Factors influencing the willingness to pay for agricultural information delivery technologies by cooperative-oriented agribusinesses in Rwanda: evidence from the Abahuzamugambi Coffee Growers Cooperative of Maraba.

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the factors influencing the willingness to pay for agricultural information delivery technologies among the farmers in the Abahuzamugambi Coffee Growers Cooperative located in Butare, Rwanda. Three hundred and six farmers responded to a questionnaire that included questions about their demographic characteristics and accessibility to agricultural information technologies. Results were computed using the mean and standard deviation. T-tests and analysis of variance were conducted to determine the relationship between farmers?? demographic characteristics and their willingness to pay for selected agricultural information delivery technologies. Findings indicate that there was a correlation between farmers?? willingness to pay for agricultural information delivery technologies and some of their demographic characteristics. The farmer-to-farmer delivery technology was the most preferred as reflected by the amount of money that farmers were willing to pay for it compared to expert visits, print, radio, and television. Therefore, this technology was considered to be the most compatible with farmers?? needs in general.