Market Information System (MIS)
Challenge
Agriculture is the most important economic sector in Somalia which accounts for about 65 percent of the GDP. However, insufficient market demand coupled with price fluctuations, reduced purchasing power and lack of cash creates an environment that is not conducive to agricultural investment and improvement.
Development of SMS/Voice-based Market Information platform to link farmers, buyers and sells.
Project Goals
The ‘Support to Agricultural Markets in Somalia’ project aims to mitigate these problems through the implementation of the Rural Commercialization Model (RUCOM), a model whose implementation involves the development of a Market Information System (MIS). There is a need for a market information system which will provide these producers with accurate, independent, timely and unbiased information which will then support their marketing decision making.
Key Activities
Prepares and links ‘Shaqodoon’ with the local business community, other potential employers and over and above encourages the youth to inculcate an entrepreneurial culture through entrepreneurship and financial literacy interactive audio instruction programs as well as use of SMS and Voice technologies to bridge the gap.
Shaqodoon utilizes innovative cell phone and web-based technologies to facilitate communication between community’s members and organizations. The platforms for organizations provide access for communities and organizations to deliver/receive SMS/Voice based information.
Impact
Established a platform linked to existing FAO database of crop prices access to farmers and sellers via mobile phone.
More Details
Location: Somaliland | Hargeisa
Start Date - End Date: 1/15/2021 to 6/15/2021
Donor(s): FAO Somalia