Digital Agricultural Technologies Research Articles

Does Farmers’ Cognition Enhance Their Enthusiasm for Adopting Sustainable Digital Agricultural Extension Services? Evidence from Rural China

The service model of digital agricultural technology extension, as a novel and sustainable approach, plays a pivotal role in facilitating the digital transformation of farmers’ agricultural practices. Leveraging survey data from 1475 farmers in China, the study employed a multivariate ordered logit model to investigate the relationship between farmers’ cognition and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. The findings revealed that subjective and objective cognitions positively influence farmers’ enthusiasm for adopting digital agricultural extension services. Furthermore, policy incentives, as a significant regulatory factor, effectively influence farmers’ cognition levels and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. Additionally, female respondents, farmers with higher educational levels, and membership in agricultural cooperatives all facilitate the adoption of these services. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework for agricultural technology promotion, aiding in the understanding of farmers’ decision-making processes when adopting digital agricultural extension services, but also provides a deeper insight into the role of digital agricultural technologies in promoting sustainable agricultural development, offering scientific evidence for relevant policy formulation and implementation.

MARKETING MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS: CHALLENGES OF DIGITALIZATION

The article analyzes the impact of digitalization processes on the agricultural sector and the challenges faced by enterprises in this industry. The author analyzes the impact of external and internal environmental factors on the development of agricultural businesses and the problems that delay the development of digital technologies in agriculture. It is noted that an important element of marketing management is a systematic approach that allows establishing relationships between these factors, assessing their impact and formulating marketing management strategies. Based on the results of the study, the author substantiates the need to create favorable conditions for the introduction of digital tools in the marketing management of agricultural businesses. The results of the analysis also indicate the potential of using innovative marketing methods, such as analyzing market trends and using digital communication channels, to overcome the challenges of digitalization and increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The prospects for the development of digitalization processes in the marketing management of agricultural enterprises are considered. It is noted that through systematic market analysis, budget management, and the use of digital technologies and communication channels, enterprises can skillfully navigate market fluctuations while optimizing operational resources. The study provides the conclusions necessary for the further development of marketing management strategies in agriculture, taking into account the current challenges of digitalization and the needs of agricultural businesses in Ukraine. It is stated that the prospects for the development of digitalization processes in agrarian business emphasize the importance of integrating marketing management into the strategic planning of agricultural enterprises and its potential to increase the efficiency of innovation in this sector.

Adoption of ICT4D and its determinants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Various Digital Agricultural Technologies (DAT) have been developed and implemented around the world. This study aims to estimate the overall adoption rate and identify the determinant factors for a better adoption perspective after decades of innovation and dissemination. A systematic review was conducted on published studies that reported adoption rates and determinant factors using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. We used meta-regression and the partial correlation coefficient to estimate the effect size and establish the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and the adoption of various technologies reported. Fifty-two studies with 32400 participants met the selection criteria and were included in the study. The results revealed an overall pooled adoption rate of 39 %, with the highest adoption rates in developing countries in Africa and South America. Socioeconomic factors such as age, education, gender, and income were found to be the main determinants and should be considered when designing technology for sustainable adoption. The study also found that young farmers were more susceptible to adoption. Moreover, farmers with higher income levels and educational attainment are more likely to use technology linked to agricultural production, market access, and digital advising, implying that high-income farmers with more education are more tech-savvy. However, this does not exclude low-income and low-educated farmers from adopting the technologies, as many models and strategies with socioeconomic considerations were developed. It is one of the reasons behind the underlying enthusiasm for digital agricultural adoption in low and middle-income countries.

Main drivers and barriers to the adoption of Digital Agriculture technologies

The transition from traditional agriculture to Digital Agriculture involves various elements that make it challenging. Given the different contexts and particularities, this paper aims to identify and analyze the primary factors and barriers to adopting Digital Agriculture, to promote an understanding of this transition. By conducting a bibliometric assessment and analyzing case studies, the results show that the economic condition, availability of technological infrastructure, technical knowledge, age of farmers, type of organization, reliability of technology, and concerns about security and privacy are important elements in adopting Digital Agriculture. The study also reveals a limitation linked to the data sources used in their preparation by analyzing the case studies. This finding reveals the existence of a gap in the literature concerning the scarcity of indicators capable of measuring the adoption of digital agriculture while at the same time providing a perspective devoid of producer bias. Furthermore, by considering the insights provided by the identification and analysis of those factors and barriers, policymakers can tailor policies to address specific challenges and promote the widespread adoption of digital technologies in agriculture.

