Abstract

This paper examines the barriers to the adoption of Intelligent Agriculture (IA) in sub-Saharan Africa in response to the global challenge of food insecurity. IA offers a long lasting solution to enhance agricultural productivity and food security globally. However, its adoption faces significant obstacles. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying and offering practical and theoretical solutions to these barriers. This study adopted a quantitative method using a questionnaire. The research identifies 13 barriers to IA adoption in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), encompassing issues related to financial constraints, credit access, data accessibility and operability, cyber-attacks, communication, Internet access, technical expertise, planning, policy, requirements, cultural factors, and infrastructure. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), these barriers are categorized into four distinct dimensions: financial and resource constraints, policy and cultural challenges, communication, planning, and cybersecurity issues, and technological and regulatory barriers. These dimensions underscore the multifaceted nature of the challenges in IA adoption. However, a rank-order analysis was used to analyse the data that is related to the suggested solutions to the barriers to adoption of IA in SSA. The result showed that the participant most prioritised solution is financial support. This study is limited by the sample size as the dimensions extracted can be improved beyond 4. Moreover, the method of extraction can be also improved. Policy-related obstacles can hinder the alignment of IA with Sustainable Development Goals and regional commitments, making a comprehensive approach essential. Participants prioritize financial support, education, and collaboration among stakeholders as top solutions to these barriers.

Keywords: Intelligent Agriculture, Sub-Saharan Africa, Industry 4.0