As an agribusiness, you want to sell Agri products to farmers. 

But you face consistent pressures from global competition. It’s because commodities are the same in different places, such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. 

That makes agriculture marketing a considerable challenge, especially in India. Why is that? Because in Indian agricultural marketing, various mediators exploit farmers.

Which is the best way to market agribusiness in India? 

In this guide, we answer questions like that and many more. 

Let’s get started. 

What is the size of agriculture in India?

Before we jump into the agricultural marketing system in India. We must understand the market and expanse of agriculture in India. 

By 2025, Inc42 predicts that the Indian agricultural sector will be worth US $24 billion. 

The Indian food market is the world’s sixth largest, with retail contributing around 70% of sales. 

In the fiscal year, 2022 India’s total food grain production is at 149.92 million tonnes.  

Moreover, technology adoption is now stimulating the Indian market. This includes blockchain, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, drones, and remote sensing technologies. 

India’s future depends on agricultural technology.

Read: 8 Tips To Make Your Audio Conferencing More Fun and Engaging

Exports in the 2022 fiscal year were: 

• Exports of marine products were around US $6.12 billion
• Exports of rice (basmati and non-basmati) were US $6.12 billion
• Sugar exports were US $2.78 billion
• Tea exports were US $570.15 million
• Coffee exports were US $719.95 million

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All this data points towards India being a fertile location for agriculture.

But, with all this also comes a set of problems in the agriculture sector in India. 

Let’s take a look at that.

What are the problems with marketing agriproducts in India? 

India’s agricultural business comes from rural areas. Hence here are a few problems agribusinesses face when operating in India.

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• Lack of marketing skills and resources: This business struggles with reaching customers. So, agribusinesses must embrace new strategies and spend a lot of money and time. You’ll also need a marketing team that is diverse and well-versed in rural India. 
• High levels of competition: The size of agribusiness in India makes it difficult for smaller companies to push into the market. Also, marketing becomes a costly affair when you are competing. 
• Logistics in getting your products to farmers: Most of India’s farmers are in rural areas. Selling your products to consumers is a lot more difficult. The problems include storage, the freshness of your product, and limited shelf life. 
• Too many intermediates: Agribusinesses deal with many middlemen. The middlemen will sell your product, making it difficult for you to reach your customers. Middlemen may also offer products/services. 

Now that you are aware of the problems riddled in India’s product market in agriculture. It’s time we focus on the agricultural trends in India. 

Read: 3 Must-Have Online Tools For Every Agribusiness in India

What are the latest trends in agricultural marketing in India?

It is vital to market agricultural products. To boost economic growth, productivity, and consumption levels.  

To help this process, farmers and businesses have started working on a few great ideas. 

Here are a few trends in agricultural marketing in India. 

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• Expanding markets: A well-planned marketing strategy increases the market for your products/services. It also helps you distribute them to remote locations. The market’s growth helps increase demand and guarantee a high income. 
• Increase in farm income: The marketing system guarantees high-income levels by reducing middlemen. Direct access to farmers ensures product and service delivery. Hyperlocal agribusiness has increased farmers’ output. It streamlines income and builds brand trust. 
• Going the D2C way: Agribusiness start-ups offer customised experiences to farmers. They also provide receipts, discounts, deliveries, and more. The digital revolution is enabling agribusiness startups. To provide farmers with better shopping experiences.
• New employment: Agribusiness marketing in India is creating a new ecosystem. It employs millions of workers in a wide range of activities. This is adding to the booming economy of agribusiness and farming.

Now that we know about the agricultural marketing trends in India. Let’s move to understand how you can market your agriproducts in India. 

How can you market your agriproducts in India?

India is an evergreen market for agribusinesses. For your agricultural marketing, here are a few new strategies that you can use. 

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• Incentivise your customers: You offer products and services as an agribusiness. For farmers, new products and services can be overwhelming. Responsible businesses incentivise customers. You could train farmers to use your tools. You could also organise symposiums and training sessions to upskill your farmers. 
• Collaborations with government: Collaborating with the government is one of the best strategies. It helps the traders, your customers, and the middlemen. As the government takes up responsibilities and conducts programs beneficial for them. This provides visibility to your products.  Also, acts as an opening for farmers to try your products and services from the government.
• Price it right: As a business, you must ensure that customers can approach you.  The more you form a specific customer base, the more farmers distance yourselves. Instead, price your products and services affordable to the farmers. Moreover, you can introduce other methods. This includes EMIs and loans to help customers buy your service or products. 

