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Adoption of precision agriculture technologies by sugarcane farmers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

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Abstract

This research aims at analyzing the determinants of the adoption and the intensity of adoption of precision agriculture technologies (PATs) by sugarcane farmers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A sample survey of 131 sugarcane farmers provided the data. Six adopted PATs were identified: GNSS and images for planting row orientation (52 adopters), tractor/harvester with automatic guidance system (32), georeferenced grids for soil sampling (15), images (satellite and/or drone) for mapping pests and yields (8), variable-rate applicators of fertilizers (8), and variable-rate applicators of pesticide (3). The adoption and adoption intensity (dependent variable) were measured as the number of PATs used by farmers. 53 farmers adopted at least one of these technologies, while 78 farmers did not adopt PATs. A count data model was used to test hypotheses on factors explaining both adoption and the intensity of adoption. The results suggested that the information provided by the sugarcane mills, the production scale and farmer perception that PATs would increase yield are determining factors for adoption. Information provided by private technical advisors and obtained at agricultural events plays an important role in the intensity of adoption. Such intensity is also affected by farmers’ previous experience with PATs, their perception that PATs would increase yield, and the availability of low-cost credit.

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Fig. 1

Source: IBGE, 2017

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Data availability

The data are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgement

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development – CNPq, Brazil, supported this research [CNPq grants 423009/2018-4 and 303341/2019-0] and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa [40.19.03.060.00.00 and 41.14.09.001.06.00].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departament of Production Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carlos Ivan Mozambani, Hildo Meirelles de Souza Filho & Marcelo José Carrer

  2. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Marcela de Mello Brandão Vinholis

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  1. Carlos Ivan Mozambani
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  2. Hildo Meirelles de Souza Filho
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  3. Marcela de Mello Brandão Vinholis
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  4. Marcelo José Carrer
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. CIM, MdMBV and MJC: The data collection and analysis were performed. CIM and HMdSF: The first draft of the manuscript was written, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Carlos Ivan Mozambani.

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Appendix

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Table 5 Sample counties
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Table 6 Poisson Model
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Table 7 correlation matrix variables
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Table 8 Pearson test goodness-of-fit poisson model
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Mozambani, C.I., de Souza Filho, H.M., Vinholis, M.M.B. et al. Adoption of precision agriculture technologies by sugarcane farmers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Precision Agric 24, 1813–1835 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-023-10019-7

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