The design of the profession to understand the appropriation of digital technology by farmers

Abstract

Given the the abundance of digital supply that promises significant benefits to the agricultural sector, sociological surveys conducted by ESA (French Higher School of Agriculture) with farmers reveal that they have not entered the digital age to any great extent. If the level of education is a discriminating variable to explain the appropriation of digital tools, it would be wrong to reduce the rejection of these innovations to a lack of knowledge. Some people refuse the integration of the digital because it is judged inconsistent with the representation that they have of their profession. Thus, direct contact and decision-making autonomy on the farm will be paramount for these farmers who will evaluate innovations in terms of their compatibility with their tastes and professional practices.