INTEGRATING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INTO AGRICULTURAL SKILLS TRAINING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the integration of digital technologies into agricultural skills training for sustainable development among undergraduate students in tertiary institutions of Delta State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the growing need to equip future agricultural educators and practitioners with relevant digital competencies that enhance productivity, innovation, and sustainability in the agricultural sector. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, guided by two research objectives and their corresponding research hypotheses, which were tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The population comprised undergraduate students in tertiary institutions offering Agricultural Education and related agricultural programmes in Cross River State, from which a sample of 120 students was selected through stratified random sampling. The sample consisted of 60% females (72 students) and 40% males (48 students), drawn proportionately from the participating institutions. A structured questionnaire titled Digital Technology Integration in Agricultural Skills Training Questionnaire (DTIASTQ) was developed and validated by experts in Agricultural Education and Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, which yielded a coefficient of 0.86, indicating high internal consistency. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that digital technologies such as e-learning platforms, mobile applications, precision agriculture tools, and simulation software are moderately integrated into agricultural training programmes. However, challenges such as inadequate ICT facilities, limited digital literacy, and poor internet connectivity hinder effective implementation. The study concluded that integrating digital technologies significantly enhances students’ agricultural skills and contributes to sustainable development goals (SDG 4 and SDG 2). It was recommended that tertiary institutions strengthen ICT infrastructure, organize continuous digital training for students and lecturers, and partner with agricultural technology firms to promote innovative skill acquisition for sustainable agricultural practices.