Completing the Information threads in Agricultural Market Information for positive enterprise growth By M.J Robert Kintu Principal Consultant – FIT Uganda Ltd

A. FIT Uganda Profile B. Realities of Agricultural Sector C. Gaps with Marketing Information D. Definition of Market Information E. Infotrade Service Model F. Critical Success factors -delivery of MIS G. Conclusions and remarks

FIT UGANDA LTD Business Consultancy : Business Consultancy : Business Development Services, Access to markets, Business training and Information dissemination. Infotrade : Infotrade : Agricultural Market Information Services Info point (U) Ltd an Advertising Business Services Info point (U) Ltd an Advertising Business Services Affiliations : Affiliations : FIT Ghana, FIT Kenya, FIT Tanzania,FIT Zimbabwe Networks and forums Networks and forums Physical Address FIT Uganda Limited Plot 175/176 Kyandondo II Road Makerere Hill, Kagugube Zone. Tel www. Infotradeuganda.com, Or In business

VISION: To be a catalyst in the growth of the SME Sector, by contributing to its productivity and Innovativeness. MISSION: FIT Uganda aims at offering profit t driven, quality professional services by highly competent and motivated staff for the growth of commercial business sector

Under the INFOTRADE brand we aim at the Agricultural Market Information Provision of Agricultural Market Information by collecting regular trading prices on a total 46 commodities, that are analyzed, tabulated and disseminated to a target users of 25,000 using Website, mobile phones 256 hits, 23 notice boards, 25 blackboards, 18 radio stations, 2 print media partnerships, 1311 mail subscribers, 295 web2phone users. e.t.c. Agricultural Production Information Provision of Agricultural Production Information : FIT Uganda is in the process of developing tailored farmer Seasonal Crop card for the collection of production for subscribing farmers with the aim of linking them into a agribusiness supply network for sustainable marketing opportunities. Farmer Business Record Management System Provision of Farmer Business Record Management System with financial Linkage. FIT is in the process of profiling individual farmers for direct service delivery on farm records, individual Bio data identification and verification with aim of improving farmer financial linkages with current MFIs and commercial banks

Market information is a business resource that contributes to know – how and increases the chances for agricultural chain actors to manage prevailing situations and plan for the future market opportunities Commodity Value chains held together by the threads of information that flow within the chain for supply. The Market information provides insight in Quantities, Available Markets, Quality desired, Time of demand, allowed transaction cost, Current buyer preferences, market opportunities and,the best price of the commodity in the current market.

Realities of Agricultural Sector A. Diminishing resources B. Growing population C. Changing land use D. Un predictable crop prices E. Increase demand for resources F. Increasing social and Economic pressures G. Food Security H. Un predictable weather patterns

What are the Issues in Market Information Irresponsive Market Information Services Incomplete market information – untracked Lack of appropriate data on facilitation linkages, process upgrades, price data on varieties, product diversification opportunities, buyer coordination, Certified input suppliers, niches markets e.t.c

BRING WORLD INOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

What are we doing NOW ? Or what can we do for you as a farmer, marketing group, associations and funding institution!!!! Join Network of users by subscribing to sustain the service or aid others to Join

Weekly Commodity Retail and Wholesale prices. By Weekly Sector Selected Trends Analysis – see print media Media House Content exchange Agricultural Indicative Price Abstract ( AIPA) Sector Commodity Profiles. (SCP) Mobile information Access via 8555 ( Pull Service) Mobile Information Access via 8555 – web2phone- ( registered push service) Interactive one stop Global Access Market Information Website Farmer Business Record Storage, verification and linkage Services (FBRS) Farmer Identification Services (FIS) Farmer Interactive Voice Response Services – coming soon !!!!

Farmer Business Record Management System Provision of Farmer Business Record Management System with financial Linkage. FIT is in the process of profiling individual farmers for direct service delivery on farm records, individual Bio data identification and verification with aim of improving farmer financial linkages with current MFIs and commercial banks

InfoTrade Agri-Business Programme in partnership with Commonwealth Finance Solutions using the ZIPP international interchange.

The Card creates a secure, sustainable, business system The Card realises and creates wealth for all involved Card provides farmers with opportunities to save money save time eliminate wasted effort in their financial transactions... Using a principle of Financial Inclusion

Farmer International & Domestic Remittances Micro Finance Institution Agricultural Inputs Provider Wholesaler Cooperative / Association Processor Consumer Export/ Import Financial Education Provider Merchant Key: card/account to card/account flow of produce/goods/agricultural inputs flow of services Agribusiness Ecosystem

A. Taking record of national production and baseline data all identified production areas B. Supporting the formalization of small holder farmers into recognized producers linked to organized production and marketing groups. C. Change of Attitude of the farmers from single based production to market based production D. Orienting farmers to farming as a business – total enterprise that requires record management and personal commitment. E. Developing farm based information systems that can be linked to market systems and supply chains.

Rural Information Centres Network Offices – Partner NGOs District Farmer Association offices District Commercial Officers – Pilot Service Note : FIT is in the process of seeking partnerships and signing up with a number of member based organizations to support directly using ICT as tool for development while promoting service (BDS ) provision at the member organization.

Farmers Farmers Business Record Management Business Record Management Production Analysis and projection Production Analysis and projection Farmer Record Verification and financial linkage Farmer Record Verification and financial linkage Customerised market information Customerised market information Business coaching via DNA mentorship Business coaching via DNA mentorship DNA ( Network Agencies ) – Associations, Rural information Centers New products and service programs to its members Increase Member fees Area production data New Revenues Streams Image creation though partnership with Infotrade

Local, National Governments Access to data for local, regional and national resource planning Access to data for local, regional and national resource planning Early warning signals in markets and production trends Early warning signals in markets and production trends Comparative statistics for economic planning Comparative statistics for economic planning Facilitating Organizations ( NGOs, M&E Data on individual performance of farmers using business indicators Access to usable data for proposal and concept development Impact tracking

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