Utilization of New Technologies and Artificial Intelligence in Sheep and Goat Farming in the Region of Western Macedonia
摘要
Sheep and goat farming faces many challenges including economic, social, environmental, and market fluctuations. The development of technology can provide solutions for various aspects of animal husbandry, such as animal health monitoring, nutrition optimization, disease prediction, livestock management, and decision-making. This paper aims to investigate the adoption of new technologies and artificial intelligence in sheep and goat farming, focusing on the usefulness, ease of use, and obstacles faced by farmers. For the implementation of this research, a questionnaire of 23 measurement items was developed, which was answered exclusively by 108 livestock farmers. Overall, the results showed that usefulness is a principal factor in the intention to use new technologies. Specifically, users who perceive new technology as useful are more likely to use it. By contrast, the ease of use of applications does not appear to have a significant effect on the intention to use. This suggests that users focus more on practical usefulness than on ease of use. Overall, SEM analysis showed that the model fits the data well. These results highlight the importance of usefulness as a key factor in the intention to use new technologies. Finally, according to the above, we conclude that promoting the usefulness and effectiveness of new technologies, combined with the training and support of livestock farmers, is critical for their successful adoption in the primary sector.