Enhancing agricultural value chains through technology adoption: a case study in the horticultural sector of a developing country

Abstract Background The development of agricultural value chains in developing countries has been the focus of much international interest, prompting the exploration of technology adoption strategies. These strategies hinge upon a multitude of factors like farmer characteristics, farm structure, location, organizational and institutional elements, as well as information-related factors. Purpose In this study, we delve into the influential social and productive factors that underpin technology adoption among small horticultural producers in Chile. Design/methodology/approach Data pertaining to the five primary horticultural crops in Chile—namely, corn, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and onion—were collected, considering their respective cultivated areas. A comprehensive evaluation of 13 technologies encompassing cultural practices, crop improvement, and irrigation was conducted. The methodological approach comprised two stages. Initially, an ordered probit model was employed to analyze the adoption intensity of cultural practices, crop improvement, and irrigation. Subsequently, a Kruskal–Wallis test was utilized to compare the means across technology adoption groups. Results The findings reveal a positive correlation between technology adoption intensity and the level of education, composition of the family nucleus, and investment intensity. Moreover, the production system’s location emerged as the most critical determinant for technology adoption. Conclusions The factors under scrutiny furnish direct and indirect evidence of their impact on the productivity and competitiveness of agricultural value chains. Thus, this paper significantly contributes to comprehending the role of technology adoption in designing and executing rural development strategies within developing countries.