Technology readiness of farmers in sarawak: The effect of gender, age, and educational level

Abstract

This research examined the association between technology readiness of farmers and their behavioral intention to adopt a mobile agricultural finance app called the e-AgriFinance app, as well as if gender, age, and educational level affect their technology readiness and behavioral intention. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect primary data from 334 farmers cultivating oil palm, rubber, cocoa, and pepper in Sarawak. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and independent t-tests. The study revealed that the motivator dimension of technology readiness relates positively with behavioral intention while the inhibitor dimension relates negatively with behavioral intention. Female farmers were found to have higher mean scores in the motivator dimension and behavioral intention than male farmers. Farmers who are older and received lower education were found to have lower mean scores in the motivator dimension than those younger and have higher education. The findings provided alternative explanation of the role of demographic variables – gender, age, and educational level in the technology adoption literature in the context of farmers. For practice, the findings provided the Sarawak government and other stakeholders with insights about promoting digital inclusion among farmers.