It highlights that technology adoption is a continuous and iterative process influenced by various factors and requires customized support policies to enhance it. Credit: Tokyo Institute of Technology
Rising populations, rising incomes and changing dietary preferences are increasing demand for livestock products globally, highlighting the need for smart livestock farming technologies.
Smart livestock technologies such as automated milking systems, precision feeding systems and health monitoring devices are necessary to ensure food security while reducing environmental impact and ensuring animal welfare. However, to fully realise the potential of these technologies, it is important to understand the adoption process by farmers.
In a study published in the scientific journal Technological Forecasting & Social Change, a research team led by Associate Professor Takumi Ohashi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology revealed the dynamic aspects of the adoption of smart livestock technologies in Japan.
“Despite advances, smart livestock technologies have not been fully adopted by farmers in Japan. This discrepancy highlights the need to identify what motivates or discourages farmers in Japan from using smart livestock technologies,” Ohashi explains.
To explore the specific reasons for farmers’ slow adoption of smart livestock technologies, the researchers interviewed 10 experts in the cattle, pig, and chicken industries, including researchers, sales representatives, and technology developers who work closely with farmers in Japan to develop and implement smart technologies.
They were asked to give their views on 20 factors influencing the adoption of smart livestock technologies. The factors were identified through a scoping review and covered various aspects such as farmers’ background, knowledge about smart technologies, willingness to try new products, views on the benefits and ease of use of the technologies, financial resources and farming practices.
The researchers then asked additional questions to understand the motivations, barriers and external factors influencing farmers’ decisions to adopt these technologies.
The researchers found that the close-knit nature of small-scale farming communities in Japan has a significant influence on livestock farmers’ decision-making, with farmers being strongly influenced by the opinions and experiences of trusted community members.
When technology vendors and fellow farmers in the community share their positive experiences with smart technologies, other farmers are more likely to adopt these technologies. Furthermore, farmers’ opinions about smart technologies are expected to change based on their personal experiences.
The study revealed a generational divide among family farms, with younger farmers with more progressive views being more open to adopting new technologies than older, more conservative views.
“The adoption of smart livestock technologies is a complex, step-by-step process, and farmers need to go through various stages rather than making a single decision. Each stage involved in this process is influenced by different factors at the farm, socio-technical and landscape levels, such as government policies and animal welfare. Unraveling this layered process provides deeper insights into the challenges and complexities farmers face when adopting new technologies,” says Ohashi.
The researchers recommend three ways to promote the adoption of smart technologies in Japan. First, they suggest that policies be developed to make it easier for farmers to adopt smart technologies. Second, they believe that technology vendors should help farmers understand the benefits of smart technologies and encourage them to share their good experiences with their peers.
Finally, they suggest providing farmers with special training to show them how smart technology can make their jobs easier and more efficient.
Further information: Takumi Ohashi et al., “From conservatism to innovation: A continuous and iterative process of smart livestock technology adoption in small farm systems in Japan.” Technology Forecasting and Social Change (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123692
Courtesy of Tokyo Institute of Technology
Source: Elucidating the process of smart livestock technology adoption by farmers in Japan (September 23, 2024) Retrieved September 23, 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-09-elucidating-smart-livestock-technology-farmers.html
This document is subject to copyright. It may not be reproduced without written permission, except for fair dealing for the purposes of personal study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
