Agricultural Extension Agents' Proclivity to Use Digital Technologies for Improved Extension Services in Imo State, Nigeria

This study assessed agricultural extension agents' willingness to use digital technologies (DTs) for improved extension services in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 70 extension agents were selected using a two-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected through a questionnaire on the agents’ knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits, constraints, and willingness to use DTs. Data were analysed using percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Findings show that 78.6% of the extension agents possessed high knowledge of DTs and 57.1% held a positive attitude towards their use. Nearly all respondents (98.6%) indicated that weather forecasting apps and precision agriculture tools help farmers make better farmingdecisions, while 94.3% noted that DTs ease outreach to remote areas. Erratic power supply ( ̅ =2.98) and high cost of digital tools ( ̅ =2.94) were the major constraints to the agents’ use of DTs. Overall, a slight majority (52.9%) of the respondents exhibited low willingness to use DTs in Imo State, Nigeria. Government and relevant stakeholders should improve rural electrification and subsidise digital tools for extension use to strengthen the delivery of digital extension services.