BEHAVIORAL CHANGE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADOPTION: HOW DIGITAL AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS ARE RESHAPING PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S. POTATO INDUSTRY

Edem Avemegah; Jessica Goldberger; Derek Franklin; Katie Dentzman

Todos os Trabalhos

Trabalho

DOI

10.29327/9786527226680.1440745

Título do Trabalho

BEHAVIORAL CHANGE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADOPTION: HOW DIGITAL AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS ARE RESHAPING PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S. POTATO INDUSTRY

Autores

Edem Avemegah
Jessica Goldberger
Derek Franklin
Katie Dentzman

Modalidade

IRSA - Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (01/10/2025 a 20/01/2026)

Área temática

IRSA 34 - Diverse Transitions of Farming and Peasantries

Data de Publicação

06/08/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/sober-irsa2026/1440745-behavioral-change-and-technological-adoption--how-digital-agricultural-systems-are-reshaping-pest-management-in-

ISBN

978-65-272-2668-0

Palavras-Chave

Digital Agriculture, Neonicotinoids, Social Psychological Factors

Resumo

The evolving landscape of pest management in the U.S. potato industry, driven by potential regulation of neonicotinoids, will require growers to depend more on real-time information to make informed decisions about insect pest control. Neonicotinoids, a class of systemic insecticides, play a crucial role in managing various pests in U.S. potato farming. Their introduction marked a breakthrough in pest control, due to their ease of use, affordability, and versatility, making them a key component of modern insect management. However, concerns about their environmental impacts, such as harm to pollinators, including honeybees and bumblebees, and contamination of water and soil, as well as the development of insect resistance, have led to increased criticism. Consequently, these insecticides are under greater scrutiny from regulators, food and nursery retailers, and environmental advocates. Our study, which includes in-depth interviews, focus groups, and surveys with growers, agronomists, pest control advisors, extension specialists, and entomologists, explores the potential of a decision-aid system as a sustainable supplement to traditional pest control. By applying theories of behavioral adaptation and technology adoption, our research elucidates the social and psychological factors that influence changes in potato pest management practices. Our findings indicate that growers, agronomists, extension personnel, and entomologists see the usefulness of a decision-aid system for managing key insect pests in the absence of neonicotinoids. Results from our survey of Washington State (USA) growers indicate that social-psychological factors, such as attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, are positively associated with the intention to use a decision-aid system in the future. This work aims to enhance understanding of how agricultural stakeholders navigate the challenges posed by evolving environmental regulations while maintaining effective pest control in a complex, changing agricultural landscape.

Título do Evento: 16th World Congress of Rural Sociology and 64th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Rural Economics, Management and Sociology
Cidade do Evento: Porto Alegre
Título dos Anais do Evento: Anais do 64º Congresso da SOBER e XVI Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (IRSA)
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital
DOI

Como citar

AVEMEGAH, Edem et al.. BEHAVIORAL CHANGE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADOPTION: HOW DIGITAL AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS ARE RESHAPING PEST MANAGEMENT IN THE U.S. POTATO INDUSTRY.. In: Anais do 64º Congresso da SOBER e XVI Congresso Mundial de Sociologia Rural (IRSA). Anais...Porto Alegre(RS) UFRGS, 2026. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/sober-irsa2026/1440745-BEHAVIORAL-CHANGE-AND-TECHNOLOGICAL-ADOPTION--HOW-DIGITAL-AGRICULTURAL-SYSTEMS-ARE-RESHAPING-PEST-MANAGEMENT-IN-. Acesso em: 16/09/2026