Document Type : Research Article
Author
Department of Manegment, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Smart agriculture refers to the use of modern technologies- such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and other innovations- to enhance agricultural productivity. It represents a transformative paradigm in modern farming practices, leveraging advanced technologies to boost efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. At its core, smart agriculture integrates a diverse array of technological components, beginning with the deployment of sensors and IoT devices. Smart agriculture operates based on key principles such as resource optimization, precision and accuracy in farming practices, data-driven decision-making, sustainability, and integration with market access platforms. Virtual reality is transforming the way we experience and interact with digital content. By creating a simulated environment capable of replicating real-world scenarios, it offers unprecedented levels of interaction and immersion .In agriculture, virtual reality and augmented reality assist in training farmers through simulations of new farming methods, examining farm conditions to monitor plant and soil status, and simulating various scenarios. Digital transformation is defined as a process of fundamental change enabled by the innovative use of digital technologies combined with the leveraging of strategic resources and key capabilities aimed at radically improving an organization and redefining its value proposition for stakeholders. Digital transformation is widely regarded as a driver of change across all field particularly in business and impacts every aspect of human life that relies on technology. The term "transformation" encompasses the ability to recognize and undertake necessary actions when confronted with new technologies, and it should not be confused with simple change.
Materials and Methods
In terms of purpose, this study was applied, and regarding its methodological nature, it was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all agricultural producers in Ardabil Province. Given the infinite size of the population, a sample size of 384 was determined using Cronbach's alpha formula; these individuals were selected from the population via simple random sampling, and the research questionnaire was distributed among them. The validity of the questionnaires was assessed and confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, while their reliability was verified using Cronbach's alpha. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling with the aid of SPSS 26 and Smart-PLS 3 software.
Results and Discussion
Data analysis was conducted using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method with the aid of SPSS 26 and Smart-PLS 3 software. The findings indicate that virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital transformation have a positive and significant impact on smart agriculture. As an emerging technology in this field, virtual reality can enhance training, decision-making, system design, and farm management. Augmented reality technologies facilitate the simulation of various agricultural stages and methods, allowing collected data to inform relevant decisions; meanwhile, digital transformation by establishing technological infrastructure and fostering smart advancements, productivity gains, and resource optimization—creates a robust foundation for the development of smart technologies.
Conclusion
This study was conducted to analyze the roles of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies in the development of smart agriculture, with digital transformation serving as a mediating factor. It posits that, given the necessary infrastructure, virtual reality has a positive and significant impact on smart agriculture—a finding consistent with the results of research by Chatterjee et al. (2025). Accordingly, it can be concluded that virtual technologies play a significant role in the development of smart agriculture. Indeed, as an emerging technology in this field, virtual reality can facilitate improvements in training, decision-making, system design, and even farm management. Given the existence of the necessary infrastructure, augmented reality has a positive and significant impact on smart agriculture. This finding aligns with the results of research conducted by Sara et al. (2024). Accordingly, it can be stated that augmented reality plays a vital role in the development of smart agriculture by integrating the real world with digital data within agricultural processes; specifically, through the use of smart glasses or augmented reality-based applications, agricultural producers can visualize—in real-time and in a graphical format—data collected by specialized tools. Given the existence of the necessary infrastructure, virtual reality has a positive and significant impact on digital transformation. This finding aligns with part of the results from the study by Rath et al. (2019). Consequently, virtual reality can be considered a key technology in the process of digital transformation; by enabling users to be present in digital environments, this shift from mere viewing to actual experiencing renders human interaction with technology deeper, more natural, and more effective. Given the existence of the necessary infrastructure, augmented reality has a positive and significant impact on digital transformation. This finding aligns with the results of the study by Rath et al. (2019). Accordingly, it can be stated that augmented reality can play a crucial role in digital transformation. Given the existence of the necessary infrastructure, digital transformation acts as a bridge between virtual reality and smart agriculture. As a key technology within digital transformation, virtual reality transforms agriculture from a traditional activity into a smart, data-driven, and sustainable system.
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