Adoption of smart farm networks: a translational process to inform digital agricultural technologies

AbstractDue to natural phenomena like global warming and climate change, agricultural production is increasingly faced with threats that transcend farm boundaries. Management practices at the landscape or community level are often required to adequately respond to these new challenges (e.g., pest migration). Such decision-making at a community or beyond-farm level—i.e., practices that are jointly developed by farmers within a community—can be aided by computing and communications technology. In this study, we employ a translational research process to examine the social and behavioral drivers of adoption of smart and connected farm networks among commodity crop farmers in the United States. We implement focus groups and questionnaires to bring to the fore views on the use of digital technologies in collaborative contexts. We find that participating farmers are concerned with several issues about the potential features of the network (e.g., the ability to ensure data validity while maintaining data privacy) and the nature of their interactions with the various stakeholders involved in the network management. The participatory approach we adopt helps provide insights into the process of developing technologies that are both actionable and trusted by potential end users.

Food security, the agriculture value chain, and digital transformation: The case of Jamaica's agricultural business information system (ABIS)

Digital transformation has potential for improving food security through agriculture development. While these transformations are welcomed and while societies are generally moving towards modernization and digitalization, farmers in the Global South have not been transitioning into the age of digitalization, and so are unable to take full advantage in ways that can enhance the agro value chain. Considering this, what may account for the sub-optimal take up from digital transformation deployment in agriculture sector in a small island developing state? Has there been any successes to the agriculture value-chain? What are the lessons to be learned? While the systems are available and farmers may have an interest in using them, their lack of ability to maneuver these new technologies leads to non-take up/use of the new beneficial technologies. A general distrust in government further compounded by a general distrust in the use of the internet has polarized farmers from digital technologies. The sluggish operations of governments of the South have inhibited the innovation that is required to enhance take up of digital technologies in agriculture. Privatization of digitalization in agriculture is therefore proffered as an alternative to a state-owned and state-operated digital transformation of agriculture. A policy options framework is proposed as a starting point to mitigating some of the challenges faced and improving digital transformation efforts in agriculture.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Relationship between Digital Technology Use and Agricultural Productivity in EU Countries

Amidst the rapid evolution of digital technologies and their prospective implications for agricultural productivity, farmers are increasingly turning to Agriculture 4.0. As digitization permeates every facet of agriculture, the potential for boosting productivity while ensuring sustainability and resilience becomes increasingly tangible. The objective of this study is to understand how the adoption of digital technologies influences agricultural productivity within the diverse socioeconomic and agricultural landscapes of EU nations. The research of this study aims to address questions concerning the impact of digital technology use on agricultural productivity across EU countries. This study employs a robust analytical framework combining equation modeling (SEM), artificial neural networks, and cluster analysis. SEM analysis reveals significant associations and influences between digital technology use and productivity related to the total labor force across EU countries. Moreover, cluster analysis outlines distinct clusters of EU member states distinguished by varying degrees of digital technology incorporation and corresponding agricultural productivity, emphasizing the diverse socioeconomic contexts that influence these associations. These findings underscore the significance of embracing digital technology as a catalyst for enhancing agricultural productivity across EU nations. Future research could focus on devising strategies to promote the widespread adoption of digital technologies in agriculture across EU member states, and longitudinal analyses could offer insights into the dynamic relationship between digital technology use and agricultural output, informing policy interventions.

