Title: Investigating Farmers' Perceptions and Intentions to Use Mobile Technology in Promoting Mobile Money Adoption in Iringa District Council.
Authors: Nicodemus Ngondola, Alberto Gabriel Ndekwa , Alexander Ochumbo
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 64-80
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
In recent years, mobile technology has become an essential tool for financial inclusion, transforming how communities particularly in rural areas access and manage financial services. This study investigated farmers' perceptions and behavioural intentions toward mobile technology in facilitating mobile money adoption in Iringa District Council, Tanzania. Using a qualitative survey approach with a sample of 200 farmers, the research explored three key areas: perceptions of mobile technology and its usefulness, behavioural intentions toward adoption, and socio-economic and contextual factors influencing adoption. Findings revealed that a significant proportion of farmers perceived mobile technology as useful for enhancing financial transactions, improving efficiency, and providing secure access to funds, although challenges related to ease of use, trust, and security persisted. Behavioural intentions were shaped by willingness to adopt, motivational drivers such as convenience, social influence, and economic benefits, as well as barriers including fear of errors, lack of awareness, and dependency on intermediaries. Socio-economic and contextual factors, including digital literacy, infrastructure, and cultural norms, further mediated adoption patterns, highlighting that technology uptake was influenced by both individual capabilities and social-environmental conditions. The study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of technological, social, and behavioural determinants of mobile money adoption among rural farmers, offering a foundation for targeted interventions to enhance financial inclusion and digital empowerment in agricultural communities.