Exploring Barriers to Technology Adoption in Livestock Farming: A Descriptive Comparative Analysis Between Finland, Germany, and Albania
Exploring Barriers to Technology Adoption in Livestock Farming: A Descriptive Comparative Analysis Between Finland, Germany, and Albania

Author(s): Dorjan Marku, Ardita Hoxha-Jahja, Sara Pfaff,
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Livestock farming; Sustainability; Digitalization
Summary/Abstract: Ongoing developments in digital technologies have been the major driving force for improving productivity and sustainability in livestock farming, leading toward higher economic profits, increased safety standards, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. This paper provides insights into the implications related to the implementation of digital technologies in livestock farming. Through a quantitative survey were investigated the challenges of adoption, similarities, and differences among selected farmers in the regions of Northern Savonia (Finland), Baden Wurttemberg (Germany), and Korça (Albania). In Finland and Germany, the survey was conducted online; while in Albania farmers were contacted face-to-face through a structured questionnaire. A total of 166 participants’ observations were documented. The results show a low adoption rate for automated feeding systems, drones for data collection, and GPS for traceability in Finland and Germany. In Albania prevails a low rate of adoption almost in all types of defined technologies. Farmers in three countries indicated uniformly high investment costs and costs of maintenance services as important barriers to not using digital technologies. Differently from their counterparts, farmers in Albania identified the insufficiency of subsidies, lack of strategies to promote digitalization, poor data infrastructure (connectivity), and lack of skills and knowledge to run digital technologies as other significant barriers to adoption. Furthermore, a consistent policy framework that addresses the individual needs of farmers in the respective countries, provides adequate incentives and information and involves stakeholders is critical for determining the most efficient ways of digitization in livestock production.

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