IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v15y2025i8p841-d1633939.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Farmers’ Acceptance of Water–Fertilizer Integration Technology: Theory and Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Naihui Wang

    (College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shuqi Zhang

    (School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mo Li

    (School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Tianxiao Li

    (School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Yi-Jia Wang

    (National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Department of Engineering Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

The traditional rough development method for irrigation and fertilization techniques has resulted in the waste of fertilizer and water sources and the degradation of black soil. The implementation of integrated water and fertilizer technology has the potential to address these issues. However, its success depends on farmers’ willingness to adopt it. This study aims to explore the incentives for farmers to adopt water and fertilizer integration technology through a practical investigation in China, revealing the driving mechanisms. The study constructed a technology adoption model and conducted a cross-sectional field study with farmers in Northeastern China. Financial consequences were incorporated into the integrated UTAUT-NAM to examine farmers’ acceptance. The validity and applicability of the model were evaluated through a partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. The results showed that personal norms and financial consequences were the most critical factors influencing farmers’ willingness to adopt water–fertilizer integration technology. In addition, expected performance, facilitating conditions, and effort required were also significant predictors. The study further highlighted the pivotal role of awareness of consequences and responsibility in influencing farmers’ intentions to adopt the new technology, while social influence had no significant impact. The findings demonstrated that the established research model elucidated 69.1% of the observed variation in farmers’ intention to adopt water–fertilizer integration technology. The results of this study provide theoretical support for promoting water–fertilizer integration technology and inform practical strategies for its implementation. The study offers actionable insights for policymakers, agricultural advisors, and technology developers to promote resource-efficient irrigation and fertilization methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Naihui Wang & Shuqi Zhang & Mo Li & Tianxiao Li & Yi-Jia Wang, 2025. "Farmers’ Acceptance of Water–Fertilizer Integration Technology: Theory and Evidence," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:8:p:841-:d:1633939
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/841/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/841/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fred D. Davis & Richard P. Bagozzi & Paul R. Warshaw, 1989. "User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(8), pages 982-1003, August.
    2. Yingchao Li & Zhiyuan Fan & Guanghui Jiang & Zhuo Quan, 2021. "Addressing the Differences in Farmers’ Willingness and Behavior Regarding Developing Green Agriculture—A Case Study in Xichuan County, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Kexiao Xie & Yuerui Zhu & Yongqiang Ma & Youcheng Chen & Shuiji Chen & Zhidan Chen, 2022. "Willingness of Tea Farmers to Adopt Ecological Agriculture Techniques Based on the UTAUT Extended Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Qin Liao & Jiangxia Nie & Huilai Yin & Yongheng Luo & Chuanhai Shu & Qingyue Cheng & Hao Fu & Biao Li & Liangyu Li & Yongjian Sun & Zongkui Chen & Jun Ma & Na Li & Xiaoli Zhang & Zhiyuan Yang, 2024. "Can the Integration of Water and Fertilizer Promote the Sustainable Development of Rice Production in China?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Sun, Guangzhao & Hu, Tiantian & Liu, Xiaogang & Peng, Youliang & Leng, Xianxian & Li, Yilin & Yang, Qiliang, 2022. "Optimizing irrigation and fertilization at various growth stages to improve mango yield, fruit quality and water-fertilizer use efficiency in xerothermic regions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    6. Yan Shi & Abu Bakkar Siddik & Mohammad Masukujjaman & Guangwen Zheng & Muhammad Hamayun & Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim, 2022. "The Antecedents of Willingness to Adopt and Pay for the IoT in the Agricultural Industry: An Application of the UTAUT 2 Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Fu, Yuanhong & Ding, Guijie & Quan, Wenxuan & Zhao, Xizhou & Tao, Qinghong, 2024. "Coupling optimization of water-fertilizer for coordinated development of the environment and growth of Pinus massoniana seedlings," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Shehawy, Yasser Moustafa & Faisal Ali Khan, Syed Md & Ali M Khalufi, Nasser & Abdullah, Riyaz Sheikh, 2025. "Customer adoption of robot: Synergizing customer acceptance of robot-assisted retail technologies," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Wen Xiang & Jianzhong Gao, 2023. "Do Not Be Anticlimactic: Farmers’ Behavior in the Sustainable Application of Green Agricultural Technology—A Perceived Value and Government Support Perspective," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
