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Market Information Systems in Sub-Sahara Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

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  • Tollens, Eric

Abstract

The paper deals with the emergence and rise of market information systems in sub-Sahara Africa as a result of economic liberalization. There has already been an evolution is such systems and no particular system dominates. Various types of market information systems exist today, public or private, all or not linked to a commodity exchange. The rationale of a commodity exchange is discussed, linked to a market information system. They all struggle with problems of sustainable financing. Very few if any good impact studies exist on such systems, demonstrating their effects on market transparency, information asymmetry, the bargaining power of poor farmers and their market access. Dissemination of the information, using traditional (radio) or modern (ICT) tools is crucial in order to reach the farmers. But market information alone is unlikely to catalyze market supply chains. More is needed to enable poor farmers to gain better access to markets in a more sustainable and remunerative manner.

Suggested Citation

  • Tollens, Eric, 2006. "Market Information Systems in Sub-Sahara Africa: Challenges and Opportunities," 2006 Annual Meeting, August 12-18, 2006, Queensland, Australia 25590, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae06:25590
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.25590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Knudsen, Odin & Nash, John, 1990. "Domestic Price Stabilization Schemes in Developing Countries," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 38(3), pages 539-558, April.
    2. Giovannucci, Daniele & Shepherd, Andrew, 2001. "Market Information Services," MPRA Paper 17193, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Dembele, Niama Nango & Staatz, John M., 1999. "The Impact Of Market Reform On Agricultural Transformation In Mali," Staff Paper Series 11717, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    4. Takamasa Akiyama & John Baffes & Donald Larson & Panos Varangis, 2001. "Commodity Market Reforms : Lessons of Two Decades," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13852, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mukhebi, A.W. & Kundu, J. & Okolla, A. & Wambua, M. & Ochieng, W. & Fwamba, G., 2008. "Linking Farmers to Markets through Modern Information and Communication Technologies in Kenya," 2007 Second International Conference, August 20-22, 2007, Accra, Ghana 51988, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    2. Lee, Guenwoo & Suzuki, Aya & Kim, Yu Ri, 2021. "The Role of Agricultural Market Information on Farmers' Agricultural Outcomes: Evidence from Smallholder Coffee Producers in Ethiopia," Discussion paper series HIAS-E-110, Hitotsubashi Institute for Advanced Study, Hitotsubashi University.
    3. Abate, Gashaw T. & Abay, Kibrom A. & Chamberlin, Jordan & Kassim, Yumna & Spielman, David J. & Paul Jr Tabe-Ojong, Martin, 2023. "Digital tools and agricultural market transformation in Africa: Why are they not at scale yet, and what will it take to get there?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Chelanga, Philemon & Jensen, Nathaniel & Muendo, Kavoi Mutuku, 2022. "Pastoral livestock market integration amidst improvements in physical and communication infrastructure: Evidence from northern Kenya," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 17(4), December.
    5. Felix, N. & Seepersad, G. & Iton, A., 2013. "An Assessment Of The Market And Other Information Needs Of Crop Farmers In Trinidad And Tobago," 49th Annual Meeting, June 30-July 6, 2013, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 253492, Caribbean Food Crops Society.
    6. Okello, Julius J. & Kirui, Oliver K. & Gitonga, Zachary M. & Njiraini, Georgina W. & Nzuma, Jonathan M., 2014. "Determinants of Awareness and Use ICT-based Market Information Services in Developing-Country Agriculture: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Kenya," Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Humboldt-Universitaat zu Berlin, vol. 53(3), pages 1-20, August.

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