Why Acceptance of Digital Technologies Varies among Swiss Farmers
Image: Laura Cincera
Acceptance of future digital technologies among farmers depends not only on how open the farmers are to digitalisation, but also primarily on concrete, farm-specific risk-benefit assessments.
Digital technologies in agriculture promise improved productivity, animal welfare and sustainability. Nevertheless, acceptance of these technologies by Swiss family farms remains patchy. Agroscope and ETH researchers examined which factors influenced farmers’ attitudes to and acceptance of two contrasting digital technologies, viz., virtual fencing and autonomous hoeing robots. A survey of 939 Swiss farmers engaged in arable farming and livestock husbandry was conducted 2021.
Pros and cons of digital tools are various
Swiss farmers’ acceptance of virtual fencing and autonomous hoeing robots depends both on age, education and digital competence as well as financial status.
Larger farms and those with higher manpower capacity are more open to virtual fencing, whilst fully autonomous hoeing robots appeal primarily to farmers of higher educational level. Acceptance depends not only on attitudes towards digital technologies in agriculture, however, but also on application-specific needs; hence, a clear benefit-risk assessment and customised support are key.
Leeway for policy actors
The study showed that the acquisition of digital skills, peer-learning platforms and model farms are suitable for increasing trust in digital tools and lowering entry barriers, since one of the main obstacles is the currently low level of digital competence. Training programmes and targeted advanced digital training initiatives could remedy this deficit. Another major obstacle could be overcome by setting up pilot farms and furnishing the testimonies of like-minded people who inspire confidence and offer relatable experiences. Here, there is room for manoeuvre for agricultural policy actors.
Networked farmers perceive fewer barriers
Networks of farmers focusing on digital technologies whose content and exchange formats are tailored to specific tools and agricultural contexts can break down barriers.
An important finding of the study is that a one-size-fits-all strategy does not take the differing needs of the farmers into account. A flexible, technology- and farm-specific approach is what is needed.
Conclusions
- Farmers’ attitudes to the two future digital technologies – virtual fencing and autonomous hoeing robots – are influenced by (younger) age, formal education, an affinity with technology, greater digital competence and secure financial circumstances.
- Acceptance of virtual fencing is influenced by farm size, manpower capacity, the farmers’ attitudes towards digital technologies in agriculture, digital competence, and the perception of risk and benefit.
- Acceptance of autonomous hoeing robots is influenced by farmers’ perceptions, educational level and risk-benefit perception. Farm size and structure are less relevant.
- Acceptance of digital technologies depends not only on a general openness to digitalisation, but also in particular on concrete risk-benefit assessments, which must be undertaken for each individual technology and farm.
Bibliographical reference
From the attitude towards digitalisation in agriculture to the acceptance of future agricultural technologies.
