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A First View on the Competencies and Training Needs of Farmers Working with and Researchers Working on Precision Agriculture Technologies

Author

Listed:
  • Anastasios Michailidis

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Chrysanthi Charatsari

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Thomas Bournaris

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Efstratios Loizou

    (Department of Regional and Cross Border Development, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece)

  • Aikaterini Paltaki

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Dimitra Lazaridou

    (Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, Agricultural University of Athens, 36100 Karpenisi, Greece)

  • Evagelos D. Lioutas

    (Department of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University, 60100 Katerini, Greece)

Abstract

The penetration of precision agriculture technologies in agrifood systems generates the need for efficient upskilling programs targeted at farmers and other actors. A critical first step in this direction is to uncover the training needs of the actors involved in precision agriculture ecosystems. The present study aimed to identify and assess gaps in competencies related to precision agriculture technologies of Greek livestock farmers and researchers specialized in this field. For farmers, we followed a partially mixed research design. To uncover researchers’ training needs, we chose a qualitative-dominant mixed approach. The results revealed that farmers lack competencies concerning the exploitation of precision agriculture technologies. Depending on their area of expertise, researchers have needs associated with predicting how research affects the future of farming and understanding how precision agriculture artifacts interplay with socio-environmental and economic factors. Despite the limited generalizability of the findings, which represent a limitation associated with the reliance of data on two small sample sizes, our results indicate that, beyond technology-related competencies, it is essential to enhance the capacity of producers and researchers to foresight and shape potential (digital) futures.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasios Michailidis & Chrysanthi Charatsari & Thomas Bournaris & Efstratios Loizou & Aikaterini Paltaki & Dimitra Lazaridou & Evagelos D. Lioutas, 2024. "A First View on the Competencies and Training Needs of Farmers Working with and Researchers Working on Precision Agriculture Technologies," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:1:p:99-:d:1313305
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. M. B. M. Karunathilake & Anh Tuan Le & Seong Heo & Yong Suk Chung & Sheikh Mansoor, 2023. "The Path to Smart Farming: Innovations and Opportunities in Precision Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-26, August.
    2. Nancy Leech & Anthony Onwuegbuzie, 2009. "A typology of mixed methods research designs," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 265-275, March.
    3. Nametshego Gumbi & Lucas Gumbi & Hossana Twinomurinzi, 2023. "Towards Sustainable Digital Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Édson Luis Bolfe & Lúcio André de Castro Jorge & Ieda Del’Arco Sanches & Ariovaldo Luchiari Júnior & Cinthia Cabral da Costa & Daniel de Castro Victoria & Ricardo Yassushi Inamasu & Célia Regina Grego, 2020. "Precision and Digital Agriculture: Adoption of Technologies and Perception of Brazilian Farmers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Emily Duncan & Alesandros Glaros & Dennis Z. Ross & Eric Nost, 2021. "New but for whom? Discourses of innovation in precision agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 1181-1199, December.
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