Fatores que afetam a adoção da agricultura de precisão e sua contribuição para a sustentabilidade na Região Oeste do Paraná.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the factors that affect the adoption of precision agriculture and its contribution to sustainability in the Western Paraná region. Data were collected by administering a Likert-scale questionnaire to 68 farmers in the region. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency assessment were used to analyze the data. The results showed high acceptance of technologies with visible operational effects in the field particularly drones and remote imagery, as well as autosteering and controlled-traffic farming and favorable evaluations of the use of sensors and climate data due to perceived water savings. By contrast, variable-rate systems received moderate support, indicating the need for field demonstrations and usage guidance tailored to local conditions. The main facilitators of adoption were confidence in the data generated by the technologies, the role of cooperatives in facilitating access, and the presence of young people in farm families. The main barriers were the initial cost of acquisition and implementation and insufficient connectivity on farms; fear of labor substitution appeared as only a minor concern. Differences were also observed among questionnaire items, with low internal consistency when aggregated into broad blocks, indicating the multidimensional nature of perceptions. This research may contribute to advancing knowledge on the topic in the region and offers a practical approach with concrete actions such as affordability mechanisms, expansion of rural connectivity, ongoing training and support programs, and demonstration trials amenable to implementation through public policies or targeted cooperative/private initiatives suited to the study context.