Impacts of Crop Type and Climate Changes on Agricultural Water Dynamics in Northeast China from 2000 to 2020

Northeast China (NEC) is one of the most important national agricultural production bases, and its agricultural water dynamics are essential for food security and sustainable agricultural development. However, the dynamics of long-term annual crop-specific agricultural water and its crop type and climate impacts remain largely unknown, compromising water-saving practices and water-efficiency agricultural management in this vital area. Thus, this study used multi-source data of the crop type, climate factors, and the digital elevation model (DEM), and multiple digital agriculture technologies of remote sensing (RS), the geographic information system (GIS), the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-SCS) model, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Penman–Monteith (FAO P-M) model, and the water supply–demand index (M) to map the annual spatiotemporal distribution of effective precipitation (Pe), crop water requirement (ETc), irrigation water requirement (IWR), and the supply–demand situation in the NEC from 2000 to 2020. The study further analyzed the impacts of the crop type and climate changes on agricultural water dynamics and revealed the reasons and policy implications for their spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The results indicated that the annual average Pe, ETc, IWR, and M increased by 1.56%/a, 0.74%/a, 0.42%/a, and 0.83%/a in the NEC, respectively. Crop-specifically, the annual average Pe increased by 1.15%/a, 2.04%/a, and 2.09%/a, ETc decreased by 0.46%/a, 0.79%/a, and 0.89%/a, IWR decreased by 1.03%/a, 1.32%/a, and 3.42%/a, and M increased by 1.48%/a, 2.67%/a, and 2.87%/a for maize, rice, and soybean, respectively. Although the ETc and IWR for all crops decreased, regional averages still increased due to the expansion of water-intensive maize and rice. The crop type and climate changes jointly influenced agricultural water dynamics. Crop type transfer contributed 39.28% and 41.25% of the total IWR increase, and the remaining 60.72% and 58.75% were caused by cropland expansion in the NEC from 2000 to 2010 and 2010 to 2020, respectively. ETc and IWR increased with increasing temperature and solar radiation, and increasing precipitation led to decreasing IWR in the NEC. The adjustment of crop planting structure and the implementation of water-saving practices need to comprehensively consider the spatiotemporally heterogeneous impacts of crop and climate changes on agricultural water dynamics. The findings of this study can aid RS-GIS-based agricultural water simulations and applications and support the scientific basis for agricultural water management and sustainable agricultural development.

Exploring the impact of agricultural digitalization on smallholder farmers' livelihoods in Ghana

With the government's pursuit of a digitalization agenda, Ghana is at the forefront of championing digital transformation in Africa. However, people in rural areas are being left behind in harnessing the immense benefits of digitalization for their livelihoods. This study contributes to policy efforts aimed at bridging that gap by investigating the drivers of agricultural digitalization (AD) as well as its effects on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. Data from a cross-sectional survey of 525 rural farmers across northern, middle and southern Ghana was employed. The study used the probit and tobit estimators to analyze the drivers and intensity of adoption of digital technologies in agriculture and the inverse probability weighting and regression adjustment estimator to mitigate endogeneity concerns. The results show that while female farmers trail male farmers in the intensity of applying digital technologies, higher educational attainment, better perception of digitalization, group/cooperative membership, number of economically active household members, and access to reliable electricity, internet and mobile money services significantly promote the use of digital technologies in agricultural activities. The results further show that AD is significantly associated with perceived improvements in livelihood assets, and ultimately livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers in rural Ghana. These findings highlight the importance of investing in rural digital infrastructure by policymakers, the private sector and other stakeholders, so as to expand access to and the uptake of digital technologies in agriculture to bolster rural development in Ghana.

ASSESING ROMANIAN FARMERS’ MOTIVATION FOR DIGITALIZATION: A UNIFIED THEORY OF ACCEPTANCE AND USAGE OF TECHNOLOGY (UTAUT) BASED RESEARCH MODEL

The digital agriculture adoption strive by farmers could be assimilated with the adoption efforts of the computer technologies (ICT) by their respective users in other professional fields. Therefore, this paper proposes the adaptation of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Usage of Technology (UTAUT) model to explore the motivations for the use of digital tools by field crop farmers in Romania. The history of TAM and UTAUT is explored as well as the usage of UTAUT2 and UTAUT3 in digital agriculture adoption studies globally. Furthermore, comparison is also made with other farmer studies based on a different research architecture conceived also to explore their motivations to use digital agriculture tools. The proposed model is building on the decades long research and validation of the UTAUT model, and it will be employed in subsequent quantitative studies to evaluate the Romanian farmers’ motivations to embrace the digital agriculture technologies and practices. The paper is the outcome of the individual research done by the author and it was enhanced following academic debates and conference presentations. It is deemed to have a dual applicability, as a field tool for academic research but also provides guidance for companies developing digital tools for farmers in Romania and beyond.

