DETERMINANTS OF FARMERS’ WILLINGNESS TO UTILISE E-WALLET FOR ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Lack of access to information on agricultural input is a problem in Nigeria as in most developing countries. The e-wallet was introduced to extricate middlemen in input distribution. Efforts to eliminate middlemen in input distribution will enhance access to inputs. The study examined the factors affecting farmers’ willingness to use e-wallet for accessing agricultural information in Osun state, Nigeria. Thirty percent of registered farmers were randomly selected to give a total of 67 registered farmers, while snow ball technique was used to sample 77 non-registered farmers. Interview schedule was used to elicit information on farmers’ personal characteristics, farmers’ awareness of the component of e-wallet for accessing agricultural information, willingness to use e-wallet and factors affecting the willingness to use e-wallet for accessing agricultural information. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi- square, independent t- test and regression at P=0.05. The mean age of respondents was 34±9.5 years while 43.1% had tertiary education. Awareness of the components of e-wallet for accessing agricultural information was high for majority (71.5%) of the farmers. Willingness to use the e-wallet in accessing agricultural information was on the average for majority (53.6%) of the farmers. A significant relationship exists between respondents’ age (r=-0.06), level of education (χ 2 =9.273) and their willingness to use the e-wallet in accessing agricultural information. Willingness to use e- wallet in accessing agricultural information among registered and unregistered farmers showed significant difference (t= 5.877), with registered farmers being more willing. Farmers’ membership in cooperatives groups (β=0.36) and training on improved agricultural technologies (β=0.01) were factors that contribute to the use of e-wallet in Osun state with R 2 value of 0.25. The study recommends that extension agencies provide adequate training on the use of e-wallet to farmers. Keywords: E-wallet, willingness to use, access to agricultural information