Adoption of digital tools in french beef cattle, pig, and vegetable farming: A mixed-methods analysis of motives, barriers, and structural determinants

Digital tools are increasingly recognized for their essential roles in enhancing farm productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness. However, their adoption remains uneven across different farming systems due to multiple structural and strategic constraints. This study analyzed the adoption of digital tools on French beef cattle, pig, and vegetable farms, three production systems that have received limited research attention. The objectives are twofold: to distinguish between farmers’ stated motives and the structural factors influencing adoption decisions and to formulate recommendations for targeted public policies. A mixed-methods approach was employed: semi-structured interviews with 49 farmers and logistic regression models using data from the 2020 French agricultural census. Two regions with a high prevalence of the three production systems - Pays de la Loire and Brittany- were selected and compared to the national level. Qualitative analysis identified key motives such as improved productivity, reduced workload, and environmental sustainability. Quantitative results showed that adoption was more likely among larger farms, and farmers involved in collaborative networks and collectives that facilitate resource sharing, participation in expert groups, training, and knowledge exchange, as well as among farmers with higher education levels. Conversely, smaller farms and those engaged in short supply chains faced greater barriers, including high costs, technological complexity, and limited internet access. However, in certain cases—such as vegetable farming—adoption requires higher levels of education and advanced technical and digital skills, particularly for decision-support and automation tools where precision and responsiveness are critical. In contrast, in livestock sectors such as pig and beef production, automation tools are often adopted by older and less-educated farmers as a response to labor shortages, primarily to reduce drudgery and automate repetitive, low-value tasks rather than to transform management practices. The study underscores the need for differentiated policy strategies to support equitable digital transitions across farm types. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers seeking to foster an inclusive and sustainable digital transition, which requires differentiated policy responses. Small farms, particularly those in vegetable production, need target financial and technical support to overcome cost-related and technological barriers. Beef and pig farms face structural and infrastructural constraints, underscoring the importance of broadband investment in rural areas. The factors influencing the adoption of digital tools are highly context-dependent, varying across production sectors and tool types. These findings highlight contrasting dynamics and reveal diverse relationships with technology, ranging from the pursuit of efficiency and labor substitution to strategic optimization. Policy support should therefore focus on governance and technical solutions tailored to production-system needs. Finally, regional dynamics such as higher adoption of decision-support tools in vegetable farms in Brittany and Pays de la Loire demonstrate that policies must be place-based, aligning infrastructure, advisory services, and innovation support with local contexts. • Focus on digital adoption in beef, pig, and vegetable farming systems. • Mixed methods combining interviews and 2020 French agricultural census data. • Farm size and cooperative membership strongly influence adoption rates. • Cost, connectivity, and complexity limit uptake on small and organic farms. • Targeted policies needed to support equitable digital transition in agriculture.