Factors Influencing the Acceptance and Use of Internet of Things (IOT) by Thai farmers

Abstract

The capacity of agricultural production in Thailand can be significantly improved by strengthening farmers’ skills. This article aims to present the factors influencing the acceptance and use of the Internet of Things (IoT) among 120 Thai farmers who voluntarily participated in workshops organized by the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) across 10 target areas. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth group interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results reveal that extreme weather conditions, rising production costs, and declining product quality have become major challenges in the development of IoT-driven smart farming models. As a result, many farmers are now shifting their mindsets and actively seeking new opportunities to overcome existing and emerging challenges. A promising solution is the context-specific adoption of IoT technologies, tailored to local socio-agricultural conditions. This approach not only addresses current issues but also enhances farmers’ survival strategies and skill development. Two key groups have emerged in this process: farmers proficient in IoT and those using IoT-based systems. The study finds that the most influential factors driving IoT adoption among both groups include (1) efforts to raise plant-based production standards (2) reduction in production cost-related risks, and (3) supportive government policies promoting IoT use in agriculture-all with statistical significance at the 0.05 level.