Farmers' Willingness to use Digital Extension Tools and its Effect on Rice Output in Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This study assessed farmers' willingness to use digital extension tools and its effect on rice output 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 descriptive statistics, a five-point Likert scale, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Results showed that farmers were predominantly male (64%), married (68%), and middle-aged (mean age = 43 years), with a mean farm size of 1.4 ha and 14 years of farming experience. The mean willingness index was 3.87 (SD = 0.74), indicating moderate-to-high willingness, with perceived ease of use ranked lowest (mean = 3.58). The OLS model explained 56.1% of the variance in rice output (R2 = .561; F(6, 93) = 19.847; p < .001). Willingness was the strongest standardised predictor of output (β = .404; p < .001), followed by farm size (β = .381; p < .001), educational level (β = .218; p = .006), extension contact (β = .187; p = .018) and farming experience (β = .174; p = .024); age was not a significant predictor. The study concludes that farmers' willingness to use digital extension tools significantly enhances rice output in Lafia LGA and recommends digital literacy training, subsidised rural internet access, and the integration of digital advisory services into formal extension delivery.