Buying Behavior Of Consumer For (biological Supplement (sprang)..pbpl

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Certificate of originality

This is to certify that the summer project titled “BUYING BEHAVIOR OF THE CONSUMERS FOR SPRANG” is an original work and is being submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of the Masters Degree in Management Studies of University of Mumbai. This summer project report has not been submitted earlier either to this university or to any other affiliated college of this university or to any other university/institution for the fulfilment of the requirement of the MMS course .

Signature of the student

Place:Date:-

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Acknowledgement Completing the project work is never one-man effort. It is often the result of valuable contributions of a number of individuals in a direct or indirect manner that helps in shaping and achieving stated objectives. This project report bears the imprint of those who had rendered their wholehearted support and encouragement without whose help this effort of mine would be in vain. I express my deepest gratitude to our Director Dr. M. I. KHAN for giving us such an opportunity in our curriculum to carry out independent research and understand the market to the fullest extent. My special thanks to Prof. S. P. DAS for providing extremely valuable inputs in the very early stage of my project and helping me understand the objectives of the study. I pay my sincere respect and gratitude to Mr. ARUN BALKI sir for guiding me throughout the project and helping me to improve the study and enhance the absorption of the subject matter with greater depth, insight and detail. The completion of this project would have been extremely difficult without the never ending and sincere help from my colleagues at VIVA IMS. The primary survey would never have been completed in NAGPUR without help and support of Mr. GAIKWAD sir from PBPL. Finally I thank the Almighty for creating an aura of favourable situations for me and guiding me throughout the pathway. Last but not the least, my endless appreciation goes to my family and friends who has stood by my side and given me moral support whenever I was low and boosted my will power.

Aniruddha A. Mohitkar MMS- Marketing VIVA IMS, VIRAR

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Table of content

Chapter 1

Contents INTRODUCTION

Page number 5

 Organisation profile

5

 Management structure

7

2

 Products  Plant  Capacity Problem statement

8 18 19 19

3

 Objective of the study  Scope of study  Research methodology  Literature review Findings

20 20 20 28 29

4

Suggestions

30

5

Conclusion

32

6

Bibliography

32

7

Questionnaire sample

3

8

Appendix

32

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Executive summary We have been experiencing the benefits of green revolution which started in the mid of 1960s on experimental basis. Result was increase in production of wheat and rice making India a self sufficient country in terms of food production. Today Y-O-Y agriculture growth (output) stands to around 3 %, governments strive hard to maintain the existing rate as well as increase the same to 4%. Every year the land under the agriculture is decreasing, the agriculture sector is gripped in many problems. Thus there is a need to increase the agricultural output along with quality in available land mass. Mr. Arun Balki found an opportunity with the same objective and floated a company by name “PROOTHVI BIOTECH PRIVATE LIMITED” (PBPL) which trades in a product by name SPRANG made from seaweeds, it claims to increase output by almost 30% or more if used along with fertilisers under ideal conditions. PBPL today is a very well known company in the biological supplements sector in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. On the path of hard work and sincerity PBPL signifies the quality and purity of its products. So with the naked benefits seen with the application of the products, now a days there is a huge demand of the product in south and west India along with some parts of Maharashtra (western Maharashtra). Marketing expansion in progress for North & East India. This project report gives the brief idea about the, “BUYING BEHAVIOR OF THE CONSUMERS FOR SPRANG”, especially farmers and dealers of the agriculture products. Looking at the present scenario the methodology that has been executed to collect accurate data is through the survey of Nagpur and parts of Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra with the help of well designed questionnaire and the immediate responses of the farmers, dealers and distributers which shows the overall attitude of consumers towards the use of biological supplements in their farming activities. Based on the findings through the survey, the conclusion that can be drawn is the company should focus on the structure of its communication channels to design the strategies and implement the same in accordance with the locations and the demand of the biological supplements. Farmers are not aware of product, so company should design the strategies in order to create the awareness about the product. 4

