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German Farmers’ Attitudes on Adopting Autonomous Field Robots: An Empirical Survey

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  • Friedrich Rübcke von Veltheim

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

  • Heinke Heise

    (Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Platz der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073 Göttingen, Germany)

Abstract

Agricultural production methods in Europe are increasingly subject to public criticism from which many farmers suffer. This applies, among other areas, to the widespread use of pesticides. Autonomous field robots (AFR), as the next stage of agricultural automation, have the potential to farm more intensively and, at the same time, in a more environmentally friendly way. However, a certain skepticism towards autonomous systems is suspected among farmers. Whether farmers adopt a technology depends largely on their uncertainty about the consequences of its use and the resulting attitude on the adoption. In order to quantify the attitude on adopting AFR in Germany and to identify possible group differences within the population, 490 German farmers were surveyed using an online questionnaire, which is based on an extended version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). In the subsequent cluster analysis, the statements inquiring the intention to use AFR served as cluster-forming variables. As a result, three groups (“open-minded AFR supporters”, “convinced AFR adopters”, “reserved AFR interested”) could be identified according to their response behavior. Despite existing group differences, an overall attitude in favor of autonomous field robots was observed. The results complement the existing research with a further empirical study and provide interesting starting points for further analysis, field robot manufacturers, and political decision makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Friedrich Rübcke von Veltheim & Heinke Heise, 2021. "German Farmers’ Attitudes on Adopting Autonomous Field Robots: An Empirical Survey," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:3:p:216-:d:511728
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    2. Sören Mohrmann & Verena Otter, 2022. "Categorisation of Biogas Plant Operators in Germany with Regards to Their Intention to Use Straw Pellets as Innovative and Sustainable Substrate Alternative," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-26, December.
    3. Spykman, Olivia & Emberger-Klein, Agnes & Gabriel, Andreas & Gandorfer, Markus, 2021. "Society’s perspective of automation in crop and dairy production," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 313865, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Mohrmann, Sören & Schaper, Christian & Otter, Verena, 2022. "Strohpellets als innovatives Alternativsubstrat in der Biogasproduktion: Ergebnisse einer empirischen Analyse," 62nd Annual Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, September 7-9, 2022 329607, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA).
    5. Dongkai Lin & Bingsheng Fu & Kexiao Xie & Wanhe Zheng & Linjie Chang & Jinke Lin, 2023. "Research on the Improvement of Digital Literacy for Moderately Scaled Tea Farmers under the Background of Digital Intelligence Empowerment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-26, September.
    6. Osrof, Hazem Yusuf & Tan, Cheng Ling & Angappa, Gunasekaran & Yeo, Sook Fern & Tan, Kim Hua, 2023. "Adoption of smart farming technologies in field operations: A systematic review and future research agenda," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).

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