Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice
The increasing pressure on food security and environmental sustainability has emphasized the importance of effective farm resource usage. Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have been considered as one of the solutions to these challenges. Multiple stakeholders and agencies working in the agri...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/2/177 |
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| author | Shreesha Pandeya Buddhi R. Gyawali Suraj Upadhaya |
| author_facet | Shreesha Pandeya Buddhi R. Gyawali Suraj Upadhaya |
| author_sort | Shreesha Pandeya |
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| description | The increasing pressure on food security and environmental sustainability has emphasized the importance of effective farm resource usage. Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have been considered as one of the solutions to these challenges. Multiple stakeholders and agencies working in the agriculture sector have implemented various initiatives to facilitate their adoption. Despite numerous initiatives, the adoption of PATs in small farms is shallow in the United States. It is important to understand what socio-economic and demographic factors influence their decision-making regarding PAT adoption. This research aimed to provide actionable insights that can help farmers overcome existing challenges and capitalize on the benefits of advanced agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector. This study used a mixed approach (a combination of mail, in-person, and focus group discussion) to investigate factors influencing PAT adoption by small-scale farmers in Kentucky. The data were analyzed using the binary logistic regression method. The results revealed that farm size and longer years of farming experience increased the likelihood of PAT adoption, whereas farmers’ age negatively affected adoption. Other demographic variables, such as gender, income, and education, did not influence adoption significantly. To promote the adoption of PATs among small farmers in Kentucky, policies should focus on supporting younger farmers and building PATs suitable for operating in small farms and reducing barriers. Furthermore, providing targeted training and resources to small-scale farmers can help to promote the adoption of these technologies, thereby improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-56edcdfd2be34812af23c575603ad667 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-56edcdfd2be34812af23c575603ad6672025-01-24T13:16:01ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-01-0115217710.3390/agriculture15020177Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and PracticeShreesha Pandeya0Buddhi R. Gyawali1Suraj Upadhaya2School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, USASchool of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, USASchool of Agriculture and Natural Resources, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601, USAThe increasing pressure on food security and environmental sustainability has emphasized the importance of effective farm resource usage. Precision agriculture technologies (PATs) have been considered as one of the solutions to these challenges. Multiple stakeholders and agencies working in the agriculture sector have implemented various initiatives to facilitate their adoption. Despite numerous initiatives, the adoption of PATs in small farms is shallow in the United States. It is important to understand what socio-economic and demographic factors influence their decision-making regarding PAT adoption. This research aimed to provide actionable insights that can help farmers overcome existing challenges and capitalize on the benefits of advanced agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector. This study used a mixed approach (a combination of mail, in-person, and focus group discussion) to investigate factors influencing PAT adoption by small-scale farmers in Kentucky. The data were analyzed using the binary logistic regression method. The results revealed that farm size and longer years of farming experience increased the likelihood of PAT adoption, whereas farmers’ age negatively affected adoption. Other demographic variables, such as gender, income, and education, did not influence adoption significantly. To promote the adoption of PATs among small farmers in Kentucky, policies should focus on supporting younger farmers and building PATs suitable for operating in small farms and reducing barriers. Furthermore, providing targeted training and resources to small-scale farmers can help to promote the adoption of these technologies, thereby improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/2/177barriersextensionlogit modelsmall farmssustainabilitytechnology adoption |
| spellingShingle | Shreesha Pandeya Buddhi R. Gyawali Suraj Upadhaya Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice Agriculture barriers extension logit model small farms sustainability technology adoption |
| title | Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice |
| title_full | Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice |
| title_fullStr | Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice |
| title_short | Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice |
| title_sort | factors influencing precision agriculture technology adoption among small scale farmers in kentucky and their implications for policy and practice |
| topic | barriers extension logit model small farms sustainability technology adoption |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/2/177 |
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