Adoption and future perspective of precision farming in Germany: results of several surveys among different agricultural target groups

The adoption of Precision Farming (PF) in Germany has been studied by several mail surveys, telephone interviews and personal interviews with farmers, advisors, teachers and representatives of the PF industry. The intention was to monitor how PF techniques have entered the German market over the years and geographic location. The farmers were interviewed about their experiences with PF technology and their attitudes and barriers towards it. Those farmers who had not yet used PF technologies were asked for the reason and on which condition they would probably start with PF. Although the number of PF users slightly increased between 2001 and 2006, the results of all the surveys indicate that there are still various barriers regarding PF. Those farmers who had already used some PF technologies struggled with many problems at the beginning, but after overcoming these problems, they were generally content with the introduction of PF technologies. However, the majority of the interviewed farmers hesitated to introduce PF techniques mainly because of the high costs of the technology. Most of the interviewed teachers at vocational and technical schools stated that PF was not yet a subject in courses. The interviews with the advisors show that most of them do not offer any advisory service in the field of PF. Finally, the results of the interviews with representatives of the agricultural engineering industry confirm the statements of the other surveys.     

Innovation mechanisms in German precision farming

In the precision farming (PF) literature on innovation activities, it becomes apparent that only individual aspects of the entire PF innovation process chain are considered, namely, the knowledge transfer and the adoption of PF applications. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the innovation mechanisms in the entire PF innovation process chain. The paper identifies potentials, barriers and challenges for PF innovations in Germany and the respective agricultural subsector plant production. An in-depth understanding of innovation mechanisms is required to enhance innovation capabilities, overcome obstacles and bring further innovations to the agricultural field. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods was applied—including interviews, an expert workshop and a Delphi survey—to explore innovation mechanisms and the role of heterogeneous actors. The research is based on the analytical framework of the sectoral innovation system approach. Key results are the identification of barriers in the later stages of the innovation processes (including validation, serial production and adoption), a gap in the knowledge transfer between science and practice, insufficient communication and co-operation between actors and the important influence of political and legal conditions. Furthermore, this study showed that farmers play an important role in the generation of innovations. For example, farmers are not only adopters or demanders but also impulse providers or co-developers. In conclusion, this study moves the PF innovation debate forward not only by providing adoption facts but also by presenting explanations for the complex interactions between actors throughout the innovation process chain.     

Socioeconomic impact of widespread adoption of precision farming and controlled traffic systems in Denmark

In this study we assess the economic profitability of implementing various precision farming (PF) technologies and controlled traffic farming (CTF) on 4 main crops in Denmark. The study provides insight into technological requirements, and identifies related costs and benefits to farmers and the Danish society as a whole. At the farm level, the findings from the study indicate that an implementation of CTF systems may have a significant impact on fuel savings due to a reduced overlap with auto guidance systems and easier movement with tractors and tools in the field. The PF site-specific weed management approach may facilitate large savings in the use of herbicides. At the national level, the results clearly show that the benefits to the Danish economy of adopting this new technology is positive with increased income to farmers and a reduction in fuel consumption and pesticides/herbicides use. The obtained results reflect the long term economic effect of implementing new production methods in Denmark where soil fertility increases over time due to reduced traffic increasing yields. Over all, the Danish GDP is estimated to increase by 34?million?? due to the implementation of PF and CTF on larger farms in Denmark. The results also clearly show that adoption of PF and CTF farming systems will benefit the environment. The agricultural sectors input of environmental harmful inputs are reduced in all scenarios presented in this paper. The adoption of PF and CTF systems should thus be of interest to politicians since it clearly facilitates aims of environmental policies currently under implementation by the Danish government.     

The role of communication and co-operation in the adoption of precision farming

Research on Precision Farming (PF) relates the adoption of PF primarily to economic incentives as well as farm attributes, whereas social factors are commonly ignored. Therefore, the present study analyses the importance of farmers’ communication and co-operation strategies in the adoption of PF and their relation to farm attributes. Forty-nine qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the agricultural sector were conducted. The survey was based in Germany where most interviews took place and reflected with findings from the Czech Republic, Denmark and Greece. It is revealed that farms differ in their communication strategies depending on farm size. Joint investment in PF was only reported from some regions. It can be assumed that agricultural contractors will be major driving forces behind the adoption of PF over the next 10 years, especially in areas with smaller-sized farms. Agricultural data processing by service providers is seen as a common issue. Concerns regarding potential data misuse, over-regulation and software compatibility were raised.     

