Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Potential of Eco-Weeding with High Power Laser Adoption in the Farmers’ Perspective

Version 1 : Received: 12 February 2024 / Approved: 13 February 2024 / Online: 13 February 2024 (05:21:13 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Michaliszyn-Gabryś, B.; Bronder, J.; Jarosz, W.; Krupanek, J. Potential of Eco-Weeding with High-Power Laser Adoption from the Farmers’ Perspective. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2353. Michaliszyn-Gabryś, B.; Bronder, J.; Jarosz, W.; Krupanek, J. Potential of Eco-Weeding with High-Power Laser Adoption from the Farmers’ Perspective. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2353.

Abstract

Agriculture and rural regions in Europe face a number of economic, social and environmental challenges. Rural areas are active players in the EU’s green transitions. Weeding is one of the most important factors of agricultural production. New weeding techniques are being developed to enhance sustainability. Among them laser based weeding seems a promising alternative for use of chemicals. WeLASER technique is a novel technique of weed control. Its successful implementation depends on many factors related to the innovation itself, policy context, farming conditions and users’ attitudes. Survey was carried out to provide the insight on the attitudes toward the innova-tive (laser) weed control tool (device - autonomous robot). The CATI method was selected for the survey of farmers opinion and carried out in three countries: Denmark, Spain and Poland. Statistical methods were applied to analyze the results. The study provided knowledge on how farmers see the barriers and opportunities of implementing the device in practice. Positive attitudes of farmers were observed but with high expectations related to quality of the technique and systemic conditions of its implementation.

Keywords

Laser; weeding technique; autonomous robot; sustainable agriculture; CATI survey

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

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