Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model to understand farmer’s readiness: Implementation of precision agriculture based on digital IoT monitoring apps in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This research investigates the readiness of farmers in West Java to adopt IoT monitoring applications through the lens of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The digital transformation has introduced precision agriculture, an advanced technology-based approach that enhances the monitoring of crop and farmer needs. Smart farming leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor technology to optimize complex agricultural systems, thereby increasing productivity while mitigating environmental impact. Utilizing soil and weather sensors to measure temperature, nutrients, and humidity, the study explores factors such as performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, personal innovativeness, habit, behavioral intention, and use behavior that will influence technology adoption within diverse farming communities. A deeper exploration through the lens of the UTAUT Model reveals that West Javan Indonesian farmers are prepared to utilize the monitoring apps. The factors that affect the Use Behavior (UB) of the farmers consist of their internal or personal characteristics, Habit (H) and Personal Innovativeness (PI), and the external factors that correlate with the app developer’s performance are Facilitating Condition (FC) and Performance Expectancy (PE). Habits from farmers for data recording and the personal innovativeness will increase the intention to use IoT monitoring apps.