Keywords
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of mobile phones and mobile applications on paddy cultivation in the coastal divisions of Ampara District, Sri Lanka specifically Akkaraipattu, Ninthavur, and Addalaichenai. Although Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is widely recognised as a transformative force in agriculture, empirical evidence from Sri Lanka’s leading paddy producing region remains limited. To address this gap, the study adopted a quantitative research design and employed Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test the relationships between mobile phone usage (PU), mobile application usage (UOMA), and paddy production and the socio-economic level of farmers (PPSELOF). Primary data were collected from 388 paddy farmers through a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS and AMOS. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed acceptable model fit (Normed χ² = 3.485, CFI = 0.981, RMSEA = 0.080). Path analysis revealed that both mobile phone usage (β = 0.366, p < 0.001) and mobile application usage (β = 0.289, p < 0.001) exerted statistically significant and positive effects on PPSELOF, supporting both hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that mobile technologies act as essential enablers of improved productivity, informed decision-making, and socio-economic advancement among rural paddy farmers. The study contributes context-specific empirical evidence to the discourse on digital agriculture in South Asia and offers practical implications for policymakers, extension officers, and technology developers seeking to design farmer-centred ICT interventions in Sri Lanka.