Precision farming uses typology in arable crop-oriented farms in northern France

The adoption of precision farming techniques (PFTs) has been widely studied targeting specific PFT or farming systems along with the potential benefits of these PFTs in terms of yield or input use. However, few studies have examined how PFTs are adopted and used at the farm level. In this study a preliminary investigation was made of on-farm PFT uses in the Oise region (northern France). Three main PFTs were identified in the area: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) guidance, section control, and variable rate (VR) application. For each farm, the use of every PFT was defined by the technical characteristics of the equipment, the field operation(s) concerned, the targeted crop(s), the aim of the use, the PFT adoption drivers, and the perceived impacts by the farmers. These different variables were combined into a typology of PFT uses. The results show that most of the farms combined GNSS guidance for all technical operations and section control, whereas VR application was less common. Section control was largely used by farmers for liquid fertilizers and phytochemical spraying. The typology shows three to five types of use for each PFT, which differ in terms of technique adoption drivers, e.g. reducing on-farm work or adaptation to field morphology. According to literature, economic impacts were found to be the most frequent, however farmers seemed unable to quantify them. Social impacts such as reduced work time and fatigue were also frequent and are becoming the main motivation for using PFT on farms studied. Further research is needed to assess the use trajectories of PFT along with the motivations of each PFT use.

     

Bayesian methods for predicting LAI and soil water content

LAI of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soil water content of the topsoil (200 mm) and of the subsoil (500 mm) were considered as state variables of a dynamic soil-crop system. This system was assumed to progress according to a Bayesian probabilistic state space model, in which real values of LAI and soil water content were daily introduced in order to correct the model trajectory and reach better future evolution. The chosen crop model was mini STICS which can reduce the computing and execution times while ensuring the robustness of data processing and estimation. To predict simultaneously state variables and model parameters in this non-linear environment, three techniques were used: extended Kalman filtering (EKF), particle filtering (PF), and variational filtering (VF). The significantly improved performance of the VF method when compared to EKF and PF is demonstrated. The variational filter has a low computational complexity and the convergence speed of states and parameters estimation can be adjusted independently. Detailed case studies demonstrated that the root mean square error of the three estimated states (LAI and soil water content of two soil layers) was smaller and that the convergence of all considered parameters was ensured when using VF. Assimilating measurements in a crop model allows accurate prediction of LAI and soil water content at a local scale. As these biophysical properties are key parameters in the crop-plant system characterization, the system has the potential to be used in precision farming to aid farmers and decision makers in developing strategies for site-specific management of inputs, such as fertilizers and water irrigation.     

Adoption of precision agriculture technologies by German crop farmers

In recent years, precision farming has been receiving more attention from researchers. Precision farming, which provides a holistic system approach, helps farmers to manage the spatial and temporal crop and soil variability within a field in order to increase profitability, optimize yield and quality, and reduce costs. There has been considerable research in farmers’ adoption of precision agriculture technologies. However, most recent studies have considered only a few aspects, whereas in this study a wide range of farm characteristics and farmer demographics are tested to gain insight into the relevant aspects of adoption of precision farming in German crop farming. The results of a logistic regression analysis show that predictors with positive influence on the adoption of precision farming are agricultural contractor services such as an additional farming business, having under 5 years’ experience in crop farming, having between 16 and 20 years’ experience in crop farming, and having more than 500 ha of arable land. However, having a farm of less than 100 ha and producing barley are factors that exert a negative influence on the adoption of precision farming. The results of this study provide manifold starting points for the further proliferation of precision agriculture technologies and future research directions.     

IMPACTS OF TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND BIOPESTICIDES AMONG FARMERS: EVIDENCE FROM HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE,CHINA

Excessive application of mineral fertilizers and synthetic pesticides poses a substantial threat to the soil and water environment and food security.Organic fertilizer and biopesticides have gradually become essential technology for reducing mineral fertilizer and pesticide inputs. In the process,the technical environment is critical for promoting farmer behavior related to the adoption of organic fertilizer and biopesticides. This paper analyzes the influence of the technical environment on far...     

