USER-CENTRIC INVESTIGATION ON ICT ADOPTION AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN KELANTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/JISTM.1144005Keywords:
Digital Agriculture, ICT Adoption, Rural Farmers, Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of TechnologyAbstract
Agriculture is a major economic activity in Kelantan, where many rural communities rely on small-scale farming for their income. However, productivity remain low due to several factors such as limited mechanization and access to information. Nowadays Information and Communication Technology (ICT) play a significant role in improving agricultural activity including farm management, market access, and decision-making. Despite national initiatives to improve digital inclusion in agriculture such as the Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) and the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030 (NAP 2.0), there are still a lot of challenges in ICT adoption among rural farmers in Kelantan. This study aimed to assess the reliability and suitability of a questionnaire designed to measure farmers’ perceptions toward ICT adoption and to identify preliminary patterns of awareness, attitudes, and challenges. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire comprising 24 items with six constructs including importance, ease of use, knowledge, equipment, cost, and attitude. Data collected from 30 rural farmers were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics. All constructs demonstrated acceptable reliability, with Cronbach alpha values ranging from 0.76 to 0.84. The findings confirm that the instrument is reliable and suitable for large-scale use while emphasizing the need for improved digital infrastructure and farmer training.
Downloads
References
Arokoyo, T. (2019). ICTs in the transformation of agricultural extension: The case of Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 11(5), 87–95.
Awuor, F. M., Rabah, K., & Okelo-Odongo, P. (2020). Determinants of ICT adoption among smallholder farmers in East Africa. Information Development, 36(4), 532–547.
Bolarinwa, K. K., Fakayode, S. B., & Ayinde, O. E. (2021). Information and communication technology adoption among rural farmers in developing countries: A review. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 6(3), 143–151.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340.
Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2023). Selected agricultural indicators, Malaysia 2023. Putrajaya: DOSM.
Economic Planning Unit. (2021). MyDIGITAL: Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. Prime Minister’s Department, Malaysia.
Hertzog, M. A. (2008). Considerations in determining sample size for pilot studies. Research in Nursing & Health, 31(2), 180–191.
Ismail, N., Yusof, S. A., & Jalil, N. A. (2020). Barriers to ICT adoption among rural farmers in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Rural Studies, 25(2), 65–77.
Johanson, G. A., & Brooks, G. P. (2010). Initial scale development: Sample size for pilot studies. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 70(3), 394–400.
Kamaluddin, M. A., Rahim, N. A., & Abdullah, S. (2022). Digital literacy and ICT usage among Malaysian rural communities. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 19(3), 201–215.
Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607–610.
Meera, S. N., Jhamtani, A., & Rao, D. U. M. (2021). Information and communication technology in agricultural development: A comparative analysis. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(2), 44–55.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. (2021). National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030 (NAP 2.0). Putrajaya: MAFS.
Munthali, N., Manda, S., & Phiri, T. (2018). Socio-cultural influences on technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Rural Development Studies, 34(2), 201–215.
Nor Diana, M. I, Loyola, O. P., Lee, K. E., Nur Riza, M. S., & Chin, H. C. (2026). Aplikasi Model UTAUT dalam Penggunaan Dron di KADA: Menilai Peranan Saiz Ladang Sebagai Pembolehubah Penyederhana. Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (MJSSH), 11(2)
Norizan, A. R., & Aziz, M. H. (2022). Empowering rural farmers through ICT training: The Malaysian experience. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 30(1), 15–27.
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Rahman, A., & Hassan, H. (2019). Technology acceptance among Malaysian farmers: Extending the TAM framework. Journal of Agricultural Management, 8(1), 33–46.
Ramli, R., Zainuddin, M., & Ariffin, F. (2021). The role of ICT in Malaysian agricultural extension services: A case study approach. Malaysian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 12(1), 55–69.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Setiawan, B., Suharyanto, & Nurlina. (2020). ICT-based agricultural extension and farmer empowerment in Indonesia. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, 8(2), 119–131.
Sulaiman, A. H., Wahab, S. A., & Noor, M. N. (2022). Social influence and digital readiness among Malaysian rural farmers. Journal of Rural Sociology, 35(1), 77–95.
Tanaka, K., & Nguyen, M. T. (2024). Intergenerational adoption gap: Digital literacy training and its effect on older farmers' use of precision technology in Thailand. Global Agricultural Technology Review, 12(3), 112–129. https://doi.org/10.3389/gatr.2024.112345
Tobbin, P., & Adjei, J. (2021). Adoption of mobile ICTs in agriculture: A study of rural Ghana. Information Technology for Development, 27(2), 198–213.
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478.