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.Introduction:Marketing is the continuous or ongoing process of defining anticipating and creating consumer needs and wants or organizing all the resources of the enterprise to satisfy consumer demand at the desirable profits to the integrated business activities designed to develop marketing plans and programs leading to the satisfaction of consumer want. The total potential demand is very high for biological supplements taking into account the area cultivated. But in real situation, demand is much less due to various factors. To increase the market demand farmers have to be educated thoroughly. To feed the growing population in India, intensive efforts are to be needed to step-up food production from the present level of 200 million tones to 240 million tones by 2010 AD Seventy percent of the world’s poor live in rural areas and most of them depend on agriculture. Presently, 800 million people in the developing countries, or 15 percent of the total world population, are insecure in their food supplies. The projected world population by 2025 A.D 8.35 billion. This growth is believed to bring natural resources and food supplies under further pressure. In fact population growing at a much faster rate than food production needs drastic action to increase yield. At Present looking towards use of chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides which is showing its effects on soil structure and textures also on the health of human beings. 1.1 Organisation profile:Founded in the year 2005 with the objective of developing innovative solutions for the agriculture business/ crops, through new quality biological products for agriculture use, proothvi biotech today is the well known company in biological supplement market in south and west India. PBPL is the Manufacturer of eco-friendly and non-hazardous Agricultural inputs like Plant Growth Promoters, Bio pesticides, Bio fertilizers, and Micronutrients. Biotechnology revolution is only beginning and presents unique set of ethical, safety, healthy solutions. Proothvi Biotech today is playing key role by manufacturing and marketing ecofriendly and non-hazardous, growth promoters, bio pesticides, bio fertilizers and micronutrients. 5

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.1.1 Chairman’s desk :Mr.Arun S. Balki, the Chairman of Proothvi Biotech Private limited (PBPL) founded the company in the year 2005. He is Postgraduate of Agriculture Soil Science. He worked with Wockhardt limited right from the launching of their agro-division and made the Biozyme product brand leader in his operational areas. He worked in the managerial capacity right from beginning of his marketing carrier and having very rich experience of agro marketing for 25 years. Arun Balki is a major promoter of company and is looking after all activities as a chairman & Managing Director of Proothvi Biotech Private limited. He also has very good business management skills and very deep financial understanding. His Integrity, Commitment and speed following the highest standards of professionalism. Chairman focused on our important goal-providing quality products to the farmer. His Vision is to develop PBPL as manufacturing and marketing specialized eco-friendly and non-hazardous products of best quality range like Biological growth promoters, bio pesticides and bio fertilizers and Micronutrients for Agriculture. PBPL also strengthening advance R & D wing for quality assurance. PBPL plans to go for global marketing and achieve 20 million dollars turnover by 2015. PBPL has already started an export of Sprang from March 2007.PBPL already has three biological products in pipeline to expand product portfolio by 2008. Chairman has built reputation of trust and faith amongst his peers and customers. He is a driver for Innovation, Creativity, Inspiration and hard work across organization. We deliver products and services that meet the needs of our customers and contribute to the sustainability of agriculture. Proothvi Biotech Private Limited. believes that 'the growth of India is directly related to the growth of the rural areas'. Farmers being the central focus of rural India, it becomes necessary to deliver them products and services that meet the needs of customers and contribute to the sustainability of agriculture.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.1.2 Vision:“To establish Proothvi Biotech Private Limited among the most innovative, value based farmer-focused company. Our aim is to win constantly the trust and respect of the farming community. We believe that 'the growth of India is directly related to the growth of the rural areas'. We at PBPL are committed to enhance the quality of life of the farmers by providing them Innovative, eco-friendly solutions with highest level of competence, systematic approach using modern technologies.”

