Adoption of Modern Agricultural Technology by Small Farm Operators: An Interdisciplinary Model for Researchers and Strategy Builders

摘要

Over one billion small farmers remain unaffected by even the most basic agricultural innovations. This study outlines a new model explaining small farmer innovation. Behavioral theories such as the human needs theory and Piaget's theory of structural change are reviewed to support the premise that farmer adoptive behavior is influenced by the cumulative valence of perceived incentives and disincentives. Several functional models such as the technology, institution-building, equilibrium, communication, conflict, and problem-solving models are then reviewed to establish a framework to correlate the complexity of factors affecting this behavior. Finding these models inadequate to explain small farmer innovation, the report develops the interdisciplinary behavioral differential model which considers the mental, behavioral, and environmental factors influencing technology adoption/nonadoption.