DIGITAL AGRICULTURE ADOPTION AND RURAL WELFARE TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Rural welfare transformation remains a major challenge in Nigeria, despite the country’s vast agricultural potential, as many rural households continue to experience low income, limited access to services, and persistent vulnerability. This study examines the effect of digital agriculture adoption on rural welfare transformation in Nigeria, focusing on mobile phone ownership, access to agricultural information, and internet use. The objective is to determine how these digital factors contribute to improving rural livelihoods. The study adopts a quantitative research design using panel data from the Nigeria Living Standards Measurement Study Integrated Surveys on Agriculture, covering the period 2015 to 2024. A sample size of 357 households was determined using Krejcie and Morgan, while panel regression techniques were employed alongside descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and diagnostic tests. The findings reveal that all explanatory variables have positive and statistically significant effects on rural welfare transformation. Access to agricultural information has the strongest impact, followed by mobile phone ownership and internet use, indicating that improved access to information and communication technologies enhances rural livelihoods. The results further confirm that digital tools facilitate better decision making, market participation, and income stability among rural households. The study concludes that digital agriculture adoption is a key driver of rural welfare transformation in Nigeria. It recommends expanding mobile access, strengthening agricultural information systems, and improving rural internet infrastructure to enhance digital inclusion and promote sustainable rural development.