Search Results (819)

Legumes are among the most important crops globally, serving as a major food source for protein and oil. In tropical regions, the cultivation of legumes has expanded significantly due to the increasing demand for food, plant-based products, and sustainable agriculture practices. However, tropical environments pose unique challenges, including high temperatures, erratic rainfall, soil infertility, and a high incidence of pests and diseases. Indeed, legumes are vulnerable to infections caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, viruses, and nematodes. This review highlights the importance of legumes in tropical farming and discusses major diseases affecting productivity and their impact on the economy, environment, and lives of smallholder legume farmers. We emphasize the use of legume genetic resources and breeding, and biotechnology innovations to foster resistance and address the challenges posed by pathogens in legumes. However, an integrated approach that includes other cultivation techniques (e.g., crop rotation, rational fertilization, deep plowing) remains important for the prevention and control of diseases in legume crops. Finally, we highlight the contributions of plant genetic resources to smallholder resilience and food security. Full article

The adoption of digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), has emerged as a key strategy to improve efficiency, sustainability, and productivity in the agricultural sector, especially in contexts of modernization and digital transformation in developing regions. This study analyzes the key factors influencing the adoption of IoT technologies by farmers in the province of Guayas, Ecuador, and their impact on agricultural yields. The research is grounded in innovation diffusion theory and technology acceptance models, which emphasize the role of perception, usability, training, and economic viability in digital adoption. A total of 250 surveys were administered, with 232 valid responses (92.8% response rate), reflecting strong interest from the agricultural sector in digital transformation and precision agriculture. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the results confirm that general perception of IoT (β = 0.514), practical functionality (β = 0.488), and technical training (β = 0.523) positively influence adoption, while high implementation costs negatively affect it (β = −0.651), all of which are statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, adoption has a strong positive effect on agricultural yield (β = 0.795). The model explained a high percentage of variance in both adoption (R² = 0.771) and performance (R² = 0.706), supporting its predictive capacity. These findings underscore the need for public and private institutions to implement targeted training and financing strategies to overcome economic barriers and foster the sustainable integration of IoT technologies in Ecuadorian agriculture. Full article

Increased food production demands, labor shortages, and environmental concerns are driving the need for innovative agricultural technologies. However, effective adoption depends critically on aligning robot innovations with the needs of farmers. This paper examines the alignment between the needs of farmers and the robotic systems used in row crop farming. We review current commercial agricultural robots and research, and map these to the needs of farmers, as expressed in the literature, to identify the key issues holding back large-scale adoption. From initial pool of 184 research articles, 19 survey articles, and 82 commercial robotic solutions, we selected 38 peer-reviewed academic studies, 12 survey articles, and 18 commercially available robots for in-depth review and analysis for this study. We identify the key challenges faced by farmers and map them directly to the current and emerging capabilities of agricultural robots. We supplement the data gathered from the literature review of surveys and case studies with in-depth interviews with nine farmers to obtain deeper insights into the needs and day-to-day operations. Farmers reported mixed reactions to current technologies, acknowledging efficiency improvements but highlighting barriers such as capital costs, technical complexity, and inadequate support systems. There is a notable demand for technologies for improved plant health monitoring, soil condition assessment, and enhanced climate resilience. We then review state-of-the-art robotic solutions for row crop farming and map these technological capabilities to the farmers’ needs. Only technologies with field validation or operational deployment are included, to ensure practical relevance. These mappings generate insights that underscore the need for lightweight and modular robot technologies that can be adapted to diverse farming practices, as well as the need for farmers’ education and simpler interfaces to robotic operations and data analysis that are actionable for farmers. We conclude with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the importance of co-creation with the farming community to ensure the adoption and sustained use of agricultural robotic solutions. Full article

Despite the importance of financial literacy, particularly in sustaining and improving rural agriculture, it is documented in the literature that little is known about financial literacy, particularly in rural communities in developing countries. Responding to the calls for research to address this gap, the current study investigates how financial literacy relates to access to funding, innovative service adoption, and sustainable food production among agricultural food producers in Nigeria’s rural communities. A probability sampling technique was used to draw 460 samples from registered rural farmers in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchored Borrower’s Programme for food production in Edo State, Nigeria. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested using regression analysis, while descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse the demographic data of the respondents. The outcomes suggest that financial literacy has significant links with access to funding, innovative service adoption and sustainable food production among agricultural food producers in Nigerian rural communities. Based on the outcomes, it is concluded that financial literacy significantly influences sustainable food production in Nigerian rural communities. As such, there is a need for the Nigerian government and financial authorities to embark on a financial literacy drive to increase financial literacy, particularly in light of ever-evolving disruptive financial technologies. Full article

