Willingness to Pay for Training on Digital Tools among Professionals in Agricultural Institutes in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the willingness to pay for training on digital tools among
professionals in agricultural institutes in Kwara State, Nigeria. Data were collected
using a structured questionnaire from 125 professionals who were randomly
selected across the chosen organisations based on probability proportion to their
faculty staff strength. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and binomial
logistic regression. Results showed that the professionals were aware of, and
considered digital tools such as Google meet, Google form, Microsoft teams,
Google classroom, Kobo tool box, Google slides, Canva and STATA as important
to their jobs. The factors influencing willingness to pay for training on digital tools
were age (ß =-0.1212, p˂5), gender (ß =0.8293, p˂10), educational level (ß
=0.2072, p˂5) and membership of professional association (ß =1.4171, p˂10). The
constraints to the use of digital tools in order of severity were inadequate training
opportunities, high cost of technologies, poor network connectivity, inadequate
funds and poor technical know-how. The study concludes that professionals in
agricultural institutes in Kwara State were aware of digital tools and they also
considered them as important to their jobs. Age, gender, educational level, and
membership of professional association significantly influenced the willingness to
pay for training on digital tools. The study therefore recommends that
professionals should leverage on their professional associations for more training
on digital tools. Also, their organizations should provide more training on digitals
tools to their staff while giving special consideration to the female professionals.