Determinants of farmers’ use of the Internet in agriculture: A case study in Quang Nam province of Vietnam

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a vital role in driving positive change in agriculture and rural development. However, in Vietnam, ICT adoption in agriculture, particularly Internet usage, is still limited. This study explores the factors affecting Internet use among farmers in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. Data from 217 farming households were gathered through a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire and analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, where four communes were randomly selected from the two districts of Nam Giang and Nui Thanh, followed by the selection of farming households using a systematic random sampling method. Results revealed that 57.6% of participating farmers used the Internet. These Internet-using farmers generally had higher incomes, experienced less food insecurity, and faced a lower poverty rate compared to non-users. Influential factors promoting Internet usage included education level, age, agricultural diversity, off-farm income, participation in community-based organizations, engagement in credit programs, perceived usefulness, and subjective norms. On the other hand, perceived personal risks and costs negatively impacted Internet use. This study enhances understanding of what encourages Internet use in Vietnamese agriculture, supporting initiatives to boost productivity and income.