Agricultural Power Journal
Vol 3 No 1 (2026): February, 2026

The Agricultural Digital Divide: Impact of Internet Penetration on Mechanization Adoption and Labor Productivity in Rural Areas

Fatmawaty, A. St. (Unknown)
Amruddin, Amruddin (Unknown)
Asie, Erina Riak (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Feb 2026

Abstract

The agricultural sector faces a structural divide between traditional practices and data-driven digitalization. This research investigates the influence of rural internet penetration on the adoption of modern agricultural machinery and its impact on labor productivity in Indonesia. Utilizing a quantitative framework, the study synthesizes official secondary data from national labor, digital development, and agricultural databases covering 38 provinces. Results demonstrate a significant positive correlation, where high-connectivity regions exhibit a 63.46% higher productivity index compared to digitally isolated areas. Path analysis reveals that internet penetration serves as a critical enabler, where gains in labor efficiency are predominantly mediated by the adoption of physical mechanization. However, low digital literacy in Eastern Indonesia remains a structural constraint. The study concludes that while rural internet penetration plays an important role in accelerating mechanization adoption, its effectiveness in improving agricultural productivity is highly dependent on digital literacy and the integration of digital infrastructure with mechanization practices.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

apj

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry

Description

Agricultural Power Journal (APJ), encourages submission of manuscripts dealing with all aspects to optimizing the quality and quantity of both plant, including agricultural economics and management, agricultural engineering and mechanization, agronomy and crop science, biotechnology, ecology and ...