Agricultural Digitalization In Indonesia: Challenges And Opportunities For Sustainable Development

This study examines the current state of agricultural digitalization in Indonesia, focusing on its potential to transform the agricultural sector and improve farmer welfare. Using the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), the research analyzes existing conditions, challenges, and opportunities in implementing digital technologies in agriculture. The study reveals that while agricultural digitalization is recognized as a priority in Indonesia's national development plans, its implementation faces significant hurdles. These include limited comprehensive regulations, uneven digital infrastructure, low digital literacy among farmers, and varying perceptions of technology adoption. The research highlights the need for an integrated approach involving key stakeholders such as the government, private sector, and farmers. The CATWOE analysis identifies farmers as primary beneficiaries and emphasizes the importance of tailored policies and infrastructure development. The study proposes recommendations for accelerating digital adoption, including formulating comprehensive regulations, improving rural digital infrastructure, enhancing farmer education programs, and strengthening the role of agricultural extension workers. The conceptual model developed through SSM provides a framework for creating an innovative and sustainable digital agricultural ecosystem. This research contributes to the understanding of agricultural digitalization in Indonesia and offers insights for policymakers and practitioners in developing effective strategies for digital transformation in agriculture.

Smart Agriculture Solutions: Harnessing AI and IoT for Crop Management

This review article, “Smart Agriculture Solutions: Harnessing AI and IoT for Crop Management,” explores the transformative impact of digital technologies in agriculture. It focuses on the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing sustainable farming practices. IoT technologies enable real-time monitoring of agricultural conditions using sensors and drones, while Cloud Computing provides robust data processing capabilities. AI leverages this data for predictive analytics in crop yields, disease detection, and automation of farming processes, optimizing resource use and adapting to climate change. The paper also examines the synergy of renewable energy sources with AI to power smart farming systems, proposing innovative solutions for energy-efficient, AI-driven agriculture. It highlights AI’s extensive role in improving crop management, from seed selection to soil analysis and crop health monitoring, thereby increasing yield quality and fostering sustainability. Furthermore, the article discusses the significance of space technologies in smart agriculture, showcasing advancements like drones and big data analytics. These innovations are crucial in developing economies, addressing global challenges like food security and contributing to economic growth. This review underlines the necessity of AI and IoT in revolutionizing agricultural methodologies, ensuring efficiency and sustainability in the face of a rapidly growing global population.

The Impact of Digitalisation on Employment in Agriculture in Ukraine and Slovakia

The digital transformation is strategically important for the agricultural sector development, food security and employment in the agricultural sector and related industries. The study aimed to assess the impact of digitalisation on employment in agriculture in Ukraine and Slovakia. The study found that Ukraine and Slovakia have successfully implemented digital technologies in agriculture, which has led to positive results for agricultural production and sector competitiveness. Both countries use digital platforms to collect, process, and analyse data, contributing to efficient resource management and making agriculture more accurate and productive. However, Ukraine has a low correlation between the number of people employed in agriculture and investments in digital transformation, possibly due to the specifics of agriculture and infrastructure constraints. In Slovakia, however, the level of dependence is moderate, indicating more efficient use of digital tools in agriculture. For the further development of digital agriculture in both countries, it is crucial to consider the specifics of infrastructure, financing, and farmers’ readiness to implement digital solutions. Attention should also be paid to simplifying bureaucratic procedures and supporting research and innovation, which will help to increase the benefits of the digital transformation of agriculture and further improve the productivity and competitiveness of the sector.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ В ОТРАСЛИ РАСТЕНИЕВОДСТВА

The article is devoted to the problems of introducing digital technologies in agriculture and, in particular, in crop production. The current state and trends in the digitalization of agriculture in Russia are analyzed, and factors for increasing the efficiency of crop production in the context of the use of digital technologies are summarized. The issues of an adaptive landscape approach to farming based on digital technologies are considered, which allows opening up new opportunities for agricultural enterprises and contributing to their sustainable development.

