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Trends and Drivers of Precision Agriculture Adoption: Evidence from U.S. Agricultural Census

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  • Wongpiyabovorn, Oranuch
  • Wang, Tong
  • Oyebanji, Akinsola T.

Abstract

This study uses county-level data from the 2022 U.S. Census of Agriculture, the first nationwide survey recording precision agriculture (PA) usage, to investigate PA adoption patterns and drivers. Our findings indicated concentrated PA usage in the Corn and Cotton Belts with a national adoption rate of 12.2%. Demographic characteristics along with structural factors like farm size and internet access, significantly affect PA adoption rates. More funding opportunities towards PA advancements in the livestock and specialty crops sectors are required. Our paper highlights the necessity for policies to reduce PA adoption barriers and to refine PA adoption variables for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Wongpiyabovorn, Oranuch & Wang, Tong & Oyebanji, Akinsola T., 2026. "Trends and Drivers of Precision Agriculture Adoption: Evidence from U.S. Agricultural Census," 2026 Annual Meeting, July 26 - 28, 2026, Kansas City, Missouri 404712, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea26:404712
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.404712
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wongpiyabovorn, Oranuch & Wang, Tong & Menendez, Hector & Yago, Airish Lou, . "Precision Livestock Farming Technologies in Beef Cattle Production: Current and Future," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 40(2).
    2. Lim, Katherine & McFadden, Jonathan & Miller, Noah & Lacy, Katherine, 2024. "America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2024 Edition," Economic Information Bulletin 348572, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Omobolaji Omobitan & Aditya R. Khanal, 2022. "Examining Farm Financial Management: How Do Small US Farms Meet Their Agricultural Expenses?," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Walton, Jonathan C. & Lambert, Dayton M. & Roberts, Roland K. & Larson, James A. & English, Burton C. & Larkin, Sherry L. & Martin, Steven W. & Marra, Michele C. & Paxton, Kenneth W. & Reeves, Jeanne , 2008. "Adoption and Abandonment of Precision Soil Sampling in Cotton Production," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 33(3), pages 1-21.
    5. Thompson, Nathanael M. & Bir, Courtney & Widmar, David A. & Mintert, James R., 2019. "Farmer Perceptions Of Precision Agriculture Technology Benefits," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 51(1), pages 142-163, February.
    6. Shreesha Pandeya & Buddhi R. Gyawali & Suraj Upadhaya, 2025. "Factors Influencing Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption Among Small-Scale Farmers in Kentucky and Their Implications for Policy and Practice," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Athanasios Balafoutis & Bert Beck & Spyros Fountas & Jurgen Vangeyte & Tamme Van der Wal & Iria Soto & Manuel Gómez-Barbero & Andrew Barnes & Vera Eory, 2017. "Precision Agriculture Technologies Positively Contributing to GHG Emissions Mitigation, Farm Productivity and Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-28, July.
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