Innovative Downstream Technology in Agriculture; A Case Study on Rice and Shallot Commodities

Abstract

The pace of downstream agricultural technology implementation by the government currently legs behind the needs of farmers and the advancement of modern science and knowledge. This study aims to1) analyze institutional patterns in the downstream application of innovative technology in agriculture, 2) examine farmers’ responses to downstream innovative technology, 3) identify the factors influencing the success of downstream innovative agricultural technology. The research was conducted in two districts across two provinces from December 2022 to September 2023, with case studies focusing on rice and shallot commodities. Data were collected through a survey of 240 randomly selected farmer respondents. Data analysis was performed qualitatively and descriptively, involving both formal and non-formal institutions from the central to regional levels. The results indicated that: 1) formal and non-formal institutional support from the central to regional levels significantly affected the downstream process of agricultural innovation; 2) farmers’ response to rice cultivation technology was more favorable than that to shallot cultivation technology; 3) internal factors such as age, education, farming experience, and land area, and external factors such as access to capital, technology, and transportation influenced the success of downstream agricultural innovation. In general, a deep understanding of these factors is crucial for designing more effective strategies to promote technology adoption among farmers. The government should consider the local characteristics of farmers in downstream innovation to increase production and productivity, thereby enhancing farmers’ economic income.