고령 농업인에 적합한 농업신기술 확산: 딸기 고설수경재배 사례

The Diffusion of New Agricultural Technology Suitable for Elderly Farmers: A Case of Elevated Hydroponics for Strawberry Cultivation

This study investigates the effect of farmers` age on the diffusion of new agricultural technol-ogy with special reference to technology that suits the needs of elderly farmers in South Korea. The elevated hydroponic system for strawberry cultivation was selected as a model case of such technology because it is labor-saving and intensity-relieving compared to typical soil-cultivation. In the analysis for the determinants of farmers` technology adoption, a binomial logit model was applied to the survey data of 266 strawberry farmers. Empirical results confirm that, when we control for the individual farmer`s education level and technology acceptance level, the age of the farmers does not lower the adoption rate of the elevated hydroponic system. This implies that strategic development and diffusion of the elderly-friendly technology can be used as a measure to enhance the productivity of elderly farmers in rapidly aging South Korea.