Global Journal of Management and Business Research: E

Marketing
Volume 17 Issue 1 Version 1.0 Year 2017
Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal
Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA)
Online ISSN: 2249-4588 & Print ISSN: 0975-5853

A Study on Role of Social Media in Agriculture Marketing and

its Scope
By Prof. Bite Bhalchandra Balkrishna & Dr. Anand A. Deshmukh
Abstract- Social media is the new upcoming area in agricultural marketing that has blogs,
microblogs, pages, groups etc. This study adopted a descriptive research and the primary data
collection tools were structured questionnaire and in depth interviews from farmers who uses
social media.
From the analysis it is found that social media is very useful tool in agricultural marketing.
It saves time and cost of the farmers for getting information. Facebook is the most likely social
media for pages and profiles. YouTube videos are most popular for information getting with
applications. WhatsApp is is the handy use of social media and mostly preferred for related
groups. Many officials are having their official pages, blogs, and groups on social media and it
helps in getting information and solving the problems. Challenges were adoption of social media
as tool of marketing. People are less trusted on e-buying, e-selling of agricultural commodity on
social media.
Keywords: social media, information and communication technology (ITC), agricultural, farmers.
GJMBR-E Classification: JEL Code: M30

AStudyonRoleofSocialMediainAgricultureMarketinganditsScope
Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of:

© 2017. Prof. Bite Bhalchandra Balkrishna & Dr. Anand A. Deshmukh. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-
nc/3.0/), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
 A Study on Role of Social Media in Agriculture
Marketing and its Scope
α σ
Prof. Bite Bhalchandra Balkrishna & Dr. Anand A. Deshmukh

Abstract- Social media is the new upcoming area in is sharing information and creating awareness. The
agricultural marketing that has blogs, microblogs, pages, most popular social media among farmers is Facebook,
groups etc. This study adopted a descriptive research and the Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp etc. In addition to
primary data collection tools were structured questionnaire
use of social media is on personal basis, they tell their
and in depth interviews from farmers who uses social media.

2017
stories of success, failure etc., they also shares updates
From the analysis it is found that social media is very
regarding harvesting, post harvesting, promoting

Year
useful tool in agricultural marketing. It saves time and cost of
the farmers for getting information. Facebook is the most likely agricultural produce, market information, answering
social media for pages and profiles. YouTube videos are most problems of farmers if it is related to their known areas.
popular for information getting with applications. WhatsApp is Social media is very different form traditional media. The 33
is the handy use of social media and mostly preferred for users of social media are creating their own groups,

Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( E ) Volume XVII Issue I Version I
related groups. Many officials are having their official pages, pages, community, blogs to share information. In this
blogs, and groups on social media and it helps in getting group they are also selling, buying agricultural
information and solving the problems. Challenges were
commodities. It can be done by sending images,
adoption of social media as tool of marketing. People are less
trusted on e-buying, e-selling of agricultural commodity on
pictures, links, videos etc.This sharing of information
social media. facilitates the marketing of farmers produce and
Keywords: social media, information and communication formation of network. There are many blogs covering
technology (ITC), agricultural, farmers. agricultural marketing related information.
a) Definitions of Social Media
I. Introduction
A definition that focuses on the interpersonal