1.2 management structure:-

CHAIRMAN

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

MARKETING SUPERVISOR

FACTORY SUPERVISOR

SALES PERSONS

WORKERS

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.3 Products:-

In the first phase PBPL launched Sprang foliar, Sprang Germinator and Sprang granules. Second phase launch of Micronutrients and Bio fertilizers like Phosphate Solubilising Biofertilizers, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, and In Third phase Bio pesticides etc by 2009. Proothvi Biotech had successfully launch product “SPRANG” in 9 states of South and West India. Marketing expansion in progress for North & East India. Company also supplying bulk Sprang to few quality cautious companies in India with brand name Crysopa & Biogene. PBPL had already started export in Malaysia and expected to start three more countries in next six months. The efficient production of food to meet the demand of world’s exploding population is now universally recognized to be the most urgent human and political concern facing mankind. The agricultural sciences have developed a large and growing number of resources to help meet these demands. These include conventional fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, water utilization systems and management programs and advanced seed and root stock hybridization. Many of these approaches are energy based and are increasingly becoming cost prohibitive. Chemical fertilizers are now being extensively used in agriculture. The typical chemical fertilizer contains three elements important to plant growth: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). They must be converted by the enzymes in the existing biochemical

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Organisms in the plant into basic tissue building blocks. However, the limiting factor in the utilization of fertilizing compounds is the availability of these enzymes to make these conversions for specific plant growth processes. This conversion process slowed if there is a biochemical deficiency resulting in the inefficient use of the chemical fertilizer. Sprang has solved this dilemma with biological supplements to remedy these deficiencies. Through the use of biological enzyme complexes, resulting in increased growth rates, greater health and vigor in the plant and ultimately greater yields. Q. Why Sprang Seaweed extracts have long been used in agriculture and horticulture? Ans:- They are routinely used worldwide in different crops. A wide range of beneficial effects have been reported from the use of Liquid seaweed extracts including increase crop yields, resistance of plant to stress, increased uptake of inorganic constituents from the Soil, resistance to frost and reduction in storage losses of fruit. These extracts are capable of having an effect at a low concentration, which results in only very small quantities of material being applied. Sprang is a concentrated, standardized and high quality Seaweed granular extract and proteins fermented in presence of beneficial microbes under controlled conditions. It is a natural product derived from seaweed from the unpolluted nutrition.

Fig. Seaweeds

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

The introduction of Sprang contains a full complement of metabolically active compounds. These unique compounds are absorbed immediately and act as regulatory signals; activators or catalysts to produce synchronized and accelerated growth under all conditions. At the initial stage PBPL has launched 3 products:-

 Sprang Granules  Sprang(liquid)  Sprang Germinator

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.3.1 Sprang Granules:-

Sprang Granules is a Biotechnology Research product manufactured by Proothvi Biotech Pvt. Ltd., which acts as an additional biological nourishment for soil. A unique product produced by mixing animal origin and seaweed extract in scientifically controlled conditions. Sprang Granules is eco friendly, non-hazardous, and safe biological product compatible with granular pesticides except which are of alkaline in nature. Sprang granules is storehouse for numerous nutrients in readily available form. It is scientifically user-friendly soil-degradable granular formulation for better inoculation in the field. These granules when applied to soil release nutrients in plant rhizosphere thus stimulate growth of beneficial microorganisms and provide nutritional support to plant at critical stages of growth. The application of Sprang Granules thus, becomes trouble-free and can be applied as basal dressing and top dressing in the standing crops.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Sprang Granules helps to increase soil micro flora and it improves soil fertility, water holding capacity and porosity. Sprang Granules helps to increase higher yield and better quality produce. Sprang Granules usage is suggested for following crops:Horticultural Crops:

Chilies, Orange, Grapes, Mango, Pomegranate, Banana, Apple, Citrus, Guava, Ber, Cashew, Melons, and Papaya.

Tuber crops:

Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric. Onion, potato.

Commercial Crops:

Cotton, Cumin, Opium, and Sugarcane.

Field Crops:

Rice, Wheat, Maize, and Sorghum.

