A number of counters at rythu bazaars greet visitors with Paytm signboards these days. Though some of the farmers got the app downloaded on their mobile phones, not many are finding it convenient to transact through the e-wallet.
Farmers, who visit the city from neighbouring settlements to sell their produce, find it difficult to make use of the facility, defeating the very purpose. While a few of them do not have access to smart phones and Internet, a majority of them are averse to learning digital lessons. Chinnamulu, farmer from Marrivalasa, says except receiving calls, she doesn’t know how to use her mobile phone.
“Keying a contact number itself is a big task for me. How can I make a business transaction through mobile app?” she asked.
Those armed with smart phones not only embrace technology but also are quick enough to switch over to digital transactions. “Fortunately, we understand the process and get into the groove as quick as possible. However, it is not the same case with the farmers as they hardly know to read or write,” said P. Venkateswarulu at the District Cooperative Marketing Society Ltd, MVP Rythu Bazaar, indicating that he had already made transactions worth Rs.25,000 through e-wallet.
Committee member of MVP Rythu Bazaar and legal advisor P. Bhaskar Rao said appropriate training was required to educate farmers on making digital transactions as most farmers continue to use thumb impression instead of signature.
A few vendors, who have been transacting through Paytm, said they were not completely aware of the mobile payment mode. “Till now, I have received payments worth Rs.3,000. However, I could not credit the amount into my bank account as I don’t know how to do it,” said K. Sudhir, vendor at Seethammadhara Rythu Bazaar.
Senior vice-president of Paytm Deepak Abbot said, the merchant enrolments for the mobile wallet across the country for the past two months have crossed 6.80 lakh and there are no charges levied on digital payments till January 31. “We are organising awareness camps on how to transact through Paytm across the country, including video presentation.” he said, adding that the training programme will be intensified in the coming days.
