Perceived Innovation Attributes and Adoption of ICT Tools Among Smallholder Paddy Farmers in Nepal

Abstract

Agricultural innovation and digital adoption are key drivers for transforming smallholder farming. In developing economies like Nepal, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools offer unprecedented opportunities to bridge information gaps in cereal crop production. This study analyzes the perceptions of paddy farmers from Jhapa, Kapilbastu, and Bardiya districts regarding the attributes of ICT tools used in paddy farming. A total of 390 paddy farmers, selecting 130 randomly from each district by using a multistage random sampling technique, were interviewed about their perception of relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, observability, and predictability of ICT. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, scaling techniques, chi-square, and F-test. The majority of respondents believed that ICT tools are more complex, require more skills, and face maintenance issues, which were viewed as barriers to adoption. Among the core innovation attributes, trialability and observability features emerged as the primary facilitators, while complexity functioned as the dominant perceived innovation barrier. Significant variations across the study districts in results indicated differences in socio-demographic, organizational, and institutional contexts. Additionally, this study clarifies the importance of co-operatives and local-level organizations to enhance adoption through access to credit and need-specific extension and implementation strategies to promote better adoption of ICT tools among paddy farmer.