Farmer Adoption of Agricultural Technologies: Factors, Barriers and Policy Perspectives
Keywords:
Agricultural Technologies, Farmer , Farmer Adoption, Adoption Barriers, Agricultural Innovation, Agricultural PolicyAbstract
Agricultural technology adoption is essential for improving farm productivity, profitability, resource-use efficiency, food security, and the sustainability of agricultural systems. However, the adoption of modern technologies remains uneven because farmers face diverse economic, technological, institutional, and socio-cultural conditions. This review examines the major factors influencing farmers’ adoption of agricultural technologies, key barriers restricting adoption, and policy perspectives for promoting wider and sustained technology use. The review identifies education, technical knowledge, farm size, access to credit, extension services, information, secure land tenure, and farmer organizations as important adoption factors. Major barriers include high investment costs, inadequate knowledge and skills, poor infrastructure, limited institutional and market support, and perceived risks associated with technological change. The review emphasizes context-specific policies combining financial assistance, strengthened extension, digital literacy, infrastructure development, and farmer-centred technology development.
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