Beyond Adoption: Drivers, Challenges and Farmer-Led Recommendations for Sustained “Internet of Things” (IoT) Use in Malaysian Smallholder Farming

  • Nur Ain Yaacob Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang Selangor, Malaysia 2Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Persiaran Seremban Tiga 1, Seremban Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Shaufique Fahmi Sidique School of Business and Economics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Nik Ahmad Sufian Burhan Department of Social and Development Science, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Ahmad Hanis Izani Abdul Hadi Department of Agribusiness and Bioresource Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v18i1(J).4805
Keywords: Adoption, Challenges, Internet of Things, Recommendation, Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Smart farming technologies are essential for enhancing food security and the welfare of the farmers. The Internet of Things (IoT) facilitates real-time monitoring and administration of agricultural activities. In Malaysia, IoT is vigorously endorsed through the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 and Agriculture 4.0, yet its implementation and sustained utilization are inconsistent. Previous research has mostly emphasized quantitative determinants of adoption, leaving farmers' lived experiences largely unexplored. This study examines the factors, obstacles, and farmers’ generated suggestions for the adoption of IoT among farmers in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. In these two central region states, smart farming efforts are vigorously encouraged. A semi-structured interview was performed with 10 farmers who had utilized IoT for over one year, and the data were thematically analyzed to discern factors affecting acceptance, obstacles faced, and farmers’ suggestions. The results indicated that adoption is influenced by perceived utility, user friendliness, institutional and external assistance, elevated expenses, technological apprehension, and operational challenges. To strengthen the adoption, they recommended strengthening system usability, augmenting technical support and accountability, securing ongoing government backing, broadening training options, offering financial aid, and presenting solutions that demonstrate the real value.

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Published
2026-03-14
How to Cite
Yaacob, N. A., Sidique, S. F., Burhan, N. A. S., & Abdul Hadi, A. H. I. (2026). Beyond Adoption: Drivers, Challenges and Farmer-Led Recommendations for Sustained “Internet of Things” (IoT) Use in Malaysian Smallholder Farming. Information Management and Business Review, 18(1(J), 65-77. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v18i1(J).4805
Issue
Vol 18 No 1(J) (2026)
Section
Research Paper

Copyright (c) 2026 Nur Ain Yaacob, Shaufique Fahmi Sidique, Nik Ahmad Sufian Burhan, Ahmad Hanis Izani Abdul Hadi

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