilities, subsidized procurement of agricultural machinery, and enhanced importation policies for agro-chemicals. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics underlying technology adoption in agricultural contexts, offering insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike.

Navigating Challenges and Prospects in Off-Season Vegetable Production

The demand for vegetables in India is substantial, driven by widespread vegetarian dietary preferences. However, the supply often falls short due to the inability to grow all types of vegetables throughout the year. This emphasizes the significance of off-season vegetable cultivation, offering a solution for year-round production, controlling price fluctuations during off-seasons, and ensuring accessibility for people across different economic classes. Off-season cultivation plays a pivotal role in addressing nutritional deficiencies and providing economic returns to farmers, especially during periods of market surplus and falling prices. Consequently, there has been a notable increase in off-season cultivation practices, where crops are grown outside the regular cropping calendar to counter supply shortages and capitalize on high market prices. Various methods are employed for cultivating off-season vegetables, including leveraging a country’s agro-climatic diversity, using different varieties, cultivating in diara lands/riverbeds, and employing protected cultivation. However, this review specifically focuses on diara/riverbed and protected cultivation of vegetables for their off-season production. While these practices have shown promise, ensuring consistent technical support, training, and a reliable supply of inputs like seeds and fertilizers, along with market information, is crucial for sustaining the adoption of agricultural technologies. Long-term success depends on accessible extension services, and the combined impact of various technologies contributes to improved off-season agricultural practices. This underscores the importance of farmer-centric policies in guiding enduring technology adoption. Factors such as education, experience in vegetable production, access to extension services, and training significantly influence farmers’ decisions regarding technology adoption.

Assessment of impacts of adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties in Ghana: accounting for differences in male and female farmers

New agricultural technologies, such as high yielding varieties and improved agronomic practices could significantly increase agricultural productivity leading to improved welfare of those who participate in them. Feedback effects on adoption of agricultural technologies in low-income countries are important in prioritization of funding to the agricultural sector. Through a multistage randomized sample of 526 farmers and employing propensity score matching technique to correct selection bias, the study assessed the effect of adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties on farmers’ yields and incomes comparing separate effects on men and women farmers. Results revealed that income and yield increased with adoption. Men benefited more than women due to access to extension, improved varieties and productive inputs. Nonetheless, men and women had significant increases in yield and income. Results also showed that land and credit play a role in adoption of technologies. Supporting research extension systems to promote and disseminate improved varieties is recommended.

Farmers’ adoption of multiple climate-smart agricultural technologies in Ghana: determinants and impacts on maize yields and net farm income

This study investigates the factors affecting maize farmers’ decisions to adopt climate-smart agricultural (CSA) technologies and estimates the impacts of CSA technology adoption on maize yields and net farm income. Unlike most previous studies that analyze a single technology, we consider different combinations of three CSA technologies (zero tillage, row planting, and drought-resistant seed). A multinomial endogenous switching regression model addresses selection bias issues arising from observed and unobserved factors and analyses data collected from 3197 smallholder farmers in three Ghana regions (Brong-Ahafo, Northern, and Ashanti). The findings show that smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt multiple CSA technologies are influenced by farmer-based organization membership, education, resource constraints such as lack of land, access to markets, and production shocks such as perceived pest and disease stress and drought. We also find that adopting all three CSA technologies together has the largest impact on maize yields, while adopting row planting and zero tillage as a combination has the largest impact on net farm income. Governments should collaborate with farmer-based groups and extension officers to improve farmers’ awareness and understanding of the benefits associated with CSA technologies and help them adopt multiple technologies that generate higher benefits.

A comprehensive examination of security and privacy in precision agriculture technologies

Precision agriculture has revolutionized modern farming practices by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as sensors, drones, and data analytics to optimize crop management. While these advancements offer unprecedented benefits in terms of yield optimization and resource efficiency, they also raise significant concerns regarding the security and privacy of sensitive agricultural data. This research paper delves into the intricate landscape of precision agriculture security and privacy, aiming to identify potential threats, vulnerabilities, and the corresponding measures necessary for safeguarding farmers' data and ensuring the sustainability of precision farming practices. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from computer science, agriculture, and privacy studies to provide a comprehensive overview. Through an analysis of existing security frameworks and privacy regulations, this paper proposes recommendations for the development and implementation of robust security protocols and privacy-enhancing technologies tailored to the unique challenges of precision agriculture. The findings of this research contribute to the ongoing dialogue on responsible technology adoption in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of striking a balance between innovation and the protection of farmers' sensitive information in the era of precision farming.

