Speaker
Description
This study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on agricultural productivity in Malaysia using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, exploring both short-run and long-run relationships while identifying key determinants of agricultural efficiency and barriers to ICT adoption. Utilizing secondary data from 1991 to 2023 sourced from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the study analyzes agricultural productivity, ICT adoption, capital, labour, land, and government expenditure. The ARDL model estimates the dynamic effects, supported by diagnostic tests to ensure robustness. Findings indicate that ICT adoption negatively affects agricultural productivity in the short run but offers potential long-term benefits, with capital and government expenditure positively influencing productivity, while land expansion negatively impacts it. Financial constraints, low digital literacy, and inadequate infrastructure are identified as key barriers to ICT adoption. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence from a developing country context and applying a robust econometric model. Its practical implications emphasize the need for targeted policies, such as digital literacy programs, financial support, and improved ICT infrastructure, to maximize ICT’s benefits in agriculture. By addressing research gaps and employing a dynamic modeling approach, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in Malaysia’s agricultural sector.
