Adoption of ICT in the Greek livestock sector : results of a rurvey in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Abstract

Our research team has carried out a series of studies over the last years to identify the use and impact of Internet as well as adoption of ICT in the Greek agricultural sector. A survey that we conducted two years ago examined a number of agricultural organisations and enterprises developed an Internet presence through a web site. Results of the survey indicated that the Internet is utilised and applied in non-professional way and has not yet satisfied many key expectations. These results clearly illustrated that the impact of the Internet is quite small and further initiatives and financial support from governmental organisations are required. Also the results revealed that the Greek farmers must adopt ICT in a larger capacity in order to provide the right environment and the critical mass allowing larger investments. Since we have identified that larger adoption of ICT by Greek farmers is a prerequisite for further development of IT in agriculture, we decided to conduct a study that examines the socioeconomic and other reasons confronting Greek farmers to adopt ICT in larger capacity. This paper presents and critically discusses the results of that survey which was focused in the Greek livestock sector