Research Article 2026-04-21 posted v1

Telemetry in digital agriculture: Adoption drivers and interoperability barriers among German farmers

M
Marius Michels Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
H
Hinrich Ilse Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Abstract

Telemetry systems enable the continuous transmission of machine-generated data and are an important component of digital agriculture. Despite their technical potential, empirical evidence on the practical use of telemetry in agriculture remains limited. This study investigates the adoption of telemetry technology among German arable farmers using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The analysis is based on sixteen semi-structured expert interviews with farmers and agricultural contractors conducted in autumn 2024, evaluated through qualitative content analysis. Results show that telemetry is primarily used for administrative tasks such as work monitoring, automated documentation, and fleet management. While farmers associate telemetry with improved efficiency and reduced workload, measurable economic benefits are rarely quantified. A major barrier is the limited interoperability between manufacturer-specific platforms, leading to fragmented data environments and additional costs. Improving interoperability and strengthening advisory support may be crucial for realising the full potential of telemetry-based farm management.

Citation Information

@article{mariusmichels2026,
  title={Telemetry in digital agriculture: Adoption drivers and interoperability barriers among German farmers},
  author={Marius Michels and Hinrich Ilse},
  journal={Research Square},
  year={2026},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9455683/v1}
}
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