Towards Digital Farming: Exploring Technological Integration in Agricultural Practices of a sample of Italian livestock farms.

Abstract

Despite the rapid rise of digital technologies in agriculture, their application remains more prominent in crop farming than in the livestock sector. Recognizing this gap, our study explores the current state and determinants of digital technology adoption across Italian livestock farms, examining key factors and broader trends in the industry. Using national agricultural census, and national statistical programme data, we applied a logistic regression model to assess the likelihood of adoption of technology. Findings reveal that large ruminant farms, particularly dairy cattle and buffalo, are more likely to integrate digital tools like decision support systems, cloud services, and monitoring devices. In contrast, meat cattle, small ruminants, and pig farms lag. Key determinants include broadband connectivity, ownership structure, education, and age, with additional factors influencing specific technology categories. Our results establish a foundation for future policy and investment, underscoring the need to build digital infrastructure and promote an inclusive model.