We covered strategies that will help you with agribusiness marketing. The bigger question is how to communicate with your customers to sell these products. The answer is in the next section. 

How can you communicate with farmers?

Here are a few tips on how you can communicate with farmers. Also, how can you integrate them into your sales and marketing strategies? 

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• Conduct surveys: Gather customer data through surveys to understand their pain points and offer specific solutions. The quickest way is 1:1 interaction, but radio and newspapers can also be used. 
• Use interactive features: To increase the reach of your communication. You can utilise different mediums and tech. In rural areas, communication via phone, radio, and meets is very effective. 
• Take follow-ups: Having a follow-up is crucial. This helps your brand garner loyalty and trust. It also helps you keep up with the competition. 

There are more ways you can communicate with farmers. You can make it easy for yourself. By reading this article that goes in-depth into communication best practices. 

Now that you know the strategies to use for communication with your customers. It’s time to understand the pitfalls and problems of agriculture marketing in India. 

What are the pitfalls and problems of agriculture marketing in India?

You must avoid several pitfalls at all costs only if you want your agribusiness to succeed. 

Here is a list of a few of them: 

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• Lack of planning and research: As an agribusiness, you must have a business plan. A plan that can identify and manage business risks. You must ensure that you plan and research your idea before launching it. A refusal to have a plan could lead to costly mistakes and cripple your entire business. Prepare for the unexpected and plan for the expected. 
• Lack of market information and knowledge:: Customer segment identification is crucial. This is when you know how you’ll sell your product. With this knowledge, you’ll create a successful business strategy. A lack of understanding or market research could spell doom for your business. 
• Lack of a strong team: You need to hire the best. Simple as that. A strong team is a foundation for your business. This involves hiring employees with the right skills to help your business scale. Without the right team, you’ll see a sharp decline in productivity and profitability. 

To learn more about the pitfalls and how to avoid them in agribusiness. You should read this detailed article to help you navigate and prevent them.

After you avoid the pitfalls, it’s time you learn about the tools you need to have for the success of your Agri company. 

What are the tools every agri company must-have for effective marketing?

Agribusiness and agricultural marketing in India rely on tech and tools. So here are a few that you need for your agribusiness. 

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Grptalk

This audio conferencing app allows you to connect with 50,000+ people. All at once without needing the Internet. Grptalk uses a normal cellular network and an app to enable hosts to launch a conference call. The call triggers a normal call on your participant’s phone; by answering it, they can join it. You can use this tech to get feedback from your customers, train them, conduct Q&A, and even connect with leads. This tool lets you take complete advantage even in remote areas. 

SMSCountry

SMS services are a must-have tool in agribusiness. SMSCountry is an all-in-one platform for business messaging. It offers SMS, voice SMS, OTPs, and much more. With this tech, you can instantly send real-time info to your customers, from weather updates to promotions. SMSCountry has you covered. 

Read: How to Start and Run a Successful Agribusiness?

Spreadsheets

A simple yet essential tool for any agribusiness. Spreadsheets help you and your business.  You can use it for budgeting, analysis, forecasting, and reporting. Not only that, you could use it for marketing and production goals. There are several spreadsheet software available. Our pick is Google Sheets, which is free and easy to use. 

We have also explored these products with specifications, features, pricing, and use cases. You can read more about it at  3- must-have online tools for every agribusiness in India. 

Kickstart your agribusiness today

There is nothing as exciting as starting your agriculture business. 

Although it may seem difficult. Following this guide will help your agriculture business grow in India. 

In this journey, you will need tools, especially for agricultural marketing in India. 

Grptalk is the solution for all your conferencing needs. Without the internet, you can even connect to the most remote places.

Check out grptalk today. You could even book a demo, or if you’re hands-on, you can use grptalk with free credits and see if it works for you.