Determinants of Iot Technology Adoption in Rice Farming: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in rice farming represents a transformative approach to modern agriculture, offering significant potential to enhance productivity, optimize resource use, and enable precision farming. Despite the evident benefits, the adoption of IoT technologies among rice farmers remains limited, particularly in developing regions where financial constraints, infrastructural challenges, and limited technical knowledge prevail. This study aims to explore the determinants influencing the adoption of IoT technologies in rice farming, with a focus on key variables such as farm income, yield, working hours, and access to resources. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was
conducted among 150 rice farmers in Peninsular Malaysia, using stratified random sampling to ensure representativeness across different socioeconomic and demographic groups. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression to assess the relative influence of various factors
on the likelihood of IoT adoption. The findings reveal that farm income negatively influences IoT adoption, suggesting that wealthier farmers may perceive less need for technological innovation due to their reliance on established traditional practices. Conversely, higher farm
yields and extended working hours are positively associated with IoT adoption, indicating that productivity-driven and labor-intensive farming practices motivate farmers to embrace IoT technologies. Additionally, access to credit and the frequency of extension visits emerged as
significant predictors of IoT adoption, underscoring the importance of financial support and institutional engagement in promoting technological uptake. However, factors such as age, education, and land ownership were found to have minimal impact on IoT adoption decisions. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the determinants of IoT adoption in rice farming and offers practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the adoption of IoT technologies. By addressing the identified barriers and leveraging the significant predictors, it is possible to foster the widespread adoption of IoT technologies, ultimately improving the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of rice farming.