Integrating farmers’ perception of sustainable agricultural technologies towards the development of sustainable tea production in China

ABSTRACT Technologies are essential for reducing environmental impact and increasing agricultural productivity. Previous adoption studies indicate several socioeconomic, technological, and institutional variables influencing the adoption of agricultural technologies. With less than a decade to the United Nation's sustainable development agenda for 2030, there are yet reports on farmers' resistance to sustainable agricultural technologies. Using a survey and multistage sampling procedure in selecting the respondents of 405 smallholder Chinese farmers, the study models farmers' adoption intensity of sustainable agricultural technologies and their impact on productivity. A 5-point Likert scale was used to analyse farmers' SAT perception levels. The PSM was used to eliminate a major proportion of bias when estimating a more precise treatment effect or impact of SAT adoption on productivity. The findings showed that farmers have mixed perceptions (positive and negative) about SAT adoption, which is reflected in their adoption decisions. The study found that family members as extension officers positively impacted farmers' adoption behaviour. On the contrary, regular visits by agricultural extension services had no impact on farmers' adoption behaviour, but positive on productivity. The results clearly showed elements of constraints in farmers' decision-making. The ATT results showed a significant and positive impact of SATs' adoption on productivity.

Rural farmers access to extension services: Implications for increased adoption of improved farm technologies in Delta State, Nigeria

This study analyzed rural farmers access to extension services and its implications for increased adoption of improved farm technologies in Delta State, Nigeria. It examined the personal characteristics of the respondents of the study, the rate of farmers access to extension services, evaluates the impacts of farmers access to extension services on farm technology adoption and identified the strategies that could be adopted to improve extension service access to farmers. The respondents were randomly selected through multi-stage sampling technique and the data gathered were analyzed using descriptive and inferential techniques. Results revealed that most of the respondents were males (65.96%), married (67.38%), have secondary education (38.29%) have membership with cooperative societies (86.52%) and have access to credit provision (82.27%). The average age, household size, farming experience and farm size was 40.04 years, 7 persons, 10.78 years and 3.23 ha. respectively. The rate of access to extension services was high (45.39%) and that have positively impacted on the farmers in several ways. Several strategies were agreed that can improving the rate of access of farmers to extension services to include: improving on farmers educational level (mean = 4.31) and members of farmers social group (mean = 4.31). Personal characteristics like gender, age, level of education, household size, cooperative membership and farm income were found to significantly affect the rate of farmers access to extension services. The result also showed that farmers access to extension services have also impacted significantly to household welfare. Based on results, the study recommended that there is still need to privatize, if not all but some sensitive aspects of the extension service system that could help to better the farmers output, income and welfare.

Correction to: Farmers’ perceptions of climate change affect their adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes

Correction to: Farmers’ perceptions of climate change affect their adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies in the Brazilian Amazon and Atlantic Forest biomes

Organizational support, market access, and farmers' adoption of agricultural green production technology: evidence from the main kiwifruit production areas in Shaanxi Province.

Industrial organizations play a crucial role in transforming the production and management practices of smallholder farmers, encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly production methods. However, limited studies have conducted comprehensive research examining how these industrial organizations effectively encourage farmers to adopt green production technologies. To address this research gap, this study examines the influence of organizational support on the adoption of agricultural green production technologies among 645 kiwifruit farmers in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, using cross-sectional survey data from 2022. In addition, this research explores the mechanisms and heterogeneity in this impact. In our analysis, we estimated Probit models and mediation effect models, which show a positive influence of organizational support on farmers' adoption of these technologies. Notably, both institutional support and tool support have a more pronounced positive effect on this adoption. The mechanism analysis shows that organizational support facilitates farmers' adoption of these agricultural green production technologies by expanding their access to high-value markets. Furthermore, when considering heterogeneity among farmers, the study finds that organizational support has the most significant impact on the adoption of these technologies among farmers operating at a moderate scale. Moreover, our research highlights a technology linkage effect in the adoption process. Specifically, organizational support has a positive and significant effect on the adoption of technologies like bagging, physical control, and soil testing formulas, while also having a positive but statistically insignificant impact on technologies such as pollution-free pesticides and organic fertilizer substitution. In conclusion, the study proposes to increase assistance to industrial organizations, to play an influential role in guiding and driving farmers.

Comparative Analysis on Cost-Economics Evaluation of Robotic Tiller-Planter against Conventional Tillage and Planting Operations

The labor-intensive, costly, and time-consuming nature of manual tillage and planting in maize cultivation necessitates the integration of mechanized and robotic methods. This study focuses on the economic evaluation of a Robotic tiller-planter as a solution to address these challenges. Precise robotic tilling and planting methods aim to mitigate cultivation costs, reduce time requirements, and enhance worker comfort. Through a thorough assessment of ownership and operational expenses, farmers gain valuable insights to make informed decisions regarding the adoption of precise robotic machinery, optimization of existing equipment, or exploration of alternative methods for improved farm productivity and financial outcomes. The study compares the Robotic tiller-planter with conventional tillage and planting methods, revealing ownership and operating costs of 172.48 Rs/h and 126.44 Rs/h, respectively. The comparative analysis demonstrated a remarkable 61.58% time savings and a 54.72% reduction in costs during tilling and planting when utilizing the Robotic tiller-planter compared to conventional methods. The findings highlight the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits associated with the robotic system. This research provides farmers with crucial insights, promoting the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies to optimize resource utilization, improve efficiency, and substitute sustainable farming practices.

