Adoption of Technology for Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Systems: A Review

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a vital nutrient for plants, essential for photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and formation of nucleic acids, which stimulate plant growth and fruit development. Although application of nitrogen fertilizer has increased significantly since the Green Revolution, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has remained low at around 33%, indicating that almost two-thirds of applied nitrogen is lost to the environment. This leads to soil, air and water degradation, ultimately reducing agricultural productivity. The aim of this research is to determine the factors influencing the adoption of nitrogen management technologies in agriculture through a review of the existing literature. The research questions focus on identifying the major users of the N fertilizers, and examining whether the adoption is related to socio-economic conditions, educational background, landholding size, attitude of farmers, and environmental factors. It also explores the practices which enhance NUE and the attitudes that influence adoption of improved management practices that foster efficient use and minimize the extent of use of these fertilizers. The study screened 260 publications from the Scopus and Web of Science databases based on the PRISMA method, and reviewed 61 sources that met the criteria. This research contributes to SDG 12 and 13 and focuses on an integrated participatory approach. It emphasizes the role of individual characteristics in adoption of technology and recommends economically feasible and sustainable technologies supported by innovative financing mechanisms and government initiatives. The study highlights the importance of integrating user-friendly technologies and transformative agricultural services that will address the actual requirements of smallholder farmers. These measures will ensure food security while preserving ecosystems.