1- Department of Water engineering and Agricultural Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili , a_bagheri@uma.ac.ir
2- University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
2- University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
Abstract: (548 Views)
Precision agriculture promises to enhance economic benefits while maintaining more environmentally friendly farming practices. Despite the efforts to facilitate the adoption of precision farming technologies (PFTs) the adoption remains low. Using an extended version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) with two external constructs of personal innovativeness (PI) and compatibility (COM), this study investigated pioneer farmers’ intention (INT) to use PFTs. The results showed that the extended model could promote the explanatory power of the TAM and explain 72.6% of the variation in farmers’ INT to use PFTs. Respondents were relatively innovative (mean=3.25), had positive attitudes (ATT) (mean=3.53), and relatively positive INT to use PFTs (mean=3.24). In contrast, they perceived that PFTs are difficult to use (mean=2.7), relatively useful (mean=2.93), and lowly compatible with their small-scale farming systems (mean=2.66). COM was the most important factor affecting INT, followed by perceived ease of use (PEU), perceived usefulness (PU), PI, and ATT. At the same time, PEU had no significant effect on ATT, indicating that when farmers are assessing PFTs, ease of use is not a problem, but when they intend to use these technologies, PEU is essential. Considering the high initial investment requirement and knowledge-intensive nature of PFTs, policy and educational interventions are required to facilitate farmers' utilization of these technologies. To achieve the best results, they should begin with pioneer farmers.
Keywords: Precision farming technologies Extended technology acceptance model, pioneer farmers, personal innovativeness, compatibility.
Article Type: Original Research |
Subject:
Agricultural Extension and Education
Received: 2023/07/13 | Accepted: 2024/01/2 | Published: 2024/03/31
Received: 2023/07/13 | Accepted: 2024/01/2 | Published: 2024/03/31
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