Perancangan Media Informasi Berbasis Video Dokumenter Pengenalan Produk Bio Gas Kelompok Tani Simantri Sandakan, Sulangai, Petang

The province of Bali, Indonesia, as a tropical destination with abundant natural resources, exhibits a serious focus on the agriculture and livestock sectors. The Simantri program, as a local government innovation, aims to accelerate the adoption of agricultural technology in rural communities. Bio gas, as a renewable energy alternative, emerges as a crucial solution amid the challenges posed by unsustainable fossil fuels. The Simantri Farmers Group in Br. Sandakan, Sulangai Village, faces challenges in introducing their bio gas products to the community. In the Community Service activity, a documentary video was created as an effective informational medium, successfully introducing, enhancing understanding, and raising awareness about the use of bio gas among the community. The video not only promoted the product but also strengthened the role of Simantri in village development and tourism potential. The success of this activity reaffirms that utilizing video-based informational media is an effective step in introducing innovations, enhancing understanding, and supporting the well-being of the local community.

Institutional Synergy in Diffusion and Adoption of Agricultural Technology in Farming Communities in Bantul District, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

The process of diffusion and adoption of agricultural technology can be realized properly if it is supported by the synergy of agricultural institutions and from farming actors. The existence of farmer groups and farmer cooperatives as part of agricultural institutions that are under one roof, is an important forum for farmers in overcoming various problems. The aims of the research were to find out the synergy between agricultural institutions in the diffusion of agricultural technology in farming communities in Bantul Regency, DIY and to find out the level of adoption of agricultural technology by farming communities in Bantul Regency, DIY. The research method was carried out in a descriptive qualitative manner. Data was collected by interviewing cooperative management, farmer groups and farmers with the help of a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by rating scale. From the research results it is known that the diffusion of agricultural technological innovations is carried out in synergy and in stages from the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, the agricultural service, Bank Indonesia, universities, PPL to the management of farmer groups to be disseminated to members. Farmers' cooperatives function as providers of capital, infrastructure such as seeds, subsidized and non-subsidized fertilizers, pesticides and medicines. Meanwhile, farmer groups function as providers of labor and modern agricultural equipment. The level of farmer adoption of agricultural technological innovations is in the good category with a score of 78.

Drivers and barriers to the adoption of precision irrigation technologies in olive and cotton farming—Lessons from Messenia and Thessaly regions in Greece

Precision irrigation technologies have the ability to increase crop yields and productivity, optimize water use efficiency and minimise environmental impact. Despite this, adoption of precision irrigation technologies by farmers remains low and slow. This research investigated the behavioural factors that affect farmers’ intention to adopt precision irrigation technologies in olive groves and cotton production in the regions of Messenia and Thessaly of Greece respectively. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews using an extensive questionnaire, involving a sample of 82 farmer respondents. The findings reveal that environmental consciousness has the most substantial impact on farmers’ intention to adopt precision irrigation technologies. It is followed by perceived economic benefits, perceived behavioural control, and perceived compatibility, all of which contribute significantly to the intention to adopt. Furthermore, risk aversion, although displaying a smaller effect, remains a notable consideration in the analysis. These results offer valuable insights into technology adoption in agriculture and bear implications for future strategies and policy recommendations.

Integrative Review of Livelihood Diversification, Agricultural Technology Adoption and Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare in Ethiopia

Integrative Review of Livelihood Diversification, Agricultural Technology Adoption and Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare in Ethiopia

Integrative Review of Livelihood Diversification, Agricultural Technology Adoption and Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare in Ethiopia

Integrative Review of Livelihood Diversification, Agricultural Technology Adoption and Smallholder Farmers’ Welfare in Ethiopia

Ghanaian Farmers’ Personal Trait and Agricultural Technology Adoption: Consumer Behaviour Perspectives

The study of consumer behaviour has gained importance since it is used to pinpoint the elements that influence consumers’ decisions to embrace or reject innovations. This study seeks to understand adoption and use of agricultural technologies through the analysis of Ghanian farmers’ personal elements as inherent in consumer behaviour. Using a quantitative research methodology, 285 rural rice farmers in Ghana's Volta Region were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional survey that was used to gather data. The structural equation modelling method was used to test respondents’ attitude, perceived complexity and self-efficacy to adopt agricultural technology. This study found that a farmer’s attitude and self-efficacy to adopt and use agricultural technology were significantly positively correlated. The decision of adoption and use technology is however complex based on the varied attitude, self-efficacy and the technical requirement of the specific technology. The implication for this finding is relevant for technology marketing and regulatory policy to promote and support technology adoption and use by farmers in Ghana. The results, though relevant and valid in consumer behaviour and marketing, application context may vary widely requiring consideration of other variable for adaptation as envisaged in international marketing.

