Perception and factors affecting farmers’ adoption of smart agriculture in Vietnam: Implications for extension strategies

Abstract

This research is designed to look at vegetable and crop farmers’ perception of smart agriculture and factors that influence farmers’ decision to adopt smart agriculture in Vietnam. The questionnaire was developed to randomly survey 211 vegetable and crop households from a total population of 477 vegetable and crop farming households. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that vegetable and crop farmers who frequently communicate with agronomists/researchers were in a better position to adopt smart agricultural technologies including soil georeferenced sampling, auto pilot spraying, management software and application of variable-rate fertilizers and correctives than those who did not communicate with these people. Vegetable and crop farmers who often communicate with extension workers tend to be users of auto pilot spraying and application of variable-rate fertilizers and correctives. Younger vegetable and crop farmers who had higher levels of education are in a greater position to adopt soil georeferenced sampling, auto pilot spraying, management software and application of variable-rate fertilizers and correctives than older vegetable and crop farmers who had lower levels of education. Vegetable and crop farmers who engaged in rural credit/training programmes are better soil georeferenced sampling users than those who did not engage in these development programmes. Developing and promoting a new agricultural extension model that bases on high-quality farmer and scientist interaction and considers demographic and socio-economic characteristics of farmers is a suitable agricultural education and extension strategy, which can facilitate farmers’ adoption of smart agriculture.