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Drivers and Barriers to Digital Agriculture Adoption: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities in Latin American

Author

Listed:
  • Thais Dibbern

    (Embrapa Digital Agriculture, 209 André Tosello Avenue, Campinas 13083-886, SP, Brazil)

  • Luciana Romani

    (Embrapa Digital Agriculture, 209 André Tosello Avenue, Campinas 13083-886, SP, Brazil)

  • Silvia Massruhá

    (Embrapa, W3 Norte Avenue-Asa Norte, Brasilia 70770-901, DF, Brazil)

Abstract

This study aims to identify and analyze the adoption of digital agriculture in Latin America, focusing on Brazil, by examining barriers and drivers across diverse biomes. It identifies key factors influencing technology integration using a mixed-methods approach, including a literature review and empirical data from selected Brazilian municipalities. The central barriers include limited digital literacy, financial constraints, labor shortages, service provider accessibility, and infrastructure inadequacies. Drivers encompass productivity gains, cost reduction, improved management, infrastructure availability, and producer education. This research highlights the need for strategic policy interventions to address these barriers, enhancing digital literacy, infrastructure, and connectivity. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for realizing the transformative potential of digital agriculture and promoting productivity, sustainability, and economic development in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Thais Dibbern & Luciana Romani & Silvia Massruhá, 2025. "Drivers and Barriers to Digital Agriculture Adoption: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities in Latin American," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3676-:d:1637693
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carrer, Marcelo José & Filho, Hildo Meirelles de Souza & Vinholis, Marcela de Mello Brandão & Mozambani, Carlos Ivan, 2022. "Precision agriculture adoption and technical efficiency: An analysis of sugarcane farms in Brazil," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    2. 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.
    3. Clara Mosso & Diego Pons & Cristian Beza-Beza, 2022. "A Long Way toward Climate Smart Agriculture: The Importance of Addressing Gender Inequity in the Agricultural Sector of Guatemala," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, August.
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    1. da Silveira, Franco & Smania, Guilherme Sales & Landaverde, Rafael & Osiro, Lauro & Bolfe, Édson Luis & Romani, Luciana Alvim Santos & Barbedo, Jayme Garcia Arnal, 2026. "Exploring the drivers of responsible scaling of Agriculture 4.0 technologies for transformative impact in the modern agri-food ecosystem: An ISM-based analysis," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).

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