Plantations:

Coconut, Tea, Mulberry, Areca nut, Coffee, Rubber.

Pulses:

Soybean, Red gram, Green Gram, Black gram, Horse gram, Bengal gram, Chick pea, Cow pea.

Oil Seeds:

Ground Nut, Linseed, Mustard, Safflower, Seasamum, and Sunflower. Spices, Condiments, Narcotics: Black pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, Garlic, Ginger, Tobacco, and Turmeric.

Vegetables:

Beans, Brinjal, Cucurbits, Okra, Pea, Sweet potato, Tomato, Cole crops

(Cabbage, Cauliflower, Know-How), Drum stick,

spinach. Others:

Green house, floriculture, Gardens, Golf course, fodder crops etc.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Benefits of sprang granules:1) Helps to increase soil micro flora and ultimately its fertility. 2) Develop root mass and root hairs and increased supply of sufficient nutrition for plant. 3) Improve water holding capacity and porosity of soil. 4) Break down complex molecule into simpler form, which provides strong support to enhance plant metabolism and development. 5) Helps to improve the resistance against stress condition like drought, frost & diseases. 6) Improvement in yield by 10 % to 20 % & best quality of produce.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.3.2. Sprang (liquid):-

Sprang (Foliar) (Unique biological supplements for the plants) Sprang (foliar) is unique biological supplements for the plants developed by Proothvi Biotech Private Limited through high tech fermentation process and innovative biological production technique. The dried granulated seaweed powder and other biological inputs undergo this specialized Lactobacilli process to formulate Sprang. Resulting in increased growth rates, greater health and vigor of the plant and ultimately higher yields.

Application Of Sprang (foliar):Sprang (foliar) is a biological nutritional support intended for foliar application on plants, trees and other types of plant tissue. Particularly when responses within short growing periods are demanded.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Sprang (foliar) has been designed as a foliar spray, to be applied on the leaves of the plant. Product’s components dissolve in water, and enter through the stomata and the leaf surface waxes. In the leaf Sprang is translocated (transported) quickly through the mesophyll cells or through the inter-cellular spaces to the vascular system and by the vascular system to the plant organs where it is needed. Sprang ((foliar) can be mixed with most liquid /soluble fertilizers and insecticides. However, separate dilution of Sprang (foliar) in water is needed before mixing with pesticides. SPRANG (foliar) benefits:1. Early germination of seeds and healthy vigor of young seedlings. 2. Improved cation exchange capacity of plant ultimately more uptake of nutrients. 3. Develop root mass and root hairs. 4. Increased yield through a. Improvement in translocation and utilization of available nutrients b. Improvement in Auxiliary and lateral bud development c. Better retention of flowers / fruits and Grains. d. Improvement in size of grains/ fruits. 5. Improvement in Qualitya. Improve color and shining of produce b. Uniform quality of grains / produce c. Increase taste of fruits / Grains d. Increase shelf life of Fruits and Flowers. 6. Increase resistance to adverse climatic conditions like Drought and frost, waterloging etc. 7. Develop resistance to Viral and fugal diseases. 15

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.3.3. Sprang Germinator:(Biological booster for seeds and Roots) Sprang Germinator is also an innovative product developed with Biotechnology Research. A specific combination developed by mixing animal origin and vegetable based products under scientifically controlled fermentation process to give strong boost in early stage of plants What is Special in Sprang Germinator? Seeds remain viable for diverse length of time and depend on species and outside atmospheric conditions. The embryo inside the seed coat needs water and temperature to get its metabolism activated and to start the growth of embryo. They need some moisture to get their biochemistry activated, and warm temperature to allow the chemistry of life to proceed. Initial nutrition to the germinating seed is provided by Cotyledons and after that seeds require extra outside nutrition to survive in the outer world. Sprang Germinator provides the same extra nutrition through its storehouse of available nutrients. Sprang Germinator helps to develop root deeper and sideways it also helps to reduced Abscisic acid within seed to break dormancy. The emerging seedling thus gets energy to fight the environment stress and grows up to a healthy plant. Use of Sprang Germinator:Sprang Germinator is unique formulation, which can be used for seed treatment of all crops/ plants and treated roots before transplanting. Doses for Seed Treatment – 2.5 to 3.5 ml per Kg -