    3. Ashraf Hilal & Concepción Varela-Neira, 2022. "Understanding Consumer Adoption of Mobile Banking: Extending the UTAUT2 Model with Proactive Personality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Christian Arnold & Kai-Ingo Voigt, 2019. "Determinants of Industrial Internet of Things Adoption in German Manufacturing Companies," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(06), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Mohammed Akhmaaj, Asmaeil Ali & Sharif, Mohamed Omar, 2024. "The effects of planned behavior model constructs and technology acceptance model constructs on online purchasing behavior: An empirical study on internet users in the Libya city of Tripoli," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Philippe Cohard, 2020. "Information Systems Values: A Study of the Intranet in Three French Higher Education Institutions," Post-Print hal-02987225, HAL.
    7. Awni Rawashdeh, 2013. "Study Toward The Understanding Of Behavioral Intention To Use A Customer Relationship Management (Crm) Systems," Far East Journal of Psychology and Business, Far East Research Centre, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, September.
    8. Melih Engin & Fatih Gürses, 2019. "Adoption of Hospital Information Systems in Public Hospitals in Turkey: An Analysis with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 16(06), pages 1-19, October.
    9. Sabakun Naher Shetu, 2025. "Determinants of generation Z consumers’ mobile online shopping apps continuance intention to use during COVID-19 and beyond—an empirical study," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    10. Hasan, Rajibul & Lowe, Ben & Petrovici, Dan, 2020. "Consumer adoption of pro-poor service innovations in subsistence marketplaces," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 461-475.
    11. Morosan, Cristian, 2016. "An empirical examination of U.S. travelers’ intentions to use biometric e-gates in airports," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 120-128.
    12. Tsung Teng Chen, 2012. "The development and empirical study of a literature review aiding system," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 92(1), pages 105-116, July.
    13. Lawrence Bunnell & Kweku-Muata Osei-Bryson & Victoria Y. Yoon, 0. "RecSys Issues Ontology: A Knowledge Classification of Issues for Recommender Systems Researchers," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-42.
    14. Issa Mohamed Al Dafaei & Zurida Ismail & Mohd Ali Samsudin & Firas Jalal Shakir, 2013. "The Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy towards the Relationship Between Attitudes And Level of Use Towards Instructional Computer Technology in Oman," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(12), pages 2382-2398, December.
    15. Abdesamad Zouine & Pierre Fenies, 2014. "The Critical Success Factors Of The ERP System Project: A Meta-Analysis Methodology," Post-Print hal-01419785, HAL.
    16. Debora Bettiga & Lucio Lamberti & Emanuele Lettieri, 2020. "Individuals’ adoption of smart technologies for preventive health care: a structural equation modeling approach," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 203-214, June.
    17. Mbassi, Christophe Martial & Messono, Omang Ombolo, 2023. "Historical technology and current economic development: Reassessing the nature of the relationship," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    18. Luke Butcher & Ian Phau & Min Teah, 2016. "Brand prominence in luxury consumption: Will emotional value adjudicate our longing for status?," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(6), pages 701-715, November.
    19. Ahmed Ibrahim Alzahrani & T. Ramayah & Nalini Suppiah & Osama Alfarraj & Nasser Alalwan, 2020. "Modeling Blog Usage From a Developing Country Perspective Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    20. Chien, Yu-Shyun & Lu, Chung-Cheng, 2025. "Investigating users’ intention to re-use shared electric scooters through a combined behavioral model," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 533-544.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:8:p:841-:d:1633939. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.