Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Digital Technology: The Role of the ‘Agricultural Guide’ App in Improving Olive Farming Practices in Saudi Arabia

The Agricultural Guide application is a crucial component of the digital extension system in Saudi Arabia, providing modern and evidence-based information on sustainable agricultural practices to the farming community. The adoption of digital extension tools has been widely recognized as a key driver in enhancing crop productivity. This study aimed to assess the impact of the Agricultural Guide application on the adoption of sustainable olive farming practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The impact was evaluated by analyzing the farming practices of the users and non-users of the application, identifying key determinants of application usage through machine learning techniques. The study also analyzed barriers to its adoption. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from 229 olive farmers in the Al-Jouf region. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents were non-users of the application. Significant differences were observed between users and non-users regarding the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, including irrigation management, soil improvement, pest control, and harvesting techniques. Furthermore, farmers’ productivity, income levels, and digital information sources were significantly influenced by their usage of the application. A random forest analysis, with a predictive accuracy of 94.12%, identified key determinants of the application usage, including digital information sources, soil improvement practices, irrigation management, and education level. The study highlights the need for targeted educational programs under the supervision of the Agricultural Extension Department to enhance farmers’ awareness and knowledge of the Agricultural Guide application. Expanding its adoption within the farming community has the potential to significantly promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve overall agricultural productivity in Saudi Arabia.