The use of mobile phones for the exchange of information in the chilean agribusiness

Abstract

The mobile phone is considered as the connection of mobility and communication in social networks and in business activities especially to people in developing and transitioning countries. With its use, farmers can reduce marketing costs, containing search and transportation costs, as well as participate more easily in markets, but also gain nonmarket information and access to advisory service. This study aims to investigate the impact of mobile phones on farmer's performance by using survey data we collected from raspberry, avocado and table grape farmers in Chile in 2012. The results of our analysis indicate that farmers using mobile phones to exchange information with their trading partners have higher yields.