Assessing Digital Readiness for Agricultural Technology Adoption: An Index-Based Analysis of Smallholder Farmers in Puntland, Somalia

Background Digital agriculture (ICT4Ag) technologies are acknowledged for enhancing production, market accessibility, and resilience in low-income and post-conflict environments. Nevertheless, in circumstances such as Somalia, adoption continues to be restricted despite increasing knowledge. While current research highlights broad obstacles, there is a lack of empirical data on farmers’ preparedness. This study fills the gap by creating an index-based method to evaluate digital readiness among smallholder farmers in Puntland. Methods A cross-sectional analysis used primary data from 110 farmers in Bosaso, Garowe, and Carmo. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire addressing demographics, digital access, connectivity, literacy, and use of agricultural technologies. National-level statistics from the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics (SNBS) facilitated contextual analysis. A Digital Readiness Index (DRI) was developed using essential factors of access, connectivity, and user proficiency. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to investigate the correlations between digital preparedness and technology use. Results The study reveals that farmers’ overall digital preparedness is moderate yet inconsistent across regions. Urban areas like Bosaso and Garowe have elevated levels of device ownership, connectivity, and digital literacy in comparison to Carmo. A distinct disparity exists between awareness and actual use of digital technology, especially in Carmo, where awareness surpasses usage. The amount of education and smartphone ownership correlate positively with digital preparedness, whereas inadequate digital skills and elevated device expenses constitute significant obstacles. Conclusion The results show that both infrastructural accessibility and users’ preparedness to use digital tools successfully influence the adoption of digital agriculture in Puntland. The proposed Digital Readiness Index offers a systematic method for evaluating these circumstances and may facilitate the development of targeted interventions. Initiatives to advance ICT4Ag adoption must incorporate comprehensive methods that tackle both technological accessibility and human capacity to improve the efficacy of digital transformation efforts in agriculture.