Progressive Farmers’ Perceptions of Barriers to the Utilization of Precision Agricultural Technologies

Precision agricultural technologies (PATs) are economically efficient and environmentally sound. However, their on-farm utilization by smallholders is still at a low level. Using a sample of 130 volunteer farmers, the current study investigated progressive farmers’ perception of the barriers to adopting and effectively using PATs in Ardabil province, Iran. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an online survey was adopted to avoid close contact. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. A panel of experts validated the questionnaire. The reliability of the research instrument was confirmed in a pilot study on 30 progressive farmers. The results indicated that progressive farmers had moderate knowledge about PATs. The lack of extension courses for farmers concerning the operation of these technologies and the need for high investment costs were regarded as the main barriers to adopting these technologies. Based on factor analysis, four factors, namely information barriers, economic barriers, infrastructural barriers, and lack of access, accounted for 74.23% of the variance in the barriers. The results have implications for policymakers and extension services. Progressive farmers as the early adopters of new technologies and the reference group of other farmers should be trained and encouraged to adopt PATs. Because PATs are costly and knowledge-intensive, providing low-interest loans and credits for buying PATs’ equipment, farmers’ precision agriculture associations for buying and collaboratively using these technologies, as well as extension campaigns, Radio-TV programs, and extension courses to train farmers about PATs are essential for utilizing these technologies