Adoption of precision farming tools: A context-related analysis. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vecchio, Yari; De Rosa, Marcello; Adinolfi, Felice; Bartoli, Luca; Masi, Margherita
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 94(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Precision agriculture -- AKAP sequence -- Entrepreneurial profile -- Complexity; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104481
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Highlights: Precision farming tools are gaining ground in recent policies for sustainable agriculture. Adoption of precision farming tools is constrained by various context-related elements of complexity. The AKAP model provide good tools for evaluating this complexity. AKAP model lets to describe different groups of farms with different propensity to adopt precision farming tools. Abstract: This paper deals with precision farming tools (PFTs), a way of farming which relies on specialized equipment, software and information technologies services, whose importance is underlined in recent documents of the European Union. Precision farming is an integrated and sustainable farm management system making use of modern technologies to increase farm's profitability, by reducing environmental impact. In this paper we explore the complex mechanisms that affect PFT's adoption by Italian farmers. More precisely, we try to analyse the context-related factors affecting adoption of PFTs in the Italian farms. Little research has been carried out in Italy on this topic, therefore our paper tries to fill a gap in literature. In order to investigate the process of technology adoption related to precision agriculture, a questionnaire was submitted to a sample of Italian farms. The questionnaire has been structured in order to apply the AKAP (Awareness, Knowledge, Adoption, Product) sequence. Our analysis underlines that context-related factors are fundamental dimensions to be explored in order to specify uptake of PFTs. Therefore, the paper has relevant policy implications, within the context of a new participatory approach to agricultural innovation characterized by bottom-up processes boosted by farmers, which has informed the recent policies of agricultural innovation at the EU level.