Mobile Banking and Financial Literacy Among Tanzanian Farmers: Usage Patterns and Agricultural Productivity Enhancements

Mobile banking services have proliferated across Africa, offering rural populations access to financial services that were previously unavailable. In Tanzania, mobile banking is increasingly used by farmers for managing their finances and accessing credit, but its impact on financial literacy and agricultural productivity remains underexplored. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. Data were collected from a stratified sample of farmers across Tanzania's major agricultural regions, ensuring representation of different socio-economic backgrounds. Mobile banking usage among surveyed farmers ranged from occasional to daily transactions, indicating its widespread adoption as a financial tool in rural settings. Farmers who used mobile banking reported higher levels of financial literacy compared to non-users, with approximately 70% achieving basic financial knowledge scores post-training sessions facilitated through the platform. The findings suggest that mobile banking can serve as an effective medium for enhancing financial literacy among Tanzanian farmers, which in turn leads to improved agricultural productivity. However, challenges such as digital divide and limited access still hinder full adoption of these services. Given the positive outcomes observed, there is a need for further development and expansion of mobile banking platforms tailored specifically for rural agricultural contexts. Additionally, training sessions should be regularly conducted to reinforce financial literacy skills among farmers who are already using these services.