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Economic and policy analysis of smart agricultural systems

Agriculture 4.0: Technological Adoption, Drivers, Benefits and Challenges in Italy. A Descriptive Survey

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  • Cosimo Pacciani,
  • Eleonora Catellani,
  • Andrea Bacchetti,
  • Chiara Corbo,
  • Federica Ciccullo,
  • Marco Ardolino
Cosimo Pacciani
Politecnico di Milano
Eleonora Catellani
Department of Management Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Andrea Bacchetti
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia
Chiara Corbo
Department of Management Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Federica Ciccullo
Department of Management Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Marco Ardolino
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-17382

Published 2025-07-14

Keywords

  • agriculture 4.0,
  • smart farming,
  • digital agriculture,
  • survey

How to Cite

Pacciani, C., Catellani, E., Bacchetti, A., Corbo, C., Ciccullo, F., & Ardolino, M. (2025). Agriculture 4.0: Technological Adoption, Drivers, Benefits and Challenges in Italy. A Descriptive Survey. Bio-Based and Applied Economics. https://doi.org/10.36253/bae-17382

Copyright (c) 2023 Cosimo Pacciani, Eleonora Catellani, Andrea Bacchetti, Chiara Corbo, Federica Ciccullo, Marco Ardolino

Creative Commons License

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

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Abstract

This study aims to examine the current state of awareness regarding Agriculture 4.0 (A4.0) among Italian agricultural enterprises and to analyse variations in adoption levels, expressed needs, perceived benefits, challenges and barriers to digitalisation. Drawing on data from a descriptive survey conducted among Italian farms in 2024, this study presents findings from 1,248 respondents. The results indicate varying levels of adoption of A4.0 solutions, with monitoring systems and connected vehicles being the most widely implemented. The primary drivers for A4.0 adoption include farm management, operational control, and the enhancement of production efficiency, all of which are associated with significant perceived benefits. However, challenges such as limited interoperability and skill shortages hinder A4.0 implementation, while financial and structural constraints remain major barriers for farms seeking to transition to A4.0. This study offers valuable insights to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in fostering a more effective and inclusive digital transformation in the Italian agricultural sector.

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