农户的技术创新与农业技术进步

农户的技术创新是农业新技术与农业技术进步的桥梁。农户的技术创新作为一种经济行为，是否采用新技术取决于农户对新技术预期成本和效益的比较。农户技术创新的市场导向决定了农业技术选择倾向于使用替代资木的农业技术，因为这种技术符合我国农业要素察赋的特点。政府的责任是在多方面鼓励农户的技术创新。     

Effects of social network factors on information acquisition and adoption of improved groundnut varieties: the case of Uganda and Kenya

Social networks play a significant role in learning and thus in farmers’ adoption of new agricultural technologies. This study examined the effects of social network factors on information acquisition and adoption of new seed varieties among groundnut farmers in Uganda and Kenya. The data were generated through face-to-face interviews from a random sample of 461 farmers, 232 in Uganda and 229 in Kenya. To assess these effects two alternative econometric models were used: a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit (SUBP) model and a recursive bivariate probit (RBP) model. The statistical evaluation of the SUBP shows that information acquisition and adoption decisions are interrelated while tests for the RBP do not support this latter model. Therefore, the analysis is based on the results obtained from the SUBP. These results reveal that social network factors, particularly weak ties with external support (e.g., researchers, extension agents, etc.), partially influence information acquisition, but do not influence adoption. In Uganda, external support, gender, farm size, and geographic location have an impact on information acquisition. In Kenya, external support and geographic location also have an impact on information acquisition. With regard to adoption, gender, household size, and geographic location play the most important roles for Ugandan farmers, while in Kenya information from external sources, education, and farm size affect adoption choice. The study provides insight on the importance of external weak ties in groundnut farming, and a need to understand regional differences along gender lines while developing agricultural strategies. This study further illustrates the importance of farmer participation in applied technology research and the impact of social interactions among farmers and external agents.     

浙江省农户测土配方施肥技术采纳意愿及其影响因素研究

从我国化肥使用的实际情况出发,根据对浙江省农户的问卷调查结果,分析农户对测土配方施肥技术的采纳现状,并运用Logistic模型对影响农户采纳测土配方施肥技术意愿的因素进行分析。结果表明,农户的学历、家庭收入以及耕地面积对其是否愿意采纳测土配方施肥技术有较为显著的影响。提出增加农业技术培训、给予相关农业补贴等对策建议以促进农户对测土配方施肥技术的采纳。     

契约农业对家庭农场采纳环境友好型技术的影响

  目的  为测土配方施肥技术的推广提供决策依据。  方法  基于全国1 706个种植业家庭农场调查数据，借助Probit模型和倾向得分匹配(PSM)方法实证检验契约农业对家庭农场采纳测土配方施肥技术的影响。  结果  Probit模型结果表明:家庭农场参与契约农业对其采纳测土配方施肥技术具有显著的正向影响，影响系数为0.621；PSM模型结果表明:与未参与契约农业的家庭农场相比，参与契约农业的家庭农场平均处理效应为0.19，技术培训、农场主从事农业规模经营年限、农场主的从业经历、家庭农场具有规范的日常收支记录以及未来扩张意愿对技术采纳也有影响。  结论  契约农业是影响家庭农场采纳测土配方施肥技术的重要因素，政府应进一步加快建立健全契约农业参与机制，支持家庭农场提升资源禀赋水平。图2表3参18     

Spatial econometric analysis of a field-scale site-specific nitrogen fertilizer experiment on wheat (Triticum aestuvum L.) yield and quality

Knowledge of site-specific response may help farmers to tailor their management decisions with the help of precision farming technologies. However, farmers often have only a vague idea of the economic potential for site-specific management of their fields, which is important for investment decisions on precision farming technologies. This study presents an on-farm experimental approach to identify the economic potential of site-specific fertilization strategies at low costs. A strip trial with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) was established with precision farming technologies. Twelve different nitrogen fertilizer rates split in two applications were applied to 30 plots over a total strip length of 1.5 km. Geo-referenced yield was recorded with the harvester. Furthermore, electrical conductivity of the soil was measured and grain quality was surveyed with hand selected samples. With the help of advanced spatial statistical methods, within-field site-specific response was modeled with sufficient accuracy at comparably low costs. Electrical conductivity of the soil, elevation above sea level, and derivates of a digital elevation model were used as covariates to identify a possible economic potential for site-specific fertilization. Yield and protein response was best predicted with spatially adjusted regression models with site-characteristics or their interaction with management variables. Protein content was essential for achieving best economic results. The economic potential for site-specific fertilization strategies for the analyzed field was below 2 €/ha. However, the approach to identify the potential may be transferred to other locations with greater potential for site-specific farming.     

