Exploring neuromarketing strategies towards boosting consumer engagement with rural agricultural products: A systematic review

Rural agricultural products play a crucial role in local economies and cultural heritage; however, they encoun­ter significant market challenges, such as limited consumer trust, weak branding, and inadequate marketing resources. Neuromarketing, which involves the application of neurosci­ence tools s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Olaitan Ayotunde Shemfe, Ifeanyi Mbukanma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ERRCD Forum 2025-07-01
Series:Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Sciences
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Online Access:https://pubs.ufs.ac.za/index.php/ijms/article/view/1871
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Summary:Rural agricultural products play a crucial role in local economies and cultural heritage; however, they encoun­ter significant market challenges, such as limited consumer trust, weak branding, and inadequate marketing resources. Neuromarketing, which involves the application of neurosci­ence tools such as eye-tracking, electroencephalogram (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and func­tional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), provides a novel approach to understanding consumers' unconscious re­sponses to marketing stimuli. This systematic review synthe­sises the literature on neuromarketing strategies designed to enhance consumer engagement with rural agricultural prod­ucts. Multiple searches were conducted across various aca­demic databases (e.g., Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Pub­Med, PsycINFO, JSTOR, AGRIS) using targeted keywords (e.g., "consumer neuroscience," "rural agricultural products," "sensory marketing"), focusing on peer-reviewed English studies published from 2018 onwards. From an initial pool of 236 articles, screening and eligibility checks yielded 14 highly relevant studies. Key themes that emerged include the influ­ence of emotional and cognitive stimuli, packaging design, narrative storytelling, labelling, pricing, and ethical cues on consumer behaviour. For instance, appealing emotional narratives and authentic cultural storytelling consistently enhance recall and brand loyalty. Clear, trust-building labels (e.g., "organic," "antibiotic-free") engage decision-making regions of the brain, serving as cognitive shortcuts that strengthen per­ceived value. Additionally, visual design elements such as prominent eco-labels and origin indicators capture attention and convey quality. Despite their value, existing studies face key limitations such as small, non-representative samples and artificial settings. However, applying neuroscience insights can help rural producers enhance packaging, branding, and storytelling to build consumer trust and pro­mote sustainable economic growth.
ISSN:3007-5297