Addressing the challenges and leveraging the opportunities of automation and robotics technologies adoption in agriculture: The case of Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This paper seeks to advance understanding of the barriers that constrain and the drivers that promote the adoption of automation and robotics in agriculture. The paper focuses on Ontario, Canada, as the case study. The choice of the province is informed by the fact that it is generally considered one of Canada's leading agriculture powerhouses. The paper employed a mixed-methods approach consisting of survey questionnaires and in-depth focus group discussions. The article sheds light on the complex and context-specific factors determining farmers’ adoption of automation and robotics technology. Principally, adopters and non-adopters of automation robotics technology agree that government has a critical role in accelerating the adoption of automation and robotics technology. More importantly, the paper spells out the various facets of that role and the contexts within which they can be most effective and impactful. The discussion explores the significance of the results in relation to the relevant extant literature and highlights the key implications of our findings for future policy and practice. It also offers some solutions in the form of policy recommendations and suggested action steps for removing barriers and exploiting opportunities associated with adopting technology. While empirically focusing on Ontario, the findings and analysis have implications for all of Canada and other industrialized countries .