From Awareness to Acceptance: Socio-Economic, Cultural, and Informational Drivers of Technology Uptake in Small-Scale Agriculture
Keywords:
Appropriate Technology; Agriculture; Technology Adoption; Smallholder Farmers; Developing Countries.
Abstract
Purpose: This study explores factors influencing the adoption of appropriate technology among smallholder farmers in developing countries. It aims to understand how socio-economic, cultural, and informational elements impact farmers' technology adoption decisions and to develop strategies that enhance the use of these technologies to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Research Design and Methodology: A qualitative literature review was conducted, synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed journals and empirical case studies. The review focuses on socio-economic factors such as income, education, and credit access, alongside cultural and informational influences. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes, informed by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).
Findings and Discussion: Higher income, education, and access to financial resources are crucial for adopting new technologies. Technologies compatible with traditional practices are more accepted, while effective extension services and social networks are vital for information dissemination. The findings suggest the necessity of financial support, educational programs, and culturally sensitive approaches to enhance technology adoption.
Implications: The study emphasizes the need for targeted financial support, educational outreach, and culturally appropriate strategies to promote technology adoption. Policies should focus on improving financial inclusion, educational efforts, and infrastructure development to facilitate technology use, thereby boosting agricultural productivity and resilience in developing regions
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Abay, K. A., Berhane, G., Taffesse, A. S., Abay, K., & Koru, B. (2019). Estimating input complementarities with unobserved heterogeneity: Evidence from Ethiopia. Journal of Development Economics, 141, 102373.
Adeoti, A. I. (2002). Factors influencing irrigation technology adoption and its impact on household income and farm output: Evidence from South-Western Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 5(1), 13-23.
Alene, A. D., & Manyong, V. M. (2007). The effects of education on agricultural productivity under traditional and improved technology in northern Nigeria: An endogenous switching regression analysis. Empirical Economics, 32(1), 141-159.
Anderson, J. R., & Feder, G. (2007). Agricultural extension. In R. Evenson & P. Pingali (Eds.), Handbook of Agricultural Economics (Vol. 3, pp. 2343-2378). Elsevier.
Ayim, C. (2020). ICT innovations in African agriculture: Empowering farmers through mobile technology. Journal of Agricultural and Food Information, 21(2), 130-145.
Bandiera, O., & Rasul, I. (2006). Social networks and technology adoption in northern Mozambique. The Economic Journal, 116(514), 869-902.
Beaman, L., & Dillon, A. (2018). Diffusion of agricultural information within social networks: Evidence on gender inequalities from Mali. Journal of Development Economics, 133, 147-161.
Binswanger-Mkhize, H. P. (2012). India 1960–2010: Structural changes, the rural nonfarm sector, and the prospects for agriculture. Stanford Center for International Development Working Paper.
Bohn, A., & Byerlee, D. (1993). The adoption of agricultural technology: A guide for survey design. Economic Development Institute of the World Bank.
Christinck, A., Diarra, M., & Horneber, G. (2018). Innovations in seed systems: Lessons from the literature and case studies from sub-Saharan Africa. Global Food Security, 18, 59-71.
Diao, X., Silver, J., & Takeshima, H. (2016). Agricultural mechanization and agricultural transformation. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01537. International Food Policy Research Institute.
Duncombe, R. (2016). Mobile phones for agricultural and rural development: A literature review and suggestions for future research. European Journal of Development Research, 28(2), 213-235.
Fabregas, R., Kremer, M., & Schilbach, F. (2019). Realizing the potential of digital agricultural extension. AEA Papers and Proceedings, 109, 405-409.
Feder, G., Just, R. E., & Zilberman, D. (1985). Adoption of agricultural innovations in developing countries: A survey. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 33(2), 255-298.
Kassam, A., Friedrich, T., Shaxson, F., & Pretty, J. (2009). The spread of conservation agriculture: Justification, sustainability and uptake. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 7(4), 292-320.
Kumar, M. (2009). Drip irrigation: Efficiency and adoption in Indian agriculture. Water Resources Management, 23(4), 879-892.
Langyintuo, A. S., Mungoma, C., Mwangi, W., Diallo, A. O., MacRobert, J., Dixon, J., & Banziger, M. (2008). An analysis of the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: CIMMYT.
McCarthy, J. J., Canziani, O. F., Leary, N. A., Dokken, D. J., & White, K. S. (Eds.). (2011). Climate change 2001: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability: Contribution of Working Group II to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
Morris, M. L., Kelly, V. A., Kopicki, R. J., & Byerlee, D. (2007). Fertilizer use in African agriculture: Lessons learned and good practice guidelines. The World Bank.
