A recent publication coauthored by the UzFarmBarometer project researchers highlights the growing impact of social media on farm performance in Central Asia. The study investigates the determinants and impact of farmers' participation in social media groups within the irrigated areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The research, based on a 2022 survey of cotton-growing farm managers, explores how farmers use social media groups for information exchange and the subsequent effects on their agricultural practices. The findings reveal that participation in these groups is influenced by various factors, including age, education, mobile internet access, and farm location. Notably, younger farmers with better mobile internet connectivity and those open to new technologies are more likely to engage in these digital communities.
The study underscores the significant benefits of social media group participation, which include improved access to timely and relevant agricultural information, enhanced decision-making, and increased farm productivity. In Kazakhstan, farmers participating in social media groups tend to be younger, better educated, and more connected digitally, while in Uzbekistan, the emphasis is on the practical benefits of mobile internet for farm business. These insights are crucial for developing strategies to promote digital technologies among farmers, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability in Central Asia.
The paper can be accessed here:
Kurbanov, Z., Tadjiev, A., Djanibekov, N., Akramkhanov, A., Govind, A. (2024) Farmers’ participation in messenger-based social groups and its effects on performance in irrigated areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Agribusiness. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21995
The policy brief based on this study can be accessed here:
Djanibekov, N., Kurbanov, Z., Tadjiev, A., Govind, A., Akramkhanov, A. (2023): Farmers' social media groups for better extension and advisory services. IAMO Policy Brief No. 46, Halle (Saale).
