Soil nutrient analyzers are integral to precision agriculture, yet their adoption among smallholder farmers remains uneven. This study investigates the behavioral determinants of farmers’ adoption intention toward soil nutrient analyzers by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to incorporate technology awareness as an upstream construct. Survey data were collected from smallholder farmers with prior experience using soil nutrient analyzers in Chanthaburi, Kanchanaburi, and Udon Thani provinces in Thailand. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the direct and indirect effects of technology awareness on adoption intention through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. The results reveal that technology awareness exerts a significant direct influence on adoption intention and indirect effects mediated by both perceived usefulness and ease of use. In addition, perceived ease of use positively enhances perceived usefulness, reinforcing farmers’ willingness to adopt the technology. By empirically positioning technology awareness as a foundational driver within an extended TAM framework, this study advances understanding of smallholder farmers’ technology acceptance in precision agriculture. The findings offer practical insights for policymakers, extension services, and technology developers, emphasizing awareness-building initiatives and user-centered design to accelerate the diffusion of soil nutrient analyzers among smallholder farming communities.
Adisak Suvittawat (Fri,) studied this question.