Determinants and Constraints to Rice Farmers' Willingness to Use Digital Extension Tools in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1013-5568Keywords:
Digital extension, Willingness, Determinants, Constraints, Technology Acceptance ModelAbstract
ABSTRACT
This study identified the digital extension tools available to rice farmers, the factors influencing their willingness to use these tools, and the constraints to their use in Lafia Local Government Area (LGA), Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 100 rice farmers selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure and analysed using multiple response analysis, binary logistic regression, and Likert constraint analysis. Results showed that mobile phone voice calls (91%), SMS messages (76%), and WhatsApp (62%) were the most accessible digital extension tools. The binary logistic regression model was statistically significant (χ² = 43.82; p < .001; Nagelkerke R² = .547; correct classification = 76.0%). Perceived usefulness (β = 0.604; p = .001) and perceived ease of use (β = 0.558; p = .001) were the strongest predictors of willingness, followed by access to credit (β = 0.597; p = .005), extension contact (β = 0.496; p = .008), educational level (β = 0.306; p = .007), and cooperative membership (β = 0.472; p = .019); age was not significant (p = .074). High cost of mobile data (mean = 4.21), poor network connectivity (mean = 4.08), and low digital literacy (mean = 3.96) were the top-ranked constraints. The study concludes that the Technology Acceptance Model constructs perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, together with institutional support factors, are the dominant drivers of willingness, and recommends subsidised data access, local-language advisory content, targeted digital literacy training, and cooperative-based dissemination of digital extension services in Lafia LGA.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abubakar Onoja Salami, Abdulrafiu Tayo Yusuf, Ezra Sokogaye Anamayi, Usman Bello Mohammed, Susan Ojone Shuaibu, Badarudeen Sani Abdulazeez
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