Moyo, S., & Salami, A. (2011). Agriculture and food security in Africa: Current and emerging issues. African Development Bank Working Paper Series.
Nakasone, E., & Torero, M. (2016). A text message away: ICTs as a tool to improve food security. Agricultural Economics, 47(S1), 49-59.
Narayanamoorthy, A. (2004). Drip irrigation in India: Can it solve water scarcity? Water Policy, 6(2), 117-130.
Ogada, M. J., Mwabu, G., & Muchai, D. (2014). Farm technology adoption in Kenya: A simultaneous estimation of technology choice and land productivity. Agricultural Systems, 123, 64-72.
Parvan, A. (2011). Agricultural technology adoption: Issues for consideration when scaling-up. Agricultural Development Economics Division, FAO.
Patil, V. C. (2008). Use of mobile technology for improving agricultural productivity. Journal of Agricultural Extension Management, 9(1), 27-32.
Peshin, R., Bandral, R. S., & Zhang, W. (2009). Integrated pest management: A global overview of history, programs, and adoption. In R. Peshin & A. K. Dhawan (Eds.), Integrated Pest Management: Innovation-Development Process (pp. 1-49). Springer.
Pretty, J., & Bharucha, Z. P. (2015). Integrated pest management for sustainable intensification of agriculture in Asia and Africa. Insects, 6(1), 152-182.
Rashid, M. H., Yunus, M., & Mustafi, B. A. (2003). Adoption of integrated pest management technologies: A case study in Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(1), 51-55.
Rivera, W. M., & Qamar, M. K. (2003). Agricultural extension, rural development and the food security challenge. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Roy, A. (2020). The role of appropriate technology in agriculture: A review. Journal of Rural Studies, 74, 85-98.
Schumacher, E. F. (1973). Small is beautiful: Economics as if people mattered. Blond & Briggs.
Shah, M. H., Bhatt, A., & Shah, A. (2014). Role of microfinance in agricultural development in India. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 3(5), 48-56.
Spielman, D. J., Byerlee, D., Alemu, D., & Kelemework, D. (2010). Policies to promote cereal intensification in Ethiopia: The search for appropriate public and private sector roles. Food Policy, 35(3), 185-194.
Tesfaye, K., Gbegbelegbe, S., Cairns, J. E., Shiferaw, B., Prasanna, B. M., Worku, M., & Abate, T. (2015). Maize in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and opportunities for sustainable production. Journal of Agricultural Science, 7(3), 69-80.
Ugochukwu, A. (2018). Socio-economic conditions and technology adoption in agriculture: A review of the literature. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(18), 917-927.
Wrzecińska, B. (2023). Emerging digitization technologies in agriculture: A review of their potential and limitations. Agricultural Systems, 195, 103275.
Adeoti, A. I. (2002). Factors influencing irrigation technology adoption and its impact on household income and farm output: Evidence from South-Western Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, 5(1), 13-23.
Alene, A. D., & Manyong, V. M. (2007). The effects of education on agricultural productivity under traditional and improved technology in northern Nigeria: An endogenous switching regression analysis. Empirical Economics, 32(1), 141-159.
Anderson, J. R., & Feder, G. (2007). Agricultural extension. In R. Evenson & P. Pingali (Eds.), Handbook of Agricultural Economics (Vol. 3, pp. 2343-2378). Elsevier.
Ayim, C. (2020). ICT innovations in African agriculture: Empowering farmers through mobile technology. Journal of Agricultural and Food Information, 21(2), 130-145.
Bandiera, O., & Rasul, I. (2006). Social networks and technology adoption in northern Mozambique. The Economic Journal, 116(514), 869-902.
Beaman, L., & Dillon, A. (2018). Diffusion of agricultural information within social networks: Evidence on gender inequalities from Mali. Journal of Development Economics, 133, 147-161.
Binswanger-Mkhize, H. P. (2012). India 1960–2010: Structural changes, the rural nonfarm sector, and the prospects for agriculture. Stanford Center for International Development Working Paper.
Bohn, A., & Byerlee, D. (1993). The adoption of agricultural technology: A guide for survey design. Economic Development Institute of the World Bank.
Christinck, A., Diarra, M., & Horneber, G. (2018). Innovations in seed systems: Lessons from the literature and case studies from sub-Saharan Africa. Global Food Security, 18, 59-71.
Diao, X., Silver, J., & Takeshima, H. (2016). Agricultural mechanization and agricultural transformation. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01537. International Food Policy Research Institute.
