Effect of the use of Agricultural Mobile Apps on Agricultural Productivity by Small-scale Farmers in Kabiyet Ward, Nandi County

Agricultural mobile applications have become vital tools in modern farming in enhancing productivity, market access, and information sharing among small-scale farmers. This study examined the effect of agricultural mobile applications on food production among small-scale farmers in Kabiyet Ward, Nandi County. The main objectives were to identify the most commonly used mobile apps, assess how frequently farmers use them, and evaluate their direct impact on agricultural productivity. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 350 randomly selected small-scale farmers through structured questionnaires and interviews. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, regression modeling, and chi-square tests. Results showed that mobile applications such as Plantix, iCow, DigiFarm, AgriCoach, and M-Farm were widely adopted, with 65% of respondents reporting increased crop yields and 50% noting improved livestock health. To determine whether app usage alone influenced productivity, regression analysis was conducted while controlling for other potential influencing factors, including education level, farm size, type of farming, and access to extension services. The regression output demonstrated that mobile app usage independently explained 72% of the variation in agricultural productivity, while none of the other variables showed statistically significant effects. The chi-square test (χ² = 45.23, p < 0.05) further supported a strong and exclusive association between mobile app usage and improved food production. This provides clear evidence that mobile app usage was the single most influential factor affecting farming outcomes. However, challenges such as limited smartphone access (40%), poor internet connectivity (35%), and low digital literacy (30%) continue to hinder full-scale adoption. The study concludes that agricultural mobile applications significantly enhance productivity and recommends investment in digital infrastructure, literacy training, and smartphone access to support broader uptake and impact.