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Precision Agriculture in China: Exploring Awareness, Understanding, Attitudes and Perceptions of Agricultural Experts and End-Users in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2017

H. Kendall ,
P. Naughton ,
B. Clark ,
J. Taylor ,
Z. Li ,
C. Zhao ,
G. Yang ,
J. Chen  and
L. J. Frewer
H. Kendall
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
P. Naughton
Affiliation:
Edinburgh Napier University Business School, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ
B. Clark*
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
J. Taylor
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
Z. Li
Affiliation:
School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
C. Zhao
Affiliation:
National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing Nongke Mansion, Shuang Hua Yuan Middle Road No. 11, Haidian District, Beijing, China
G. Yang
Affiliation:
National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing Nongke Mansion, Shuang Hua Yuan Middle Road No. 11, Haidian District, Beijing, China
J. Chen
Affiliation:
National Engineering Research Center for Information Technology in Agriculture, Beijing Nongke Mansion, Shuang Hua Yuan Middle Road No. 11, Haidian District, Beijing, China
L. J. Frewer
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
*
† E-mail: lynn.frewer@newcastle.ac.uk
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Abstract

Precision agriculture (PA) may improve the sustainability of Chinese agriculture. Ten experts were interviewed and 34 farm workers surveyed regarding their understanding, attitudes and perceptions towards PA. PA technologies were considered inaccessible, unsuitable and unnecessary for smaller farms. High cost, lack of perceived benefits, and skills and capability required to adopt PA represented barriers to adoption. Financial incentives/subsidies, the need for tangible benefits and tailored solutions to be demonstrated to farmers, and agronomic and peer support were desired. Future research should further explore PA with Chinese stakeholders and end-users in China, to inform future socio-technological developments.

Keywords

farmer perceptionsbarriers and facilitators of adoptionChinafamily farms.

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