Farmers’ Awareness and Use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Selected Communities in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Enugu State

Abstract

The study determined farmers’ awareness and use of automated tellermachines (ATMs) in some selected communities in Enugu NorthSenatorial Zone of Enugu State. Interview schedule was used to collectdata from a sample size of sixty (60) respondents using purposiveselection. Percentage, frequency, and mean scores were used inanalyzing data. Majority of the respondents were aware of bank account(95.02%), withdrawal booklet (91.7%) and ATM card (81.7) while fewwere aware of ATM function keys (41.7%) and ATM cash dispenser(20.0%). The main sources of information on ATMs were bank personnel(80.0%), friends and neighbours (75.0%), family members (73.3%). Othersources were newspaper (43.3%), schools (36.7%) and extensionworkers (18.3%). A greater percentage of farmers (55%) indicated theuse of ATM for cash withdrawals while other transactions includedtransfer of funds (16.7%) and paying bills/fees/taxes (15.0%). The seriousconstraints to the use of ATM included fraud (M=1.65), charges on theuse of ATM (M=1.22) and network problems (M=1.22). Perceived benefitsof the use of ATM included time saving (M=2.85), cash withdrawal(M=2.70), easy access (M=2.60) and greater efficiency (M=2.45). Thestudy recommends that public awareness should be created throughworkshops, seminars and conferences as well as mounting multiplesecurity cameras and security guards to reduce fraud.