Factors influencing the adoption and use of internet-agriculture by small-scale farmers IN Zimbabwe

This research focussed on the perceptions and factors that influence small-scale (SS) farmers’ adoption of internet technology in their agricultural activities. The study used the TRA, TAM, and TPB with added constructs of trust, environment, socio-economic background, cost and awareness. Method used to collect primary data on the perceptions of farmers towards e-agriculture is the questionnaire and literature on the topic was also studied to come up with conclusions on the farmers’ perceptions. High level findings of this study showed that the intention to adopt e-agriculture by SS farmers is predicted by:

Attitude (ß= 0.0.136, p<0.01)

Subjective Norms (ß= 0.0.291, p<0.05)

Perceived Usefulness (ß= 0.433, p<0.01)

Cost (0.447, p<0.01), and

PBC (0.392. p<0.01).

In view of the results the recommendations are that the farmers need to be aware of the advantages that accrue from the adoption of internet agriculture and this can be achieved by the use of public media and public forums, and organisations working with SS farmerstogether with government agenciesneed to create facilitating conditions/an environment that makes it easy for the farmers to use internet especially reduction in adoption and use costs.