Sprang Germinator (for bigger seeds)

4 to 5 ml per Kg

Sprang Germinator (For Small seeds)

-

For Seed Treatment Mix with 25 to 50 ml water and apply on seeds before sowing. Treated seed to be kept in shade before sowing for 15 to 45 minutes for drying. For Root Treatment

-

Prepare the solution of Sprang Germinator

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1-2 ml / 100 ml water. (1% - 2% solution). Spray Sprang solution on roots of seedlings or dip roots in Sprang solution for 10 minutes before transplanting. Benefits when seeds treated with sprang:-

1. Healthy and early germination of seeds. 2. Increase germination percentage of seeds 3. Breaking Seed dormancy. 4. More healthy and dark green seedling 5. Longer root development and more root hairs. 6. Improved resistance against soil-borne diseases & pests. Benefits when roots treated with sprang:1. Absorb transplanting shock and helps for early establishment of seedlings. 2. Develop more root hairs and more root development 3. Provide more nutrition’s helps for stronger thick stem plants. 4. Increase in resistance against soil-borne diseases & pests. 5. Best quality produce and fetch more prices at market place.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.4 Plant:PBPL is situated in NAGPUR, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA. Currently PBPL is executing its work from the head office based in NAGPUR. The production unit is in MIDC, Hingna, and NAGPUR. PBPL also strengthening advance R & D wing for quality assurance. Production unit consists of 8-10 workers supervised by a supervisor. Currently the company is situated in nearly 2000-2500 sqft area rented by the company anchor in MIDC, Hengan area at NAGPUR. Procedure of production goes as below:Complete procedure can not disclosed. General process of production is:Seaweeds + Protiens Fermetation Microbes Sprang

Figure: - large fermenters used for the fermentation

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

1.5 Capacity:Production wise it takes near about 4-6 days to produce a batch of 1700 litres after passing through various processes including fermentation. At present there are 8-10 workers in company. A qualified supervisor is there in production unit who is taking care production, quality, packaging. There is an administrative officer who is taking care of delivery, client and customers. Even after less employee strength company is able to deliver the order at the committed date either to distributers or to dealers.

2. Problem statement:Nowadays research studies are numerous and whenever a need for a study arises, majority of works attributed to consumer products are linked with the areas of consumer perception, satisfaction, decision making, competition, sales promotion, etc. Hence the studies have become thorough. Management researcher they technically deep into the study which results in the origin of a pure technical report which is accessible persons in those areas. Marketer should understand the price sensitivity of a consumer in a rural area.  The product awareness about biological supplements is very low.  Farmers perceived that fertilizers and these biological supplements are under same product line  They don’t believe on novice products because before this many companies had gone to their villages and sold low quality products or completely ineffective product.  Demonstration given was not fruitful in the respected villages which created a wrong perception about the product in the mind of people.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

2.1Objectives of the study: To ascertain the awareness, usage, and scope of the biological supplements in the farm land and plant trade.  To find out the attributes on which farmer’s purchasing psychology about the product depends  To find out the satisfaction level, reach and effectiveness in the farm land and plant trade.

2.2Scope of the study: This study helps to find factors influencing purchases.  This study helps to find the source of awareness of the brand  This study helps to find the satisfaction level of customers.  This study helps to identify the promotional activities.

