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The Digital Divide in Farming: A Problem of Access or Engagement?

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  • Thia Hennessy
  • Doris Läpple
  • Brian Moran

Abstract

This article explores farmers’ use of computers for farm business purposes by analyzing the computer access and usage decisions of almost 900 Irish farmers. The findings reveal that computer ownership is influenced by a combination of farm business and household characteristics, but that farm business characteristics dominate if the computer is used for the business. More detailed findings suggest that computers are most likely to be used on larger dairy farms, while farmers who are living alone have limited access to computers. Public policy needs to support the adoption of information technologies, and the role of computers in tackling social isolation and providing farm information is critically discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Thia Hennessy & Doris Läpple & Brian Moran, 2016. "The Digital Divide in Farming: A Problem of Access or Engagement?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 38(3), pages 474-491.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:apecpp:v:38:y:2016:i:3:p:474-491.
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    1. Smith, Aaron D. & Goe, W. Richard & Kemey, Martin & Morrison Paul, Catherine J., 2004. "Computer and Internet Use by Great Plains Farmers," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 29(3), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Paxton, Kenneth W. & Mishra, Ashok K. & Chintawar, Sachin & Roberts, Roland K. & Larson, James A. & English, Burton C. & Lambert, Dayton M. & Marra, Michele C. & Larkin, Sherry L. & Reeves, Jeanne M. , 2011. "Intensity of Precision Agriculture Technology Adoption by Cotton Producers," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 40(1), pages 1-12, April.
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    4. Briggeman, Brian C. & Whitacre, Brian E., 2010. "Farming and the Internet: Reasons for Non-Use," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 39(3), pages 571-584, October.
    5. Mishra, Ashok K. & Park, Timothy A., 2005. "An Empirical Analysis of Internet Use by U.S. Farmers," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(2), pages 253-264, October.
    6. Batte, Marvin T. & Ernst, Stanley C., 2007. "Net Gains from 'Net Purchases? Farmers' Preferences for Online and Local Input Purchases," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 36(1), pages 1-11, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alba Vázquez-López & Martín Barrasa-Rioja & Manuel Marey-Perez, 2021. "ICT in Rural Areas from the Perspective of Dairy Farming: A Systematic Review," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Balaine, Lorraine & Dillon, Emma J. & Läpple, Doris & Lynch, John, 2020. "Can technology help achieve sustainable intensification? Evidence from milk recording on Irish dairy farms," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Xiaolu Wei & Junhu Ruan, 2022. "Influences of Government Policies and Farmers’ Cognition on Farmers’ Participation Willingness and Behaviors in E-Commerce Interest Linkage Mechanisms during Farmer–Enterprise Games," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Chandra S. R. Nuthalapati & Chaitanya Nuthalapati, 2021. "Has Open Innovation Taken Root in India? Evidence from Startups Working in Food Value Chains," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(4), pages 1207-1230, December.
    5. Jian Li & Xin Yan & Yongwu Li & Xuefan Dong, 2023. "Optimizing the Agricultural Supply Chain through E-Commerce: A Case Study of Tudouec in Inner Mongolia, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, February.
    6. Yangchenhao Wu & Kaifeng Duan & Wang Zhang, 2023. "The Impact of Internet Use on Farmers’ Land Transfer under the Framework of Transaction Costs," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Nan Hao & Mingxing Ji, 2023. "Development of Platform Economy and Urban–Rural Income Gap: Theoretical Deductions and Empirical Analyses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-25, May.
    8. Gyawali, Buddhi R. & Paudel, Krishna P. & Jean, Rosny & Banerjee, Swagata “Ban”, 2023. "Adoption of computer-based technology (CBT) in agriculture in Kentucky, USA: Opportunities and barriers," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    9. Alba Vázquez-López & Manuel Marey-Perez, 2021. "Factors Affecting e-Government Adoption by Dairy Farmers: A Case Study in the North-West of Spain," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    10. Hyland, John J. & Heanue, Kevin & McKillop, Jessica & Micha, Evgenia, 2018. "Factors influencing dairy farmers’ adoption of best management grazing practices," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 562-571.
    11. Jianxin Guo & Songqing Jin & Lei Chen & Jichun Zhao, 2018. "Impacts of Distance Education on Agricultural Performance and Household Income: Micro-Evidence from Peri-Urban Districts in Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, October.
    12. Grace Fox & John Mooney & Pierangelo Rosati & Theo Lynn, 2021. "AgriTech Innovators: A Study of Initial Adoption and Continued Use of a Mobile Digital Platform by Family-Operated Farming Enterprises," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-20, December.

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