The Influence of Human Resource Competence on the Implementation of Smart Farming in Horticultural Agriculture (Social and Economic Studies)

Ardianta Rabu, September 02, 2026
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FORMOSA NEWS

Human Resource Competence Drives Successful Smart Farming Adoption in Horticultural Agriculture

Modern smart farming adoption directly boosts the economic and social conditions of horticultural farmers. A scientific study published in June 2026 by Fadly S.J. Rumondor from Universitas Kristen Indonesia Tomohon, alongside Agus Supandi Soegoto, Joubert B. Maramis, and Hendra N. Tawas from Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado, reveals that human resource competence plays a vital role in accelerating smart agriculture implementation. The study, which surveyed 100 horticultural farmers in Tomohon City, North Sulawesi, demonstrates that digital technology mastery reduces operational costs, raises income, and fosters social progress, including higher digital literacy and stronger community collaboration.

Agricultural modernization through digital tools is essential to preserve food security and improve farmer livelihoods amid climate change, land constraints, and volatile market prices. Technologies such as soil sensors, automated irrigation, agricultural drones, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications offer resource efficiency and higher crop yields. However, technology adoption frequently stalls due to limited farmer skills and digital literacy. Consequently, this study evaluated how human capacity influences smart farming execution and how digital tools turn individual competence into tangible economic and social benefits.

To examine these dynamics, the research team from Universitas Kristen Indonesia Tomohon and Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado implemented a quantitative survey design involving 100 active horticultural farmers in Tomohon City who possessed at least two years of agricultural experience. Data collection relied on Likert-scale questionnaires and structured interviews. The researchers analyzed the data using multiple regression models across three empirical stages to measure direct and indirect relationships among human resource competence (knowledge, skills, and innovative attitudes), smart farming adoption, and socio-economic outcomes.

The statistical evaluation generated several key insights regarding workforce capacity and smart farming adoption:

  • Human Resource Competence Accelerates Adoption: Farmers' technological knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes toward innovation significantly drive smart farming implementation (coefficient of 0.65, $R^2 = 0.58$).
  • Dominant Economic Gains: Smart farming execution exerts the strongest direct influence on reducing production costs, enhancing yield efficiency, and elevating farmer net income (coefficient of 0.50), outpacing the direct effect of human resource competence alone (coefficient of 0.30).
  • Accelerated Social Transformation: Digital technology adoption significantly modernizes farmer mindsets, expands digital literacy, and strengthens collaborative farming networks (smart farming coefficient of 0.55 versus human resource competence coefficient of 0.25).
  • Mediating Mechanism of Smart Farming: Smart farming functions as a critical mediating variable; human capacity requires functional digital technology implementation to deliver maximum welfare improvements.

These empirical findings provide actionable insights for agricultural policymakers, technology providers, and rural development institutions. Government agencies must pair physical infrastructure distribution with tailored digital literacy programs to build long-term workforce competence. Agtech developers can leverage these insights to build user-friendly software and hardware adapted to smallholder needs. Socially, modernizing agricultural practices makes the horticulture sector more appealing to younger generations, encouraging sustainable rural enterprise growth.

Emphasizing the connection between workforce skills and digital tools, the research team from Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado and Universitas Kristen Indonesia Tomohon highlighted the need for an integrated development strategy. "Human resource competence serves as the foundational pillar that enhances farmer readiness, while smart farming acts as the primary mechanism translating that readiness into concrete economic gains and social welfare," noted Fadly S.J. Rumondor and his co-authors.

Author Profiles

  1. Fadly S.J. Rumondor, S.E., M.Si.: Lead author and researcher at Universitas Kristen Indonesia Tomohon, specializing in Human Resource Management, Agricultural Socio-Economics, and Rural Development.
  2. Prof. Dr. Agus Supandi Soegoto, SE., M.Si.: Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado, with expertise in Marketing Management, Strategic Management, and Agricultural Economics.
  3. Prof. Dr. Joubert B. Maramis, SE., M.Si.: Senior researcher and Professor at Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado, specializing in Financial Management and Regional Economics.
  4. Dr. Hendra N. Tawas, SE., M.Si.: Researcher and academic at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado, focusing on Organizational Behavior and Entrepreneurship.
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