2.3 Research methodology:The basic knowledge about the brands and their promotion has to be gathered thorough the secondary data available on the internet and the documents available in the institute library. The quantum of information on this subject matter is enormous and updated. The secondary sources such as internet and news articles cover almost all sections and geographic locations. Although the project does not entitle for a primary research but for the validity and reliability of the research and better perception of the subject a primary research was undertaken in the selected regions .The primary survey was conducted in the selected regions to get some idea of the subject matter.tha data was collected through direct questioning to

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

farmers and dealers. The following sites had been identified and surveyed, target of the survey was farmers:-

1. NAGPUR (HINGNA TALUKA):a. KINHI VILLAGE b. MANGLI VILLAGE c. JUNEWANI VILLAGE 2. SAONER TALUKA:a. TAKLI BHANSALI 3. KALMESHWAR TALUKA a. NIMJI b. KOCHI 4. KATOL TALUKA a. TISHTI 5. NAGPUR TALUKA a. NARSALA b. KHAKASANA

DEALERS SURVEY:1. NAGPUR:a. UMRED b. MANDHAL c. KUHI 2. CHANDRAPUR a. BRAHMAPURI b. GONDPIPRI c. PIMPALGAON d. NALAJ

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

2.3.1Sampling:Random sampling was done for interview of the respondents. A sample of 5-10 respondents per village was interviewed. The research was carried out for a period of 30 days. The total sample collected was 100 respondents (non-overlapping).

2.3.2Data Collection :The secondary data was collected from the sources such as institute library, agriculture magazines and internet along with some meetings with subject matter experts. The primary data was collected by way of a non-disguised primary survey in the selected areas. The survey was done with the help of a semi structured questionnaire having MCQs for fact based responses and Open ended questions for opinion based responses.

2.3.3Questionnaire design:The questionnaire used for data collection, the data is a structured one. It was a mixture of open ended, closed ended and multiple industry choices. The words were simple and help in avoiding confusing and misunderstanding among the respondents.

2.3.4Data Analysis and Findings :The data analysis is to be done using statistical tools and techniques. The result is to be critically analysed and every aspect of the objectives to be dealt with great detail. The findings are to be reported with the help of suitable graphs and diagrams where ever required. The comparative analytical findings are to be reported for most aspects of the objectives.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Table1: Classification on the awareness of biological supplements:-

Aware of B.S.

Respondents

Percentage

YES

32

32%

NO

68

68%

Interpretation:Based on our survey 32% respondents are aware of biological supplements.

Graph1: Classification on the awareness of biological supplements.

120 100

80 60

68

68 No YES

40 20

32

32

respondents

percentage

0

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Table2: Classifications based on the usage of biological supplements.

Usage

Respondents

Percentage

Yes

8

25%

No

24

75%

Interpretation: Among the 32 samples 8 respondents are using the biological supplements in their farm land.  24 respondents are not using the biological supplements.

Graph2: Classification based on the usage of biological supplements.

80

75

70 60 50 40

Respondent

30

Percentage

25

24

20 10

8

0 Yes

No

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Table3: Various supplements used by the respondents.

Name of co.

Respondents

Percentage

PBPL

1

12.5%

Hiramoti

2

25%

Pragati biotech

1

12.5%

Wockhardt

4

50%

Interpretation: Only one respondent is using product of PBPL.  Two respondents are using product of Hiramoti.  One respondent is using product of Pragati biotech.  Maximum 4 respondents are using Wockhardt’s product. Graph3: Various supplements used by the respondents.

60 50 50

40 PBPL 30

Hiramoti

25

Pragati biotech 20

Wockhardt 12.5

12.5

10 1

2

4 1

0 Respondents

Percentage

25

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Table 4:- Reasons why respondents purchase the product.

Respondents

Price

Availability

Packaging

Efficiency

Ecofriendly

0

2

0

8

0

Interpretation : 6 respondents told that only because of efficiency they purchased the product.  2 respondents told that because of both efficiency and availability they purchased the product.  In all 8 people purchased the product.

Representation 4:- Reasons told by the respondents

6

Efficiency

2

Availability

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Q. What are the attributes the company and product should look up so that farmers will purchase the product?