This study investigates the mechanisms by which green finance mitigates non-point source pollution. Based on provincial panel data from China spanning 2005 to 2023, this study conducts an empirical analysis that yields several key findings: (1) The development of green finance significantly reduces the intensity of agricultural non-point source pollution. (2) Green finance indirectly contributes to pollution reduction by incentivizing farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable production practices. (3) The pollution control effects of green finance are amplified in regions with advanced digital infrastructure. (4) The impact of green finance on agricultural pollution demonstrates a threshold effect associated with regional innovation capacity—only when innovation capability exceeds a certain threshold does the emission reduction effect of green finance become evident. Theoretically, this study broadens the research dimensions of green finance by integrating farmer behavioral factors and revealing boundary conditions related to technology and innovation. Policy implications include the need to tailor green financial products for agriculture, accelerate the development of rural digital infrastructure, and implement innovation-driven differentiated policies to enhance precision. Full article

The relationships between farmers and livestock are multifaceted. The aim of this study was to describe the sociodemographic, biogeographic, and institutional factors that influence the relationships between humans and animals in the natural savanna. Visits were made to 65 farms, followed by interviews (n = 13) and three focus group interviews (n = 24) directed at farmers and institutional representatives. The results were triangulated to extract the key findings. The following findings were obtained: (a) cultural gender transitions and the lack of generational succession have transformed livestock farming; (b) the relationships between farmers and livestock have favored the implementation of new productive practices and innovations, as well as improvements in animal welfare practices; (c) conditioning factors affecting these relationships include gender discriminatory norms, low profitability and credit access, poor sanitation, animal handling infrastructure, security, and resistance to change; and (d) improvement opportunities include the inclusion of young people and women in livestock farming, education for work practices, credit facilitation, access to technologies, governance, and improvement in the cattle logistics chain. The results are useful for enhancing the relationships between farmers and livestock, guiding training activities, and responsible governance. Full article

Organic agriculture is a complex, knowledge-intensive system, deeply aligned with sustainability goals. While the field has seen promising growth and innovation, it still grapples with significant challenges, particularly in how knowledge is shared, applied, and supported structurally within sustainability-oriented frameworks. To fill this gap, a systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, screening publications from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. A total of 39 scientific studies were analysed using content analysis and a bibliometric methodological approach. Findings reveal a balanced geographical distribution of studies and a dominance of qualitative methodologies. While farmers, advisors, and researchers are frequently involved in data collection, broader stakeholder engagement is limited. Key actors—research institutions, advisory services, and sectoral organisations—emerge as central to driving innovation and enhancing farmers’ access to actionable knowledge. However, the analysis identifies three core challenges: tailoring knowledge and innovation to diverse farming contexts; strengthening the intermediary role of advisors to bridge science and practice; and integrating organic agriculture more explicitly within the frameworks of sustainability and agroecology. Future research should focus on improving participatory dissemination strategies and strengthening intermediary roles to advance sustainability-driven innovation in organic agriculture. Full article

The development and implementation of microbial consortium-based biofertilizers represent a promising direction in sustainable agriculture, particularly in the context of the ongoing global ecological and agricultural crisis. This article examines the agroecological and economic impacts of applying microbial consortiums and explores the mechanisms of technology transfer using the example of two countries with differing levels of scientific and technological advancement–China and Kazakhstan. The analysis of the Chinese experience reveals that the successful integration of microbial biofertilizers into agricultural practice is made possible by a well-established institutional framework that includes strong governmental support for R&D, a robust scientific infrastructure, and effective coordination with the private sector. In contrast, Kazakhstan, despite its favorable agroecological conditions and growing interest among farmers in environmentally friendly technologies, faces several challenges from limited funding to a fragmented technology transfer system. The comparative study demonstrates that adapting Chinese models requires consideration of local specificities and the strengthening of intergovernmental cooperation. The article concludes by emphasizing the need to establish a multi-level innovation ecosystem encompassing the entire cycle of development and deployment of microbial biofertilizers, as a prerequisite for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in countries at different stages of economic development. Full article

