International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation (5 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Factors influencing the acceptance and use of financial digital technologies among smallholder farmers in Ghana  
  by Raymond Akantege, Agus Rahayu, Chairul Furqon, Puspodewi Dirgantari 
  Abstract: This study sought to investigate the factors influencing the intention and use of financial digital technologies among smallholder farmers in Ghana. The study used semi-structured questionnaires to collect data from 225 smallholder farmers in selected communities in the Central Region of Ghana. Descriptive statistics was used in analysing the data. The study found that the factors that influence the acceptance and use of FDTs among SHFs in Ghana are performance expectation, social factors, effort expectation, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit of users and these are moderated by age, education, years of experience and farm size. The study recommended that the Government of Ghana should continue driving the digitalisation and financial inclusion agendas to help make DFTs more accessible to rural SHFs. Key stakeholders such as Fintech companies including telecommunication companies, financial institutions should help the government in reaching out to especially the rural people with DFTs.
  Keywords: financial digital technologies; acceptance and use; smallholder farmers; SHFs; Ghana.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2023.10062955
   
  
• Value co-creation of hotel business from the perspective of service ecosystem: connecting the services and experiences of agriculture  
  by Mai-Rong Wang, Chun-Liang Chen 
  Abstract: Facing the post COVID-19 era, with dramatic changes in the environment and changes in consumer behaviour, how to break through business difficulties and challenges is the key issue. How to use the new concept of service-dominant logic to create a new service ecosystem with partners is an urgent topic that needs to be addressed. This study is an exploratory case study for The Place Taichung Hotel. The findings are as follows: first, innovate service experience design, create a beautiful customer experience, and drive partners to benefit and coexist together. Second, implementing the value proposition of core industry innovation not only enhances internal human resource management, but also optimises the external service delivery system of the service ecosystem. This study also suggests that enterprises induce service exchange patterns and derive value co-creation through a series of actor interactions. In particular, this study found that integrating the agricultural experience into the hotel service ecosystem, through the creative curation and co-marketing of hotel firm and leisure farms, will stimulate the interdisciplinary innovations of hotel business.
  Keywords: service ecosystem; agritourism; agricultural innovation; value co-creation; value proposition; service-dominant logic; hotel management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.10062525
   
  
• Optimising agricultural practices with machine learning: a comprehensive review  
  by R. Deepa, A. Sivasamy, S. Selvam 
  Abstract: The agricultural sector is witnessing a growing utilisation of machine learning (ML) across a range of applications, including yield prediction, crop classification, disease detection, pest monitoring, irrigation management, and soil analysis. ML algorithms can analyse large volumes of data generated from various sources such as remote sensing, weather stations, and soil sensors to provide insights and recommendations that can improve the efficiency and productivity of agricultural systems. The use of AI and deep learning techniques in agriculture has shown promising results in improving crop productivity, disease and pest detection, soil analysis, and irrigation management. In this article, a survey of deep learning and artificial intelligence techniques in agriculture is presented to provide valuable insights into the latest advances and applications. Finally, a conclusion regarding open challenges, and directions for future research are presented. Deep learning and AI have the potential to revolutionise the way we approach agriculture, leading to more efficient and sustainable: 1) crop yield prediction; 2) weed and pest detection; 3) disease detection; 4) precision agriculture; 5) robotic farming. Overall, the use of deep learning and AI in agriculture has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity, leading to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural industry.
  Keywords: deep learning; AI; image processing; machine learning; agriculture.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.10062864
   
  
• Research on cross-border e-commerce marketing strategy and entry mode of agricultural small- and medium-sized enterprises in Taiwan  
  by Chun-Liang Chen, Yifan Ding, Tze-Fei Huang, Mei-Lin Huang 
  Abstract: In recent years, scholars in the field of management have shown a growing tendency to pay attention to the issues of cross-border e-commerce. However, many of the contributions devoted to this topic are purely theoretical advances, lacking contributions that augment the core concept of e-commerce development through observable real phenomena in the society. Through a multi-case study approach, this study explores the different types of agricultural small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in the cross-border e-commerce based on the practical background of entry mode of foreign markets. Research results found that cluster collaborations allow agricultural SMEs to learn from one another. A single agricultural SME may guidance from experienced SMEs can help with a bold first step towards the target market. When agricultural SMEs engage in cross-border e-commerce, their products, brands, and channels form the golden triangle of cross-border e-commerce and influence one another. In addition, agricultural SMEs expand overseas markets with three brand strategies: cobrands strategy, line extensions strategy, and brand extensions strategy.
  Keywords: agricultural SMEs; cross-border e-commerce; marketing strategy; entry mode; international marketing; brand strategy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.10062783
   
  
• A smart greenhouse for monitoring high valued commercial plant  
  by Joseph Carl Angeles, Marco Polo A. Toledo Jr., James Maynard Ordoñez, Edwin R. Arboleda, Rjcalquolutz B. Ulatan 
  Abstract: This paper outlines the design and development of a smart greenhouse for monitoring propagated Philodendron billietiae through stem cuttings. The prototype was able to cultivate the plant inside the greenhouse successfully. The sample Philodendrons were separated into two groups, one group was grown inside the greenhouse while the other was grown outside the greenhouse. Ensuring that the both of them were properly taken care of by abiding the parameters researched. The Philodendra were observed for 56 days, 14 days per 4 pots, totalling to 16 pots per group. The average growth rate of stem height, leaf length, and leaf width was then compared through independent t-test. The greenhouse is connected to an IoT app for further monitoring of its humidity and temperature.
  Keywords: smart greenhouse; Philodendron billietiae; IoT; humidity; temperature.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2023.10063594