Duncombe, R. (2016). Mobile phones for agricultural and rural development: A literature review and suggestions for future research. European Journal of Development Research, 28(2), 213-235.
Fabregas, R., Kremer, M., & Schilbach, F. (2019). Realizing the potential of digital agricultural extension. AEA Papers and Proceedings, 109, 405-409.
Feder, G., Just, R. E., & Zilberman, D. (1985). Adoption of agricultural innovations in developing countries: A survey. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 33(2), 255-298.
Kassam, A., Friedrich, T., Shaxson, F., & Pretty, J. (2009). The spread of conservation agriculture: Justification, sustainability and uptake. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 7(4), 292-320.
Kumar, M. (2009). Drip irrigation: Efficiency and adoption in Indian agriculture. Water Resources Management, 23(4), 879-892.
Langyintuo, A. S., Mungoma, C., Mwangi, W., Diallo, A. O., MacRobert, J., Dixon, J., & Banziger, M. (2008). An analysis of the bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: CIMMYT.
McCarthy, J. J., Canziani, O. F., Leary, N. A., Dokken, D. J., & White, K. S. (Eds.). (2011). Climate change 2001: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability: Contribution of Working Group II to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press.
Morris, M. L., Kelly, V. A., Kopicki, R. J., & Byerlee, D. (2007). Fertilizer use in African agriculture: Lessons learned and good practice guidelines. The World Bank.
Moyo, S., & Salami, A. (2011). Agriculture and food security in Africa: Current and emerging issues. African Development Bank Working Paper Series.
Nakasone, E., & Torero, M. (2016). A text message away: ICTs as a tool to improve food security. Agricultural Economics, 47(S1), 49-59.
Narayanamoorthy, A. (2004). Drip irrigation in India: Can it solve water scarcity? Water Policy, 6(2), 117-130.
Ogada, M. J., Mwabu, G., & Muchai, D. (2014). Farm technology adoption in Kenya: A simultaneous estimation of technology choice and land productivity. Agricultural Systems, 123, 64-72.
Parvan, A. (2011). Agricultural technology adoption: Issues for consideration when scaling-up. Agricultural Development Economics Division, FAO.
Patil, V. C. (2008). Use of mobile technology for improving agricultural productivity. Journal of Agricultural Extension Management, 9(1), 27-32.
Peshin, R., Bandral, R. S., & Zhang, W. (2009). Integrated pest management: A global overview of history, programs, and adoption. In R. Peshin & A. K. Dhawan (Eds.), Integrated Pest Management: Innovation-Development Process (pp. 1-49). Springer.
Pretty, J., & Bharucha, Z. P. (2015). Integrated pest management for sustainable intensification of agriculture in Asia and Africa. Insects, 6(1), 152-182.
Rashid, M. H., Yunus, M., & Mustafi, B. A. (2003). Adoption of integrated pest management technologies: A case study in Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(1), 51-55.
Rivera, W. M., & Qamar, M. K. (2003). Agricultural extension, rural development and the food security challenge. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Roy, A. (2020). The role of appropriate technology in agriculture: A review. Journal of Rural Studies, 74, 85-98.
Schumacher, E. F. (1973). Small is beautiful: Economics as if people mattered. Blond & Briggs.
Shah, M. H., Bhatt, A., & Shah, A. (2014). Role of microfinance in agricultural development in India. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 3(5), 48-56.
Spielman, D. J., Byerlee, D., Alemu, D., & Kelemework, D. (2010). Policies to promote cereal intensification in Ethiopia: The search for appropriate public and private sector roles. Food Policy, 35(3), 185-194.
Tesfaye, K., Gbegbelegbe, S., Cairns, J. E., Shiferaw, B., Prasanna, B. M., Worku, M., & Abate, T. (2015). Maize in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and opportunities for sustainable production. Journal of Agricultural Science, 7(3), 69-80.
Ugochukwu, A. (2018). Socio-economic conditions and technology adoption in agriculture: A review of the literature. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 13(18), 917-927.
Wrzecińska, B. (2023). Emerging digitization technologies in agriculture: A review of their potential and limitations. Agricultural Systems, 195, 103275.
Published
2025-10-10
How to Cite
Kurniawaty, K., Rahmatia, M., Ansar, A., & Farida, U. (2025). From Awareness to Acceptance: Socio-Economic, Cultural, and Informational Drivers of Technology Uptake in Small-Scale Agriculture. Point of View Research Economic Development, 6(1), 33 - 42. Retrieved from http://www.journal.accountingpointofview.id/index.php/POVRED/article/view/384
Issue
Section
Articles
