IoT Technology Adoption in Agriculture: Investigating the Barriers in Bangladesh Conditions

Abstract

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into the agriculture sector has the potential to transform farming practices and enhance agricultural productivity. Nowadays, the widespread adoption of IoT in agriculture is absent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers to the adoption of IoT technology in the agricultural sector. Through literature review, KII, and expert opinions, 25 potential barriers were identified, and out of these, 11 key barriers were selected for further analysis. Besides that, 15 FGDs with farmers and 150 individual interviews were conducted. The Delphi method was employed for data collection, and the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique was used to evaluate these barriers. The identified barriers include high investment requirements, lack of skills and aptitude, resistance to change, limited awareness among policymakers, inadequate digital communication infrastructure, absence of a regulatory framework, lack of a cohesive digital strategy, insufficient IoT training, gaps in knowledge management and data literacy, irregular maintenance and support, and limited understanding of IoT benefits. The study identifies the key factors by analyzing underlying interrelationships that influence the decision to adopt IoT in agriculture. The analysis revealed that resistance to change has the most significant negative impact on adoption, with a score of 1.13, while IoT training has the least negative impact, with a score of 0.39. The main barriers are high investment costs, a lack of training, and a clear understanding of IoT benefits, which are affecting adoption. These findings highlight the importance of addressing financial constraints, providing education and training, and increasing awareness among stakeholders to overcome key barriers and promote the adoption of IoT solutions for advanced agricultural practices.