In recent decades, climate change, increasing demand, and resource scarcity have transformed the agricultural sector into a critical field of research. Farmers have been compelled to adopt innovations and new technologies to enhance production efficiency and crop resilience. This study presents a systematic literature review, supplemented by a bibliometric analysis of relevant documents, focusing on the key applications and combined techniques of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital twins (DT) in the development and implementation of cyber-physical systems (CPS) in smart agriculture and establishes whether CPS in agriculture is an attractive research topic. A total of 108 bibliographic records from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases were analyzed to construct the bibliometric study database. The findings reveal that CPS has evolved and emerged as a promising research area, largely due to its versatility and integration potential. The analysis offers researchers and practitioners a comprehensive overview of the existing literature and research trends on the dynamic relationship between CPS and its primary applications in the agricultural industry while encouraging further exploration in this field. Additionally, the main challenges associated with implementing CPS in the context of smart agriculture are discussed, contributing to a deeper understanding of this topic. Full article

Informal groundwater markets, where farmers with wells sell surplus water to neighbors, are a widespread adaptive response to water scarcity, particularly in South Asia where they are most prevalent and well-documented. This review (1990–2025) examines the evolving patterns of these markets by synthesizing global literature and viewing them through the lens of three transformative trends: energy transition (especially solar pumps), digital innovations (e.g., blockchain and IoT), and new policy pathways. We synthesize literature to evaluate market structures, contract forms, efficiency and equity outcomes, environmental impacts, and the influence of energy policies and digital tools. The review assesses whether these informal trades fulfill their promise of enhancing water productivity and equity or if new challenges are creating pitfalls. Key objectives include documenting historical evolution, analyzing market performance, discussing externalities like aquifer depletion, examining policy interactions, reviewing digital pilots, exploring social inclusion, comparing governance frameworks, identifying research gaps linked to SDGs, and proposing a policy roadmap for harnessing benefits while ensuring sustainability. Full article

Amid the global push for agricultural green transformation, sustainable agriculture requires not only technological innovation but also market mechanisms that effectively incentivize green practices. Agricultural e-commerce is increasingly viewed as a potential driver of green technology diffusion among farmers. However, the extent and mechanism of e-commerce’s influence on farmers’ green production remain underexplored. Using survey data from 346 rural households in Inner Mongolia, China, this study develops a conceptual framework of “e-commerce participation–green cognition–green adoption” and employs propensity score matching (PSM) combined with mediation analysis to evaluate the impact of e-commerce participation on green technology adoption. The empirical results yield four main findings: (1) E-commerce participation significantly promotes the adoption of green production technologies, with an estimated 29.52% increase in adoption. (2) Participation has a strong positive effect on water-saving irrigation and pest control technologies at the 5% significance level, a moderate effect on straw incorporation at the 10% level, and no statistically significant impact on plastic film recycling or organic fertilizer use. (3) Compared to third-party sales, the direct e-commerce model more effectively promotes green technology adoption, with an increase of 21.64% at the 5% significance level. (4) Green cognition serves as a mediator in the relationship between e-commerce and green adoption behavior. This study makes contributions by introducing e-commerce participation as a novel explanatory pathway for green technology adoption, going beyond traditional policy-driven and resource-based perspectives. It further highlights the role of cognitive mechanisms in shaping adoption behaviors. The study recommends that policymakers subsidize farmers’ participation in e-commerce, invest in green awareness programs, and support differentiated e-commerce models to enhance their positive impact on sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The present study implements novel innovative geostatistical imaging using precision agriculture (PA) under sugarbeet field conditions. Two driplines layout designs (d.l.d.) and soil water content (SWC)–irrigation treatments (A: d.l.d. = 1.00 m driplines spacing × 0.50 m emitters inline spacing; B: d.l.d. = 1.50 m driplines spacing × 0.50 m emitters inline spacing) were applied, with two subfactors of clay loam and clay soils (laboratory soil analysis) for modeling (evaluation of seven models) TDR multi-sensor network measurements. Different sensor calibration methods [method 1(M1) = according to factory; method 2 (M2) = according to Hook and Livingston] were applied for the geospatial two-dimensional (2D) imaging of accurate GIS maps of rootzone soil moisture profiles, soil apparent dielectric Ka profiles, and granular and hydraulic parameters profiles, in multiple soil layers (0–75 cm depth). The modeling results revealed that the best-fitted geostatistical model for soil apparent dielectric Ka was the Gaussian model, while spherical and exponential models were identified to be the most appropriate for kriging modelling, and spatial and temporal imaging was used for accurate profile SWC ${\theta v}_{TDR}$(m³·m⁻³) M1 and M2 maps using TDR sensors. The resulting PA profile map images depict the spatio-temporal soil water and apparent dielectric Ka variability at very high resolutions on a centimeter scale. The best geostatistical validation measures for the PA profile SWC ${\theta v}_{TDR}$ maps obtained were MPE = −0.00248 (m³·m⁻³), RMSE = 0.0395 (m³·m⁻³), MSPE = −0.0288, RMSSE = 2.5424, ASE = 0.0433, Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency NSE = 0.6229, and MSDR = 0.9937. Based on the results, we recommend d.l.d. A and sensor calibration method 2 for the geospatial 2D imaging of PA GIS maps because these were found to be more accurate, with the lowest statistical and geostatistical errors, and the best validation measures for accurate profile SWC imaging were obtained for clay loam over clay soils. Visualizing sensors’ soil moisture results via geostatistical maps of rootzone profiles have practical implications that assist farmers and scientists in making informed, better and timely environmental irrigation engineering decisions, to save irrigation water, increase water use efficiency and crop production, optimize energy, reduce crop costs, and manage water resources sustainably. Full article

