Determinants of digital technology adoption among small ruminant farmers in Terengganu, Malaysia

Vollständiger Abstract

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Digital technologies have the potential to improve livestock management by supporting more systematic record management and informed decision-making. However, adoption among small ruminant farmers remains limited, particularly within smallholder farming systems. This study examined the factors associated with computerised livestock record management adoption among small ruminant farmers in Terengganu, Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey involving 613 active goat and sheep farmers was conducted across eight districts in Terengganu using purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and binary logistic regression were employed for analysis. The bivariate results indicated that adopters demonstrated significantly higher levels of digital record-keeping practices and entrepreneurial readiness than non-adopters (p < 0.001 for both variables). Multivariable logistic regression showed that digital record-keeping practices remained the only significant predictor of adoption (B = 4.734, p < 0.001; AOR = 113.761, 95% CI = 51.851–249.588). In contrast, entrepreneurial readiness was not a significant predictor after controlling for digital record-keeping practices (p = 0.149). These findings suggest that systematic livestock record-keeping provides a key foundation for the adoption of computerised management systems among smallholder farmers. The study highlights the importance of strengthening routine record-keeping practices through extension and capacity-building programmes to support digital transformation in livestock farming.