Perceptions and Experiences of Precision Agricultural Technology Adopters: A Multi-Case Study of Farmers in Taiwan and the USA

Global agriculture faces numerous challenges, including climate change, poverty, an aging workforce, and resource depletion, which threaten food security. Precision Agricultural Technologies (PATs) can help in addressing these challenges. However, despite their benefits, the adoption of PATs varies significantly across regions, with notable gaps in understanding the factors influencing adoption rates, particularly in diverse cultural contexts. Previous studies have explored PAT adoption, focusing on drivers and barriers, but there is a lack of in-depth analysis of how cultural differences impact adoption decisions and outcomes. This qualitative case study fills this gap by examining the perceptions and experiences of PAT adopters in Taiwan and the USA through interviews with 21 adopters. The findings reveal that PAT adopters experienced improved efficiency, wealth, sustainability, and well-being in both countries. In addition, the study found that factors influencing PAT adoption include perceived relative advantage, dealer support, and ease of use of PATs. However, challenges such as high initial costs and limited data expertise were identified. The study recommends that policymakers and technology providers address these challenges and conduct further research on the Return on Investment (ROI) for PAT adopters to facilitate more effective resource allocation. By understanding these dynamics, stakeholders can help farmers use PATs to improve agricultural resilience and sustainability.