Tendencies of Precision Agriculture in Ukraine: Disruptive Smart Farming Tools as Cooperation Drivers

Abstract

Precision farming innovations are designed to improve the efficiency of agricultural activities via minimal initial input of material and human resources and avoiding harmful effects on the environment on one hand and automatizing the production on another hand, thus providing environmental, social and economic benefits. In the article, the tendencies in the adoption of precision agriculture technologies (PAT) in Ukraine were observed, with a specific focus on cooperatives as a valuable tool of social and solidarity economy helping to achieve progress in local rural development. On the example of cooperatives, applying a technology acceptance model (TAM) has identified how the adoption of new smart farming tools influence their behavior in implementing technological innovations. The results of the study will be of particular interest to representatives of other cooperatives and to agribusiness players engaged in agriculture or software development. In addition, the outputs will be useful for researchers in the field of the socio-economic development of territories and the impact of new technologies on it, as well as for local governments and higher-level government officials, which can contribute to the implementation of better rural development strategies.