Can different information channels promote farmers' adoption of Agricultural Green Production Technologies? Empirical insights from Sichuan Province.

Information accessibility is a pivotal factor influencing farmers' adoption of Agricultural Green Production Technologies (AGPT). However, the widespread issue of information poverty presents a significant obstacle to this adoption process, thereby hindering the progression towards sustainable agricultural development. To address this information deficit, farmers have begun to utilize the Internet and participate in government-led onsite assembly training programs to acquire the necessary knowledge. Yet there is still a lack of research evidence on the effectiveness and comparative advantages of internet and offline training. This study explores the impact of various information access channels on farmers' adoption of green production technologies in agriculture, focusing on a sample of 731 family farms located in Sichuan Province. The issue of endogeneity was addressed using the Conditional Mixed Process Estimation Method. The sample underwent a t-test and heterogeneity analysis. The findings revealed that both internet-based information access and participation in training significantly bolstered farmers' adoption of AGPT, with the former proving to be more effective. Notably, heterogeneity was observed among farmers, differentiated by age and the number of village cadres within their family units.

Economic Evaluation of Twin Row Maize Planter: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

The adoption of innovative agricultural technologies plays a crucial role improving farm productivity and overall economic outcomes. This research article aims to evaluate the economic viability of twin row maize planters compared to conventional single-row planters. The study assesses the economic benefits, costs and profitability associated with the adoption of twin row planting in maize cultivation. The analysis incorporates factors such as yields improvement, input savings, labor requirements, and machinery costs, providing valuable insights for farmers. Annual utility of mini tractor and the machine was considered as 1000 and 200 hrs respectively. Field efficiency of developed twin-row planter at 1.5 to 2.5 kmh-1 speed of operation was 76.9 to 87% respectively. The payback period calculated on year basis for planter was 1.78 years. Cost of operation by twin row maize planter can save up to 20% as compared to the traditional methods.

The Impact of Cooperative membership on Adoption of Modern Technology by Bee farmers in Kenya.

The main aim of this research is to examine the impact of cooperative membership on adoption of modern technology by bee farmers in Kenya. This study’s data comes from a bee farmers survey in Baringo County, Kenya using a sampling size of 201 households. Probit, logit and Instrumental variable models were incorporated to test for the estimation of relationships and the information generated imported into the SPSS computer application (SPSS 2015) and STATA MP 17 for statistical analysis. The results show that education has a negative significant predictor of cooperative membership at a 5% significance level. Attaining secondary levels did not contribute to farmers’ decision to join cooperative membership. Older farmers were more likely to join cooperatives, unlike the young farmers. Using neighbors in cooperatives as an instrumental variable, the findings indicate that farmers with neighbors who were already in cooperative membership were more likely to join cooperatives. In addition, the majority of adopters of modern bee farming technologies had access to both credit and markets and reported to have experienced an increase in income from bee farming. The adoption of modern beekeeping technologies, such as protective gears, and honey extractors, enabled the farmers to produce more and better-quality honey, which fetched higher prices in the market. Cooperative membership increased the probability of adopting modern beekeeping technology. As such, the study recommends that cooperatives should provide more incentives and support to their members, such as training, subsidies, quality assurance, and market linkages to promote the adoption of modern bee farming technologies.

The effect of agricultural technology on improving farming business performance and the welfare: Evidence from the welfare of rice farmers in Tabanan regency

This research focuses on the welfare of rice farmers in Tabanan Regency as a form of support for the sustainability of the agricultural sector to support the food security and sovereignty of Bali Province, which is still primarily supported by Tabanan Regency. This research was conducted in Tabanan Regency, Bali Province, known as the "rice barn" of Bali Province, with the largest area of rice fields and the most significant number of farmers in Bali Province. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach using a questionnaire, and the analysis technique used in this research is SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Modeling Partial Least Square) analysis, with 167 rice farmers as respondents to this research. The findings from this research show that farming business performance can mediate the influence of agricultural technology adoption on the welfare of rice farmers in Tabanan Regency. The findings from this research are strengthened by interviews showing that rice farmers in Tabanan Regency have confidence in themselves in farming. This is demonstrated by farmers' efforts to use various developments in agricultural technology, such as using superior seeds and modern agricultural equipment, which can shorten the working time, among others, to improve the welfare of rice farmers in Tabanan Regency.