Precision agriculture technology adoption: a qualitative study of small-scale commercial “family farms” located in the North China Plain

Abstract

Precision agriculture (PA) technologies offer a potential solution to food security and environmental challenges but, will only be successful if adopted by farmers. Adoption in China lags behind that in some developed agricultural economies despite scientifically proven benefits of PA technologies for Chinese agriculture. Adoption is dependent on farmer attitudes and perceptions towards PA technologies. An exploratory qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted with Chinese arable farmers (n = 27) to explore their perceptions towards and adoption intentions of PA technologies in two Chinese provinces (Hebei and Shandong). A thematic analysis revealed five central themes to have emerged from the data, these were: “socio-political landscape”, “farming culture”, “agricultural challenges”, “adoption intentions (barriers/facilitators” and “practical support mechanisms”. All were likely to influence the level and rate of adoption of PA technologies amongst family farmers in China. The research revealed an openness to the potential of PA technologies amongst family farmers, although there was heterogeneity in the perceptions of PA technology and willingness to adopt. Improved rates of adoption will be achieved by reducing the barriers to adoption, including the need for low-cost PA applications that can be applied at small scale, improved information provision, financial support mechanisms including more accessible subsidies and credit, and reliable, regulated and affordable service provision.

How can precision farming work on a small scale? A systematic literature review

“…The optimal case (high adoption of different PA technologies) occurs when farmers have sufficient knowledge and capital. Barnes et al (2019), Cao et al, (2012), Dobermann et al, (2002), Godwin et al, (2003), Groher et al, (2020), Kendall et al, (2021), Natcher et al, (2016) Mehrabi et al, (2021), Shang et al, (2021), Vecchio et al, (2020) Table 7 PA-related difficulties and potential solutions among small-scale farms cannot be optimal. Farmer's awareness, along with insufficient capital, leads to partial use of PA.…”

“…Based on 27 in-depth interviews, Kendall et al ( 2021) identified five factors of PA adoption in China. Similarly to Barnes et al (2019), farmers with agricultural education can be characterized by greater awareness and participation in PA. Kendall et al (2021) also pointed out that Chinese farmers have shortterm orientation because they focus only on the economic benefits of the technology and leave other, mostly potential environmental, benefits aside. Low economic performance of small-scale farms and high costs of PA turned out to be the major barriers.…”

Application of Bio and Nature-Inspired Algorithms in Agricultural Engineering

“…The cross-validation approach affirmed the suitability and reliability of the BIAs. On the downside, cost and technical expertise were major drawbacks, especially among smallholder farmers with limited resources [182]. The concerns raised by Kendall et al [182] were corroborated by a UNDP report [11], which argued that smallholder farmers lacked resources.…”

Agricultura familiar, gestión administrativa y desarrollo organizacional: Caso, caficultores de cafés especiales, origen Cauca

“…Igualmente, y de acuerdo con Corredor Camargo et al (2020), se evidencia que el nivel educativo de los miembros de las unidades campesinas llega a un nivel de básica primaria, contemplándose como un factor social limitante para el alcance de la competitividad tecnológica en el sector de producción de café, haciendo más difícil la adopción de nuevas técnicas que favorezcan una caficultura de vanguardia. De manera adicional, y como lo plantea Kendall et al, (2022), el conocimiento que favorece la toma de decisiones en familias agricultoras se transmite de generación en generación y de manera tradicional, privándolo de bases técnicas cuantitativas que sirvan de comparación y análisis.…”