I
t is called as today’s world is world of ‘Social Media’. networking dimensions (e.g. Facebook) “We define
Various social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, social network sites as web-based services that allow
YouTube, LinkedIn, WhatsApp etc. are becoming individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public
greater ways of sharing information about agricultural profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of
produce and agricultural marketing. The use of social other users with whom they share a connection, and (3)
media in agricultural marketing is increasing rapidly now view and traverse their list of connections and those
days. Many service provider companies are giving better made by others within the system. The nature and
facilities to the farmers. Eg. BSNL is providing nomenclature of these connections may vary from site
mahakrishi plan. Social media allows users to to site.”
communicate directly with the customers, service For the purposes of this paper we are going to
providers; information sharing centers etc. farmers are use the following working definition:
using social media to increase their produce at each Social media enable people to create, publish,
stage. Social media and Information and share, collaborate, discuss and network through a wide
Communication Technology (ICT) starts sharing of range of new, mainly digital, formats and platforms.
creation, information and advices for the particular Different types of Social media: Blogs,
cause. Increasing networking of mobile phones in rural Microblogs (Twitter), Conversational threads, Social
areas, increases two way communication. Social media Photos, Social Networking (Facebook, LinkedIn), Video
is becoming powerful tool and connects millions of Sharing (YouTube). Metrics on Social
people globally. Farmers are using social media A main benefit of social media in agricultural
because it has ability to connect with farmers, marketing is ability to gain wealth of knowledge and
agribusiness, agri experts over a geographical distance. ideas, opportunity to establish key partnership,
Up to certain extent social media in agricultural opportunity to reach wider consumers, experts in
marketing provides solutions to the agricultural agricultural field.
marketing problems. The main purpose of social media Media: Internet, Mobile Phones, Networks.
Facebook: People have their own profile brand, pages,
Author α: (Research Scholar) Asst. Prof. AISSMS IOM, Pune-01. groups
e-mail: bhalchandrabite@yahoo.co.in
Author σ: Director, Global Institute of Management, Sangamner, Dist: LinkedIn: Connects with professionals, share information
A’nagar. e-mail: deshmukh_789@yahoo.co.in related or becomes a resources

© 2017 Global Journals Inc. (US)

 A Study on Role of Social Media in Agriculture Marketing and its Scope

Twitter: Follows agricultural marketing experts, tweets the social environment. The theory states that receivers
regularly, share information, join Twitter Charts. select the types of media and media contents to fulfill
YouTube: Upload / download videos related their needs. Uses and gratification links need
gratification to a specific medium choice that rests with
WhatsApp: Groups related to agricultural marketing
the audience member.
b) Challenges of Social Media use in Agricultural Social Media in agricultural marketing has a
Marketing positive impact on the interaction with consumers, the
1. Adoption of social media as a tool of agricultural company or brand awareness and sales (Conrad Caine
marketing. 2012; Uitz 2012)
2. There is a limited access to social media because of The use of social media in the field of
data, network etc. agricultural marketing offers great opportunities for the
3. There is a need of training and education about use buying, selling of agricultural commodities (Bitcom
of social media in agril marketing. 2012)
2017

4. People are less trusted on e-buying, e-selling of a) Objectives

Year

agricultural commodity on social media.

1. To study role of social media in agricultural
5. All the activities are restricted by time, technology,
marketing.
34 networks etc.
2. To study challenges of social media in agricultural
6. Cost of technology use in agricultural marketing is
marketing.
more.
Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( E ) Volume XVII Issue I Version I

3. To suggest various social media and their use.

II. Literature Review
III. Research Methodology
Social media overcomes geographical
This study is based on descriptive research
boundaries and creates communities who share
over a social media purposively because researcher
common interests. The users also seek out information
wants to know the use of social media who meets the
from traditional media social media platforms. Rhoades
characteristic of the study. For this study researcher
and Hall (2007) noted that there was a large presence of
selected 100 resonances randomly and focus group
blogs covering topics on agriculture. The study adopted
discussion for the collection of the data from the
the uses and gratification theory which explain the
farmers.
motivation that makes users choose a certain media to
satisfy their specific needs. These needs develop out of
Results and Findings of the study
The data shows that major respondents are from the age group of 30-40
Age (Yrs) Frequency % years i.e. 42 %. Below that the age group is 20-30 yrs i.e. 30%.

20 - 30 30 30
30 - 40 42 42
40 - 50 25 25
≥ 50 3 4

Gender Frequency % The data shows that major respondents are from the gender male i.e. 91 %
and female respondents are 9 %. While interviewing with farmers it is found
Male 91 91 that male farmers are getting more time to use social media as compared to
Female 9 9 female farmers

Education Frequency % The data shows that most of the respondents were non matrix i.e. 44 %
followed by Matrix i.e 30 %.
Illiterate 6 6
While interviewing with farmers it is found that farmers are able to operate
Non Matrix 44 44
mobile phones and social media on it.
Matrix 30 30
Graduate 16 16
Post Graduate 4 4

© 2017
1 Global Journals Inc. (US)
 A Study on Role of Social Media in Agriculture Marketing and its Scope

Do you have account on social media?

