Exploring the Challenges of Adopting Smart Farming in The Agriculture Sector Among Smallholders in Malaysia

Abstract

Agriculture 4.0 or commonly known as smart farming technology is highly potential to be adopted to significantly increase farm productivity. However, it has not been widely used by many smallholder farmers in Peninsular Malaysia. A study was conducted to identify the challenges in implementing smart farming technologies involving twelve participants. From this study, it is revealed that high initial investment cost was a major concern among the smallholders to adopt the technologies as they find it financially burdening to do so. Secondly, poor connectivity and infrastructure causing difficulties to have access on vital information and services lead to inaccurate allocation which affects crop yields. Third, many participants stated that additional operational cost and limited technical skill hampered their intention to operate and maintain smart farming tools. Last but not least, the agricultural community's poor collaboration and knowledge sharing inhibit the spread of important knowledge regarding smart farming technologies among the farmers. To maximize profits and reduce expenses for smallholder farmers in Peninsular Malaysia, these issues must be resolved.