Possibilities of using digital technologies in agriculture in areas with high agrarian fragmentation

Abstract

The Małopolskie and Podkarpackie provinces in Poland are characterized by many small farms with many small, scattered fields. This farm structure is labeled “agrarian fragmentation”. Using digital technologies in such small farm areas is usually a challenge. However, there are several digital technologies that, with minimal financial investment, can yield results in the form of improved resource management and agricultural production processes, as well as data-driven decision-making. The overall objective of this analysis is to determine the limitations of using digital technologies in farms operating in areas with high agrarian fragmentation. In addition, the aim was also to identify the differences in the potential for implementing individual digital solutions depending on farm size and activity type conducted in the surveyed area. A survey was conducted by the Paper and Pen Personal Interview (PAPI) method, in which 389 farmers took part. Research showed that the technologies most commonly used in the study area include applications recognizing plant diseases and applications supporting decision-making. The use of advanced digital tools related to precision agriculture and the automation of crop production was very rare. Farm size, the age of the farmer managing the farm, and the number of farm activities were significant factors that increased the probability of implementing digital technologies. The main barriers to their implementation were a lack of sufficient knowledge and trust. The implementation of digital technologies in small farms requires actions aimed at increasing farmer knowledge. Meanwhile, designing new digital solutions must take the specific regional conditions into account, such as geographical factors or the limited investment capacity of farms.