Response :-

Quality

Campaigning

Price

Free samples

Respondents

84

24

4

4

Percentage

84

24

4

4

Graph 5:- Attributes stated by the farmers.

90

84

84

80 70 60 Quality

50

Campainig 40 30

Price Free samples 24

24

20 10

4

4

4

0 Respondents

Percentage

27

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

2.3.5 Limitations of the study: The study is confined to Nagpur and chandrapur districts only; hence the results cannot be generalized.  The results hold validity for specified group (farmers) and cannot generalize.  The findings in this study are purely dependent on the answers of the respondents.  Since the study was limited to a specific period (may – July 09), further qualitative research on the topic was not possible.  The information recorded is based on the opinion and reactions of the respondents as on the date of research.  Some of the people surveyed were not the full time farmers so they are partially unaware farming.

2.4 Literature review:Rural marketing:It is the documentation of a comprehensive review of the published and unpublished work from secondary and also primary data in the areas of specific interest of the researcher. The purpose of the literature review is to ensure that no important variable that has in the past been found heatedly to have an impact on the problem is ignored.  The data pertaining to the project were gathered by referring to books and journals.

Most of the farmers are dependant on the rain water in vidarbha. Farming is no more a business which farmers can do through out the year. It has become a seasonal bussines.still there are some areas where the irrigation exists, farmer’s works in the field throughout the year. Irregular weather conditions creating many difficulties in farming.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Farmers of vidarbha still talks about the quantity of the crop.They are not much cautious about the quality. Because of low quality crops they are not getting expected returns in monetary terms from the government. Wide use of the chemical fertilizers are resulting in the soil erosion. Plants are not getting enough minerals. Microbes responsible for symbiotic association with the plant are vanishing. Heavy use of these chemical fertilizers resulting into decrease in the yielding year on year. Though there are some areas where people are getting more yielding year on year. Reason behind that they are using the water which heavily consists of plant and animal waste. This waste acts as a bio fertiliser for the plants resulting in the increase in yielding.

3. Findings: Based on the survey 32% people are aware of biological supplement.  Only 8% people are using biological supplements of different companies.  50% of these 8 %( 4 of 8 people) are using wockhardt product which is the biggest threat to company.  Only 12.5% of these 8 %( 1 of 8 people) are using the product of PBPL.  Based on the survey one person of 100 who is using PBPL product is happy with product in terms of quality and efficiency.  Most of the traders and farmers maintain the mutual relationship with Company so that they should enjoy the schemes and concessions provided by the company.  The consumption level of these supplements is low because the plants are grown for a certain period.  It can be inferred that 25% of the respondents who knows about these supplements ignored their application due to high price, 30 % respondents ignored by the better

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

response of other fertilizer than these supplements. Finally rest of the respondents ignored by other valuable reasons.  Company is not having a full time sales persons in order to give effective demonstration in the farm land.

4. Suggestions and recommendations: From the survey it is found that people are attracted toward the product only when:

There is decease in yielding year on year.



There is consistency in yielding from many years.



There is increase in yielding but decrease in quality of the crop.

As a new entrant in this local market company needs to promote its brand in such areas.  The company should concentrate more on advertisement of biological supplements through farmer contact programs. Company should focus on to improve the communication channels. Advertising through news papers can be done as most of the farmers do read news papers daily. Advertising should be on the page where it will get farmer’s attention. Generally the upper half of front page is more effective. To make an advertise more effective photo of one of the farmers who is using the product can be published. If possible contact number of the farmer can be added.  To explore the farmer’s interest, company can organize intensive promotional campaign exclusively for the farmers. Campaigning can be done through personal channels or non personal channels. personal channels includes sales persons who gives the demonstration on the plant in farm land. Expert channels can also be used effectively. The professional in the agriculture sector would attract people’s attention more. Non personal channels like print media, sales promotion, event, public relations can be used.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

