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Are small farms sustainable and technologically smart? Evidence from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania

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  • Stępień Sebastian

    (Poznań University od Economics and Business, Department of Macroeconomics and Agricultural Economics, Al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland)

  • Smędzik-Ambroży Katarzyna

    (Poznań University od Economics and Business, Department of Macroeconomics and Agricultural Economics, Al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland)

  • Polcyn Jan

    (Stanislaw Staszic State University of Applied Sciences, Department of Economics, Podchorążych 10, 64-920 Piła, Poland)

  • Kwiliński Aleksy

    (London Academy of Science and Business, 120 Baker Street, 3rd Floor, W1U 6TU London, England)

  • Maican Ionut

    (Transilvania University of Brasov, B-dul Eroilor nr 29, 50036, Brasov, Romania)

Abstract

Sustainable development of farms is determined by many factors and, in recent years, significance of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) has been pointed out, especially in terms of beneficial effects on economic performance and natural resources. Therefore, there is a need to answer the question about the application of AI technologies in small-scale farms, especially those with a relatively high level of sustainability. In order to obtain the information, a survey in Poland, Romania and Lithuania was carried out. Among the respondents, the 20 most sustainable farms in each country were selected using the CRITIC-TOPSIS method. Next, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore attitudes, behaviour and knowledge of AI.. The results show that small-scale farms in selected countries do not apply artificial intelligence. Although owners recognise and appreciate the benefits of AI, they are not convinced to implement this technology in their own business, they are not completely uncritical about using AI tools in the practice. The main obstacles are: low level of knowledge, misconception of the price of innovation or lack of capital for buying more advanced technology, low interest in implementing innovative solutions due the small scale of production or habituation to traditional production methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Stępień Sebastian & Smędzik-Ambroży Katarzyna & Polcyn Jan & Kwiliński Aleksy & Maican Ionut, 2023. "Are small farms sustainable and technologically smart? Evidence from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania," Central European Economic Journal, Sciendo, vol. 10(57), pages 116-132, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ceuecj:v:10:y:2023:i:57:p:116-132:n:4
    DOI: 10.2478/ceej-2023-0007
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    small-scale farms; technology; artificial intelligence; sustainable development; interview research; farmers opinions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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