INTERNET BUSINESS AS SUPPORT FOR FAMILY FARMS

Subjects of this paperwere possibilitiesfor family farms (OPG) to do business on internet. Aim of research was to find out what young people from the more developed western part of Croatia are thinking at the possibility of developing applications or internet shop for family farms. Agriculture, as one of the comparative branches that can help improve economic situation of Eastern Croatia, must turn to new promotion channels to survive. It is almost impossible for small family farms to do business online. To reach the final consumer, each manufacturer must be visible, because as the saying goes "if you're not online you don't exist". Development of internet, smartphones and apps enables relatively inexpensive advertising. One of the options is to develop an application that would geographically display small family farms and their products to make it easier for customers to reach them. Another option is an online store that would allow small family farms and households to offer their products on internet market. According to the data published on Ministry of Agriculture website on 29.january.2018 number of agricultural businesses is 164,628.Of these 159.349 or 96.79% are family farms. The development and implementation of these solutions can be achieved by mutual forces of farmers, but also with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development. A survey was conducted on a sample of 150 students who showed their point of view on purchasing a homemade product via Online Store, or use of an application in which it is possible to see where the family farm is located and what can be purchased there. Such a way of doing business would enable the direct link between producers and consumers and help economic development of eastern Croatia, youth employment and the reduction of the emigration of young people.