 Create awareness about the product and the company. Organising the seminars in villages through the contacts of localide of that village would help to aware people about the product and its benefits which might help company to built reputation (branding).  As a new entrant in the market company can focus the villages nearby the village where people or a person is using the product (depending on the results). It would help people to know more about the product as their neighbours are using the product, this might motivate them to use the product. Once farmers got belief that this product is actually a good product then they by their own starts recommending product to others. Company can focus on the area where there is an irrigation facility, so that there will be the demand for product throughout the year.  Focus on the person who can influence rest of the village. Give free demonstration to his land and take his feedback. Once he starts believe on the product he will tell others in village to use the product. Sponsorship in the events usually held in village can also help to build brand image. This person can be used as a dealer for that particular area, set the target in front of him and let him enjoy the product in less price. After achieving the higher target again increase the profit margin to him. Finally restrict the profit margin equal to other dealer’s profit margin. Company can appoint a professional who has many contacts with farmers and a good image in the community of farmers.  Usage in contract farming. Company can do the contract with company and government bodies who are involved into contract farming business. With the help of such bodies company can promote the product. Day by day the involvement of government and many other private companies is increasing in the contract farming activity, so it would be it would be an advantage for the company if that other company is promoting its product.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

5. Conclusion: The awareness of supplements is in better position only; but the usage is not that much in farming.  The user level of these biological supplements is low; but their satisfaction level is in better condition.

6. Bibliography:1. Marketing Management by Kotler, Keller, Koshy and Jha – 13E.

2. www.pdfcoke.com

3. www.esnipe.com

4. www.en.wikipedia.com

5. Mrugadhara- magazine for farmers.

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

7. QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLE-1 General Q. Q. 1-What type of fertilizers are you using?

a. Chemical fertilizer c. Micronutrients

b. Bio fertilizer d. Organic manure

Q. 2-Why do you use this fertilizer? Q.3 which crops are you taking? Main Q Q.4-Are you using any supplement to increase yield? Yes / No. Q.5-If yes then of which company? Q.6-Why are you using that particular supplement? a. price

b. availability

e. recommendation

c. Packaging

d. efficiency

f. ecofriendly

Q.7-Have you seen any changes in quality and quantity of crop? Yes/no  If yes then in what %? Q. 8-From where do you purchase it? Dealer’s name.

Q. 9-How? Cash or credit  Cash / Credit-why? Q.10-Are you satisfied with the type of business he is in with you? (then we can supply our product to that dealer.)  If not, then why?

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Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Q.11- Any recommendations? QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLE-2 FOR dealerQ.1-Which type of fertilizers are you dealing with? a. Chemical fertilizer c. Micronutrients

b. Bio fertilizer d. Organic manure

Q.2-Which type supplements are you dealing with? a. Biological supplements

b. Other (____________)

Q.3-Which is the most preferred supplement used in this area? ------------------------------------------------------------------------Q.4-How often farmers demands this in a year? ------------------------------------------------------------------------Q.5-Is there any discount or scheme on this provided by company or from your side? ---------------------------------------------------------------------Q.6-How farmers prefer to purchase from you? Cash/credit Q.7-Which type of payment would u prefer the most?  How does this type of payment benefits to you and farmers? _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Q.8-Margin you are getting? (If you wish to) From quality product and general product. a. Your expectations about margin? ---------------------------------------34

Buying behaviour of the consumer for SPRANG

Q.9-Any recommendations from your side.

8. Appendix:Problem:- Company had appointed the sales persons, after working for one day or couple they left the company just because they have got the job somewhere else or they don’t want to work. they are not ready to join the firm. Reason:- One of the reason behind that might be job security. In the regions like vidarbha product like this is having sales during the month of july- December. What about rest of the period of the year. This thing might be creating the insecurity of the job in their mind. Why should they left the job which is providing them employment for the whole year. Solution :- If the company focuses to market its product in the area where there is facility of irrigation, where farmers takes crops throughout the year and appoint the sales persons there. This thing will create work throughout the year for them which means they will be employed by the company throughout the year.

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