Abstract
Globally, sugarcane is considered an integral crop given its use by individuals and industries for economic and dietary purposes. Regardless of the contribution and significance of sugarcane farming in South Africa, especially among smallholder farmers, there are still barriers that hinder growth and affect productivity. The decline in productivity is attributed to multiple factors, among them the limited use of IoT technologies by smallholder growers, high production costs, and poor infrastructure challenges.
The primary objective of the study was to investigate the barriers that hinder the adoption of Agri-IoT specifically in the Ndwedwe municipality in KwaZulu Natal. An empirical study inclusive of phenomenology and interviews with 15 participants was adopted for the study with the view of gaining detailed insight into the participants experiences so as to reach a sound conclusion on the barriers that hinder their adoption of the Agri-IoT. In interpreting and analysing the data, the study adopted a thematic analysis.
After careful consideration of the challenges faced by smallholder farmers as well as the perceptions of the participants, there are several barriers to the adoption of Agri-IoT. These include, but are not limited to: the high cost of implementation; security and safety issues; limited digital literacy among smallholder farmers; limited value and relevance of adoption; robustness; return on investment; and interoperability.
Smallholder sugarcane farmers in Ndwedwe are still relying on traditional methods of farming because they still believe in those low-cost methods, and with regards to implementing Agri- IoT, they have not received sufficient support that will serve their purpose and meet their needs.