Socio-Technical Dynamics of Smart Agriculture: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of IoT Adoption and Environmental Sustainability in Emerging Economies

Abstract

Smart agriculture, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), is reshaping agricultural productivity, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability in emerging economies. This study examines the socio-technical dynamics influencing IoT adoption in agriculture, focusing on technological readiness, institutional support, farmer literacy, infrastructure constraints, and environmental outcomes. It highlights how IoT-enabled systems—such as precision irrigation, sensor-based soil monitoring, and automated crop management—can reduce water usage, improve yield efficiency, and mitigate climate risks. However, challenges such as digital inequality, high implementation costs, and limited technical expertise restrict large-scale adoption. The paper proposes an integrated socio-technical framework that aligns policy, technology, and human capacity building to ensure sustainable agricultural transformation in developing regions.