<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Sustainable development of farms is determined by many factors and, in recent years, significance of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) has been pointed out, especially in terms of beneficial effects on economic performance and natural resources. Therefore, there is a need to answer the question about the application of AI technologies in small-scale farms, especially those with a relatively high level of sustainability. In order to obtain the information, a survey in Poland, Romania and Lithuania was carried out. Among the respondents, the 20 most sustainable farms in each country were selected using the CRITIC-TOPSIS method. Next, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore attitudes, behaviour and knowledge of AI.. The results show that small-scale farms in selected countries do not apply artificial intelligence. Although owners recognise and appreciate the benefits of AI, they are not convinced to implement this technology in their own business, they are not completely uncritical about using AI tools in the practice. The main obstacles are: low level of knowledge, misconception of the price of innovation or lack of capital for buying more advanced technology, low interest in implementing innovative solutions due the small scale of production or habituation to traditional production methods.</p>
</abstract>

Sustainable development of farms is determined by many factors and, in recent years, significance of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) has been pointed out, especially in terms of beneficial effects on economic performance and natural resources. Therefore, there is a need to answer the question about the application of AI technologies in small-scale farms, especially those with a relatively high level of sustainability. In order to obtain the information, a survey in Poland, Romania and Lithuania was carried out. Among the respondents, the 20 most sustainable farms in each country were selected using the CRITIC-TOPSIS method. Next, in-depth interviews were conducted to explore attitudes, behaviour and knowledge of AI.. The results show that small-scale farms in selected countries do not apply artificial intelligence. Although owners recognise and appreciate the benefits of AI, they are not convinced to implement this technology in their own business, they are not completely uncritical about using AI tools in the practice. The main obstacles are: low level of knowledge, misconception of the price of innovation or lack of capital for buying more advanced technology, low interest in implementing innovative solutions due the small scale of production or habituation to traditional production methods.

Are small farms sustainable and technologically smart? Evidence from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania

Poznań University od Economics and Business

Department of Macroeconomics and Agricultural Economics

Stanislaw Staszic State University of Applied Sciences

Central European Economic Journal

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Sustainable development of farms is determined by many factors and, in recent years, significance of modern technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) has...

Are small farms sustainable and technologically smart? Evidence from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania

Published Online: May 30, 2023

Page range: 116 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ceej-2023-0007

Keywords
small-scale farms, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, interview research, farmers opinions

© 2023 Sebastian Stępień et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Are small farms sustainable and technologically smart? Evidence from Poland, Romania, and Lithuania

Published Online: May 30, 2023

Page range: 116 - 132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ceej-2023-0007

Keywordssmall-scale farms, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, interview research, farmers opinions

© 2023 Sebastian Stępień et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
small-scale farms, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, interview research, farmers opinions