Future of smart greenhouses in Almería: Farmers' perspectives and fuzzy logic-based evaluation

Abstract

The adoption of automation technologies in intensive greenhouse agriculture is a key challenge for achieving greater efficiency and sustainability. This study explores the perceptions of farmers in Almería (Spain), Europe’s most prominent greenhouse region, regarding automation and robotics, identifying the main socioeconomic and technical barriers to implementation. A structured survey was conducted among greenhouse operators, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to examine correlations between automation levels and farmer characteristics. From this, a fuzzy logic decision-support system was developed to evaluate the feasibility of different automation technologies, based on three key factors: implementation cost, perceived safety risk, and expected efficiency. The model was applied to five real-world configurations, ranging from simple mechanized tools to advanced robotic systems. Results show that semi-automated, low-cost solutions with minimal risk are more likely to be adopted than high-end technologies, even when the latter offer greater functional capabilities. The study demonstrates the value of combining technical assessment with local knowledge to identify realistic and scalable pathways for agricultural innovation in greenhouse systems.