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Indian Journal of Marketing

ISSN: 0973-8703 Frequency: Monthly Peer Review: Double-blind Published since: 1968 Language: English
A publication of AMCPL
amcon.co.in
New Delhi, India
Indexed in: Scopus Q3 UGC-CARE Group II ABDC: C Google Scholar J-Gate NAAS NISCAIR Crossref

Original Article

Open Access Original Article

Measuring Service Quality and Farmers’ Satisfaction in e-National Agricultural Market Using the SERVQUAL Model

Ramakrishna Bandaru1

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce and International Business, School of Business Studies, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod - 671 320, Kerala

Volume 54
Issue 1
Pages 63–76
Year 2024
Received: Oct. 25, 2022 Accepted: Sept. 25, 2023 Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Abstract

Purpose: The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, developed the Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), an online platform that allows farmers to sell their produce throughout the nation. A total of 1,361 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in 23 states and 4 union territories provide e-NAM services. It has been observed that only a few markets have been implementing the e-NAM services effectively. According to a literature review, farmers do not generally accept or use the e-NAM services. This study used the SERVQUAL methodology to quantify the relationship between service quality characteristics and the farmers’ e-NAM satisfaction levels.

Methodology: The SERVQUAL model was utilized to examine the association between farmers’ satisfaction and SERVQUAL dimensions. Primary data were gathered from farmers who were registered participants in the Telangana and Odisha e-NAM implementation markets. Approximately 241 samples were chosen by a basic random sampling method. The path model and confirmatory factor analysis were created using AMOS software.

Findings: According to the study, farmers’ satisfaction levels are largely influenced by just three SERVQUAL model dimensions: assurance, reliability, and tangibility.Practical

Implications: The Ministry of Agriculture must provide the State agriculture marketing authorities with the necessary policy guidelines in order to fortify the three highly consequential SERVQUAL dimensions in each e-NAM implementing market: Assurance (lessening of intermediaries, information of price and market conditions, assignment, grading, etc.), reliability (best price, intertrading, e-bidding, etc.), and tangibility (computers, electronic weight, handheld machines, and restrooms).

Originality: In contrast to other studies on the e-NAM, the current study examined the relationship between the electronic National Agriculture Market’s service quality aspects and farmers’ satisfaction levels by building on the SERVQUAL model.

Keywords e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) farmers SERVQUAL model satisfaction tangibility
How to Cite

Ramakrishna Bandaru (2024). Measuring Service Quality and Farmers’ Satisfaction in e-National Agricultural Market Using the SERVQUAL Model. Indian Journal of Marketing, 54(1), 63–76. https://doi.org/10.17010/ijom/2024/v54/i1/173383

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