农户绿色防控技术采纳意愿及其影响因素研究——基于湖南省长沙市348个农户的调查数据

为制定适合农户需求的绿色防控技术推广政策,利用微观调查数据,运用Binary Logistic模型,分析影响农户绿色防控技术采纳意愿的关键因素。结果表明:1)76.15%农户对绿色防控技术具有采纳意愿;2)性别、受教育程度、绿色防控技术感知易用性、绿色防控技术感知有用性、邻居的影响、生态环境关注程度是影响农户绿色防控技术采纳意愿的关键因素。据此提出顺利推广绿色防控技术的对策建议:加强适用性较强的绿色防控技术和产品的研发工作,加大对农村带头人的培训,发挥新技术采用示范户的辐射带动作用。     

Perceived importance of precision farming technologies in improving phosphorus and potassium efficiency in cotton production

Site-specific information technologies (IT) provide knowledge about the spatial variability within a field to improve the efficiency of inputs through variable-rate (VR) applications. Identifying factors that influence farmers’ perceptions of the importance of precision farming (PF) technologies in improving the efficiency of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer applications can help to determine why different groups of farmers adopt PF. Knowing these factors can be useful in targeting specific groups of farmers to adopt PF and increase fertilizer efficiency to meet crop needs and reduce P and K losses to the environment. Data were obtained from a 2001 mail survey of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) farmers in six southeastern states in the United States of America. Ordered logit analysis was used to evaluate the level of importance to those who had adopted PF technologies placed on such technologies they had used to improve the efficiency of P and K applications. Results showed that such farmers found soil sampling by management zone or on a grid, and on-the-go sensing most important. Precision farmers who used mapping and remote sensing found PF technologies least important. Older precision farmers who rented larger proportions of their land and used computers for farm management were more likely than other precision farmers to place greater importance on PF technologies in improving the efficiency of P and K applications.     

华北小农户不同规模化组织的生产效率研究

小农户是我国农业生产主体,也是实现我国粮食安全战略的主要贡献力量,因此提高小农户的生产效率对提高我国的粮食生产具有重要的意义。以河北省曲周县小农户向规模化经营转变的几种典型模式(种粮大户、粮食种植专业合作社、高产创建以及一种新型的农民组织模式—大方操作)为对象,比较2012年夏玉米不同组织模式下农业生产因素,包括土壤,施肥,水分,劳动力及现金成本的差异,分析其农业生产效率,探讨不同农户组织方式生产效率差异及其原因。结果表明,不同形式的农户组织在满足农户技术需求和服务需求方面开展的工作存在明显的差异。与分散经营模式相比,向规模化经营转变的农户产量提高了2.9%-15.7%、关键技术平均到位率提高了18-71个百分点、农业劳动生产效率提高了36.8%-103.8%,在资源利用效率(氮肥利用效率和灌溉水利用效率)和资本生产率方面,除种粮大户低于分散经营农户之外,其他三种典型模式均高于分散经营农户,其中,大方操作模式在综合提升小农户各项效率效益方面表现更为突出。研究揭示了农业技术社会化服务体系和规模化经营方式结合更加具备提高农业生产效率的优势。     

Maize Contract Farming Experience in Delta State,Nigeria

Many reviews and evaluations of contract farming and its importance for small-scale farmers in the developing nations have been conducted. While some scholars opined that contractual terms were unfavourable to farmers, others considerd them as being beneficial to them. These contrasting views were not likely to discourage it since it provided encouragement for farmers' involvement in markets. It was therefore worthwhile to investigate previous experiences with the aim of improving on it. This study investigated contract farming entered into by farmers in Delta State of Nigeria and livestock feed companies with the objective of seeking ways to make such contractual agreements beneficial to small-scale farmers. The study utilized convergence of science approach. The study unveiled the constraints experienced by farmers and they included technical and institutional challenges. The technical problem was the planting date, while the institutional problem was the contractual arrangements. It was recommended that all the stakeholders in the contract should converge and negotiate technological adoptions of the improved maize varieties; contract needed to be clearly defined and risks and uncertainties should be parts of the contract; scientific investigations should be carried out to determine the best planting date; and there was need for legislation to particularly protect farmers in contract farming.     

西南地区农户种植保险购买意愿的研究

[目的]研究西南地区陆良县农户种植保险购买意愿的真实情况。[方法]应用国内外相关理论,通过入户访谈、问卷调查的形式了解影响农户购买种植业保险意愿的因素。[结果]研究发现农户的受教育程度、种植业收入占家庭年收入的比重、投保作物收入占家庭种植业收入比率、受灾面积占种植面积比例以及农户对种植业保险的了解程度与农户种植业保险购买意愿成显著相关。[结论]农户种植保险购买意愿与文化程度、投入、面积均有一定正相关关系。