Digital Technology Adoption and Potential in Southeast Asian Agriculture

While the rural agriculture sector has traditionally been seen as backward relative to the urban industrial and services sectors, it is a potential “low-hanging fruit” ripe for a much-needed digital transformation for agricultural development. ASEAN has seen a U-turn in progress in addressing undernourishment as early as 2014–16, owing to multiple factors. These include climate change which impacts have led to a slowdown in agricultural yield growth amidst growing consumption requirements. Digital technologies are important in adapting the agriculture sector to climate change and rising demand for it to serve as a key sector for food security, income, trade, and employment in the region. However, adoption of digital technologies in agriculture within the region is still relatively nascent, partly because of a general lack of understanding of such technologies and how they contribute to agricultural development. Also lacking is a common framework for understanding and classifying the relevance of such technologies. Thus, this article proposes a common framework and narrates how it was developed and used in facilitating discussions that helped develop the 2021 ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting the Utilization of Digital Technologies for ASEAN Food and Agricultural Sector. We draw insights from our earlier work on the state of adoption of digital technologies in agriculture in the region and give an overview of key challenges and policy opportunities for scaling up.

SUBSTANTIATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STRUCTURAL AND ALGORITHMIC ORGANIZATION OF AN IOT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR SOIL AND CLIMATE PARAMETERS IN AGRICULTURAL CROP ENTERPRISES

Relevance. As one of the key sectors of the global economy, agriculture plays a decisive role in shaping sustainable economic development and ensuring food security worldwide. Achieving satisfactory indicators of food security and the export potential of agricultural products is a domestic priority for economic recovery and sustainable development. Accordingly, the development and implementation of modern digital technologies in agriculture becomes a strategically important task. The utilization of cutting-edge technologies for the agricultural sector, coupled with the improvement of cultivation and processing methods for agricultural crops, is a key element in ensuring the resilience and efficiency of the industry. The main aim is to conduct a critical analysis of existing solutions in the field of information monitoring for agricultural purposes. This analysis will allow the development of an optimized structural and algorithmic organization for the computerized system. This system is designed to implement effective monitoring and decision support for managing agricultural processes. The research object is existing approaches and methods for organizing monitoring systems in the agricultural sector to collect, transmit, and process measurement data. The research subject is information and communication software and hardware solutions in the field of computerized monitoring for agricultural purposes. Conclusions. It has been substantiated that the development and implementation of conceptual software and hardware solutions in information technology for monitoring soil and climatic parameters when cultivating agricultural crops in open-field conditions are currently a relevant scientific and applied task. The set of requirements for the structural and algorithmic organization of the IoT technology for soil and climatic monitoring has been substantiated. An analysis and selection of technologies on which the investigated hardware and software solution will be based have been carried out. The overall and detailed structural and algorithmic organization of the investigated IoT system for agrotechnical monitoring has been developed, and priority directions for further research have been established.

Digitalization and energy conservation as key factors in the development of agro-industrial complex of the country

Subject. The study explores the impact of digitalization on effective development of the country’s agro-industrial complex. Objectives. The purpose is to identify advantages and disadvantages in the introduction of elements of digitalization in the agricultural production of the country and the level of readiness for its use, examine possible risks when using elements of digitalization in the agro-industrial complex. Methods. The study employs abstract-logical, monographic, comparative methods. Results. We reviewed the concept of digitalization in relation to agricultural production, analyzed and assessed risks when using digitalization elements in agricultural activities. The paper presents graphical distribution of districts by the level of digitalization in agriculture. Conclusions. The introduction of each element requires significant financial and labor costs. Systematic implementation of digital technologies in agriculture will become the basis for its further development.

