Exploring the impact of financial inclusion on smallholder farmers' welfare through banking kiosks: LESSONS FROM BancABC Kiosk in Mutoko Centre.

Author
Dumba, Nyasha
Title
Exploring the impact of financial inclusion on smallholder farmers' welfare through banking kiosks: LESSONS FROM BancABC Kiosk in Mutoko Centre.
Abstract
Attaining financial inclusion among smallholder farmers in rural areas is one of the goal in developing countries to reduce financial inequality between rural and urban areas. This study sought to explore the impact of financial inclusion on smallholder farmers’ welfare through banking kiosk: lessons from BancABC Kiosk in Mutoko Centre. To achieve the main aim, the study focused on assessing current financial services offered with BancABC kiosk to smallholder farmers in Ward 29 Mutoko, current challenges faced by smallholder farmers towards sustainable financial inclusion and evaluating impact of financial inclusion through BancABC kiosk on smallholder farmers’ livelihood outcomes in Mutoko Ward 29. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to conduct a survey from a sample size of 60 participants. Questionnaires, interviews and focus discussion were used to collect data. Findings shows that BancABC kiosk is offering financial services which are being accessed differently by smallholder farmers. Financial services being offered such as loans are promoting agricultural production, food security, risk management, empowerment and gender equality. Challenges such as higher interest rates, vulnerable to climate change and limited access to financial services. A recommendation was therefore made that, financial institutions should offer services specifically for smallholder farmers which meets their demands such as no-minimum balance account since some of them do not have monthly salaries. Also policies should protect consumers from higher interest rates and promote 24/7 mobile banking so that financial inclusion is obtained without geographical barriers.
Date
June 2025
Publisher
BUSE
Keywords
Financial Inclusion
Farmers' Welfare
Banking Kiosks
Supervisor
Dr. J. Makambanga
Item sets
Department of Sustainable Development
Media
Dumba, Nyasha.pdf

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