Digital inventory management systems and the growth of agro farms in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Digital technologies are increasingly promoted as a way to improve stock handling and coordination on farms, yet evidence from Nigerian agro farms is limited. This study examines how digital tools, mobile applications, and software systems for inventory control relate to the productivity, profitability, and market expansion of agro farms in Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross sectional survey was conducted between February and August 2025 under a positivist, hypothetico deductive approach. A structured questionnaire with five point Likert items was administered to owners and managers of registered crop, livestock, and mixed farms selected through stratified random sampling, yielding 364 valid responses from 450 distributed. Reliability and construct validity were assessed, and hypotheses were tested using multiple regression at the 5 percent level of significance. The results show that IoT systems and digital monitoring systems are positively associated with productivity, with a reported indirect effect through inventory accuracy. Mobile stock tracking applications, cloud based farm inventory systems, and barcode and QR code applications are positively associated with profitability. Web based inventory platforms and enterprise level digital supply chain software are positively associated with market expansion. The study concludes that digital inventory control systems can support agro farm growth and recommends regular staff training and reliable internet connectivity at farm locations. Because the design is cross sectional and relies on self reported measures, the findings indicate association rather than causation.