Preface

The Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Modern Technologies in Agricultural Sciences (4th-ICMTAS) are encompassed within this Volume. The event was organized by the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Kufa in Iraq. From September 20th to September 21st, 2023, the city of Kufa in Najaf, Iraq.The primary objective of the Conference was to facilitate the sharing of expertise among prominent specialists in the domains of high-tech geochemical, geological, geophysical, and information technologies in various sectors such as agriculture, energy, oil and gas engineering, environmental management and engineering, mining, and soil processing technologies. Additionally, the conference aimed to explore contemporary areas of biodiversity research and conservation methods for sustainable development. It also sought to examine the environmental impact of food production and sustainable systems of food technologies. Other topics of interest included agroforestry, environmental safety, green technologies, and the management of natural resources.The Conference was structured according to the following guidelines:The academic disciplines encompassed in this list include ecology, plant protection, horticulture and forest ecology, agronomy and medicinal plants, food technology and sustainability of food security, sustainability of animal production techniques, sustainability of soil and water resources, agricultural mechanization techniques, and renewable energy resources, as well as techniques of agricultural economic and social sciences.The primary objectives of the conference were to offer lecturers and researchers from across Iraq a platform to disseminate their research on an international scale, engage in discussions pertaining to technological advancements and innovative engineering solutions in the fields of farming and irrigation, and contribute to the global academic community by providing open access information on the current state of agriculture in Iraq.A total of 722 submissions were submitted by scientists and practitioners from Iraq as well as international contributors.All of the papers underwent a rigorous process of peer assessment. Consequently, a total of 542 submissions were chosen for publishing. The present proceedings provide readers with an overview of recent advancements in various areas of study, including agricultural machinery, green energy systems, biosystems engineering and waste management, digital technologies in agriculture, food storage and processing, tillage and reclamation technologies, and natural resources.The IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES) was selected as the platform for authors to publish their works in a globally recognized publication that undergoes rigorous peer review. The aforementioned statement is highly regarded by all attendees of our conference.We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Chairman, the distinguished keynote speakers, as well as all the participants. We also want to thank the publisher for publishing the proceedings. May the readers could enjoy the gain some valuable knowledge from it. We are expecting more and more experts and scholars from all over the world to join this international event next year.List of committees for 4th International Conference of Modern Technologies in Agricultural Sciences (4th-ICMTAS), Local Scientific Committee, International Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee, Media and Technical Committee, Keynote Speakers are available in the pdf.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Digital Technology by Farmers in China: A Systematic Literature Review

Increasing pressure for food security and environmental sustainability has highlighted the need to switch from conventional agricultural methods to advanced agricultural practices. Digital agricultural technologies are considered promising solutions for sustainable intensification of food production and environmental protection. Despite significant promotional efforts initiated in recent years in China, the adoption rate remains low. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the factors affecting the adoption of on-farm digital technologies in China using a systematic review approach that analyzes 10 relevant studies. Data regarding methodological aspects and results are extracted. We identify 19 key adoption drivers that are related to socioeconomic, agroecological, technological, institutional, psychological, and behavioral factors. There is a predominance of ex-ante studies that use stated preference methods. We conclude with a discussion of the design of policy incentives to induce the adoption of digital technologies. Additionally, the review points to the limitations of existing research and suggests approaches that can be adopted for future investigations. This review provides meaningful implications for the development of future efforts to promote digital transformation for sustainable agriculture in China.

Smallholder farmers’ perception and adoption of digital agricultural technologies: An empirical evidence from Vietnam

This study examines smallholder farmers’ perception of digital agricultural technology and factors that shape the smallholders’ adoption of it in South Central Vietnam. A sample size of 202 smallholder farmers was randomly chosen from a total population of 407 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The results show that the internet and connectivity/wireless, mobile applications and digital platforms are the common digital technologies used by smallholder farmers and these are also the most effective digital technologies for dealing with agricultural production and marketing issues. It can be concluded that younger smallholder farmers who had higher education levels, who interacted with scientists and possessed large farms are in a better position to adopt digital technologies of the internet and connectivity/wireless, mobile applications and digital platforms than older smallholder farmers who had lower education levels, did not interact with scientists and owned small farms. Smallholder farmers who participated in training programs, was member of community-based organisations and contacted with extension workers tend to be digital technology users of the internet and connectivity/wireless and mobile applications. Smallholder farmers who live far from local markets tend to be digital technology users of digital platforms compared to those who live close to one. The provision of training courses on the use of digital technologies in agriculture that consider demographic, socio-economic and institutional characteristics of smallholders when designing and delivering, is a proper agricultural extension strategy which can foster the smallholder farmers to adopt digital technologies for managing agricultural production and marketing systems.