Evaluation of the potential demand for agricultural consulting services in Estelí, 2023

Abstract

This research was carried out in the city of Estelí, Nicaragua with the purpose of evaluating the potential demand for agricultural business consulting services in the agricultural services sector. It adopts a non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional design with a mixed-methods approach,
which is of significant practical relevance. The study is justified considering that the agricultural
services sector, characterized by its competitiveness and dynamism, requires strategic planning and
the implementation of management tools that will facilitate adaptation to market demands. Under
this approach, the study suggests that the main opportunities for consulting are concentrated in the
strategic and commercial areas of agricultural services. The research was structured around three
axes: analysis of the current situation, demand for products and services, and the identification of
opportunities for agricultural services consulting. Sixty establishments linked to the sector were
identified: 26 agricultural services, 14 agro-veterinary services, and 20 veterinary clinics, with
diverse organizational structures. Agricultural products account for 80 % of demand, followed by
veterinary products (40 %), agricultural machinery (35 %), and other products (26 %). Regarding
services, demand for greenhouse design (25 %) and irrigation systems (22.5 %) stand out.
However, there is low supply in areas such as genetic improvement (87.5 %) and agronomic crop
management (85 %), highlighting dissatisfied market opportunities. Opportunities for agricultural
business consulting and advisory services reflect that although 63 % of establishments do not hire
these services, the 37 % that do, mainly demand support in sales strategy design, marketing, and
project planning.