The Role of Social Media in Rural Development – A Study in Telangana State

Abstract

Digital technologies encompassing social media have changed our way of life and brought in countless benefits such as greater convenience, quicker communication, access to information, social connectedness and new types of leisure. This study investigates the role of social media platforms in rural areas of Telangana. The research study design is descriptive and has used cross-sectional survey method. People living in the villages of Telangana are the targeted population, and the villages are the sampling units. Nine hundred respondents from 30 villages spanning 30 districts are surveyed. Farmers using social media seek information on weather, government policies and plans in agriculture, and availability of best quality seeds and fertilisers. The facility also helps them connect with experts to resolve their problems and delivers educational and training information. The number of people using social media for marketing agricultural produce and sharing farming practices is still on the lower side. People in rural areas use WhatsApp/Facebook for sharing farming/business-related information. The potential of social media platforms remains unexplored; if used optimally, it can prove beneficial.