Global changes and society’s development necessitate the improvement of water use and irrigation water saving, which require a set of water management measures to best deal with the necessary changes. This study considers the framework of the change process for water management in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID) of the Yellow River Basin. This paper presents the main measures that have been applied to ensure the sustainability and modernization of Hetao, mitigating water scarcity while maintaining land productivity and environmental value. Several components of modernization projects that have already been implemented are characterized, such as the off-farm canal distribution system, the on-farm surface irrigation, innovative crop and soil management techniques, drainage, and salinity control, including the management of autumn irrigation and advances of drip irrigation at the sector and farm levels. This characterization includes technologies, farmer training, labor needs, energy consumption, water savings, and economic aspects, based on data observed and reported in official reports. Therefore, this study integrates knowledge and analyzes the most limiting aspects in some case studies, evaluating the effectiveness of the solutions used. Full article

The adoption of agricultural technologies is paramount for enhancing global agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, widespread implementation faces significant challenges, particularly in developing regions. Using data from the China Land Economic Survey (CLES), this study examines how land certification reform affects farmers’ technology adoption behavior from an institutional perspective. Results demonstrate that land certification significantly increases agricultural technology adoption rates, with more pronounced effects observed among households possessing greater human and physical capital. A mechanistic analysis reveals that land certification facilitates technology adoption through three pathways: (1) improving credit accessibility, (2) strengthening long-term investment incentives, and (3) expanding the production and operational scale. These findings highlight land tenure security as a fundamental institutional driver of agricultural modernization, deepen the understanding of the interaction between institutions and innovation in agriculture, and offer actionable insights for integrating property rights reforms with technological advancements. Full article

Agroecology has traditionally been implemented using conventional methods. However, the integration of precision equipment, advanced methodologies, and digital technologies (DT) is now essential for transitioning to a more modern and efficient approach. While agroecological principles remain fundamental for planning and managing sustainable food systems by optimizing natural resources, technological tools can significantly support their implementation and adoption by farmers. This transition, however, must also consider socioeconomic factors and policy frameworks to ensure that technological advancements lead to meaningful improvements in farms and agroecosystems. Across both industrialized and emerging economies, various initiatives, such as precision agriculture, digital platforms, and e-commerce, are driving the digitalization of agroecology. These innovations offer clear benefits, including enhanced knowledge generation and direct improvements to the food supply chain; however, several barriers remain, including limited understanding of digital tools, high-energy demands, insufficient financial resources, economical constrains, weak policy support, lack of infrastructure, low digital learning by framers, etc. to facilitate the transition. This review looks for the understanding of how digitalization can align or conflict with local agroecological dynamics across distinct political frameworks and reality contexts because the information about DT adoption in agroecological practices is limited and it remains unclear if digital agriculture for scaling agroecology can considerably change power dynamics within the productive systems in regions of Europe and Latin America. In South America, among countries like Ecuador, with strong potential for agroecological development, where 60% of farms are less than 1 ha, and where farmers have expressed interest in agroecological practices, 80% have reported lacking sufficient information to make the transition to digitalization, making slow the adoption progress of these DT. While agroecology is gaining global recognition, its modernization through DT requires further research in technical, social, economic, cultural, and political dimensions to more guide the adoption of DT in agroecology with more certainty. Full article