A Model for the Adoption of IoT-Based Precision Agriculture Technology to Enhance Productivity and Sustainability Among Smallholder Farmers

Niken Hermawan; Rahmat Safitri; Anisa Maharani

Authors

Niken Hermawan Universitas Gadjah Mada Author
Rahmat Safitri Universitas Gadjah Mada Author
Anisa Maharani Universitas Brawijaya, Malang Author

Keywords:

Iot-Based Precision Agriculture, Smallholder Farmers, Technology Adoption, Digital Agriculture, Sustainability, Grounded Theory

Abstract

This study aims to formulate a model for the adoption of IoT-based precision agriculture technology to enhance productivity and sustainability among smallholder farmers. The study responds to the limited understanding of how smallholder farmers interpret, evaluate, and adopt digital agricultural technologies within real farming contexts. A qualitative approach with a constructivist grounded theory design was used to explore farmers’ experiences and adoption processes. Data were collected from smallholder farmers, agricultural extension officers, farmer group leaders, AgTech actors, and supporting institutions through semi-structured interviews, field observations, documentation, and triangulation. The findings reveal seven main categories influencing IoT adoption: individual readiness, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust in data, social support, facilitating conditions, and sustainability alignment. Farmers understood IoT less as a technical system and more as a practical tool for reducing uncertainty, improving irrigation and fertilization decisions, managing input costs, and sustaining farm productivity. Trust in digital data emerged through repeated field validation, peer confirmation, and extension support. Farmer groups functioned as social infrastructure that enabled collective learning, technology demonstration, and shared risk reduction. The study contributes to technology adoption literature by integrating technology acceptance theory, diffusion of innovation theory, and agricultural innovation systems. The findings imply that IoT adoption strategies should prioritize affordability, simplicity, maintenance support, rural connectivity, extension capacity, and group-based implementation. Future research should test the proposed model quantitatively across different commodities and regions.

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