Effect of digital technologies on the productivity of rice farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Aim: Rice production in Nigeria falls short of domestic demand, increasing reliance on imports. Digital technologies could enhance productivity through improved information sharing, planning, and decision-making, yet adoption among rice farmers is limited and underexplored. This study examines the effect of digital technologies on rice productivity in Kwara State, Nigeria. Methods: Primary data were collected from 151 farmers using a three-stage sampling procedure. Analysis employed descriptive statistics, regression models, sigma scoring, and Likert scales. Results: Results indicate mobile phones are the most widely adopted digital tool; their use, particularly for communication with extension agents, was significantly associated with higher rice productivity. Key determinants of adoption include age, household size, digital awareness, farming experience, and access to finance. Despite its benefits, adoption is constrained by the high cost of digital technologies, poor network coverage, unreliable power supply, limited access to extension services, and poor access to credit. Conclusions: The study concludes that digital technologies are associated with higher rice productivity, but their transformative potential is curtailed by infrastructural and institutional limitations. Policy recommendations include strengthening digital literacy, expanding rural network coverage, and improving access to credit to promote wider adoption, increase productivity, and support food security and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.