An empirical investigation of barriers to the adoption of smart technologies integrated urban agriculture systems

Emerging technologies integrated Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA), such as Smart controlled environment agriculture (SCEA), an innovative form of crop cultivation that encourages sustainable, localized food production and security. However, due to perceived barriers by stakeholders, the adoption of SCEA initiatives is constrained in India. This research aims to explore the barriers to the smart transformation of UPA, examine them, and construct a framework to assist decision-making. The framework was developed using Total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) and Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC). The findings revealed that cultural barriers, supply chain uncertainty, policy and regulations, and institutional support were driving barriers; technology and infrastructure, cold chain logistics, and environmentally sustainable practices were dependent barriers. The findings of this study will aid policymakers, government officials, urban farmers, and farming technology suppliers in developing a legal framework for adopting alternative food-growing technologies to achieve Sustainable development goals (SDGs).