Yes 56 56 The data shows that most of the respondents have account on social media
websites.
No 44 44

Social Media

Parameter Frequency Rank The data shows that most of the respondents are having account on social
media. Most of them are using WhatsApp followed by Facebook and
Facebook 28 2
YouTube.
Twitter 12 4
YouTube 18 3

2017
LinkedIn 2 5

Year
WhatsApp 50 1

Frequently of visiting Social Media 35

The data shows that most of the respondents are visiting Social media daily

Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( E ) Volume XVII Issue I Version I
Parameter Frequency %
i.e. 41%.
Daily 23 41
Weekly 16 29
Fortnightly 12 21
Sometimes 5 9

Use of social media in agricultural marketing for

Parameter Frequency Rank

Information seeking 34 1
Sharing information 12 5
Selling / buying of agri commodity 13 4
Solution of problem 28 2
Market rates 21 3
Branding of agri commodity 9 6

The data shows that most of the respondents respondent it is found that farmers are seeking
are using social media for information seeking followed information on YouTube videos, because the visualize
by Solution of problem. From the interview of the the thing.
How likely are you to view pictures / videos that are posted on social media?

Very Likely Likely Neutral Unlikely Very Unlikely

12 21 7 12 4

The data shows that most of the respondents are likely for to view pictures / videos that are posted on social media.

© 2017 Global Journals Inc. (US)

 A Study on Role of Social Media in Agriculture Marketing and its Scope

Problems in using social media in agricultural marketing

Parameter Frequency Rank

Adoption of social media as a tool of agricultural marketing. 21 4
There is a limited access to social media because of data,
45 1
network etc.
No training and education about use of social media in agril
35 2
marketing.
People are less trusted on e-buying, e-selling of agricultural
34 3
commodity on social media.

Findings 4. Mangold, G. W. and Faulds David, J. (2009), ‗

2017

IV.
Social media: The new hybrid element of the
Year

Many organizations are having their official promotion mix‘, Business Horizons 52, 357 – 365.
pages, blogs, and groups on social media. It is having 5. Corcoran, Cate T.; Feugere, Stephane (2009),
36 prompt response for the question. It saves time and ‗Brands aim to adapt to social media world‘.
cost of the farmers. Farmers getting right information on Women's Wear Daily, Vol. 198 Issue 66, p20
right time. For example weather report. Network
Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( E ) Volume XVII Issue I Version I

providing companies are giving more data in lesser

prices. It helps farmers to browse more. Young farmers
believes more on use of social media in agricultural
marketing. They seek more information on YouTube and
Facebook. WhatsApp is the most likely app among
farmers.

V. Conclusion
The results of the study shows role of social
media in Agricultural Marketing is dominated by males.
The age group of farmers is following most between 30-
40 yrs who are using social media effectively. Most of
the farmers are using mobile phones nowadays with
internet and social media applications in it. Farmers are
making use of social media for innovative practices,
sharing information etc. the most popular social media
in agricultural marketing is Facebook, YouTube,
WhatsApp, Twitter and LinkedIn. Most of them login to
social sites daily. Various problems in use of social
media in agricultural marketing is studied. These social
media outlets also provide a platform for those who do
not approve of modern agriculture practices.

References Références Referencias

1. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network
sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of
Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), article
11.
2. Babu S, Glendenning.C, Okyere.K &
Govindarajan.S. (2012).Farmer Information Needs
and Search Behaviour. Case Study in Tamil Nadu
India, IFPRI.
3. Gakuru, M; Kristen W. & Stepman, F. (2009).
Inventory of Innovative Farmer Advisory Services
Using Information Communication Technologies.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa.

© 2017
1 Global Journals Inc. (US)