Cassava processing and marketing Regional Cassava Processing and Marketing Initiative FIRST REGIONAL MEETING OF IFAD ROOTS & TUBERS PROJECTS November 2007 Hotel Somatel - Douala, Cameroon

Cassava processing and marketing Market Information – Concepts & Service Providers in WCA Content Introduction - Market Information Services (MIS) –MIS components – how do MIS function ? –MIS Functions - why market information ? –Interactive MIS through ICT integration –Constraints of MIS in WCA MI initiatives and service providers in the WCA region –RESIMAO/ WAMIS – network of public MIS –Mistowa – strengthening MIS and organizational capacity –Busylab’s TradeNet.biz – private MI platform –Manobi – purely private MIservices –A communication & trade network in Burkina Faso – alternative to classic MIS ? Towards a best practice – key challenges of sustainable MIS

Cassava processing and marketing Data processing Data collection & transmission Data analysis Dissemination Processes How do MIS function ?

Cassava processing and marketing Market Information: What is it good for ? What is it good for ?  “transparency” helps:  Public institutions: Planning & policy  Chain operators 1.Improving business planning and decision making - more efficient investment of resources 2.Improving procurement of input & equipment 3.Improving produce marketing: –Increasing bargaining power –Reducing transaction costs by decreasing the market risks

Cassava processing and marketing ICT in Market Information Services Internet Platform/ Data base Classic: one-way Market Info Data Private market actors Classic MI System New ICT: Interactive Bids & offers Private market actors

Cassava processing and marketing MIS in WCA – major constraints Information content: Data quality: –Inconsistent: low reliability –Lack of standards in quality, weights & measures, collection methods Often limited to prices, excluding direct bids & offers transport availability and costs Information accessibility: Dissemination often inappropriate - information is often obsolete

Cassava processing and marketing RESIMAO/ WAMIS (West African Market Information Network) Network of public MIS of 9 ECOWAS-states, but generally open to any MIS Initiated in 2005, main function: regional MI online platform Clients: Mainly public institutions (planning, policy, science), Private actors Services: Online data base: MIS operators upload data and manage it through web Information dissemination: –Print media (quarterly bulletins) –Information platform: web site, , sms-alerts

Cassava processing and marketing Resimao – network of public MIS Price information: Historical data/graphs Different market levels Different currencies Other Information: Stock, yields imports/exports, cultivated land Population, climatic: precipitation Missing: directories trade information: offers, bids

Cassava processing and marketing Resimao Information in an interactive map

Cassava processing and marketing MISTOWA – strengthening MIS and organisational capacity Mistowa implemented by the International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural development (IFDC) Overall goal: facilitate the trade of agricultural products in West Africa (ECOWAS) Key elements of Mistowa’s strategies: –Working through organizations (PO’s & TO’s) –Supporting and linking private & public MIS by Integrating new Information & communication technology (ICT)

Cassava processing and marketing MISTOWA- Agro Business Information Points (ABIP) ABIP FunctionsPotential Operators Associations: (TO‘s, PO‘s assisted by MISTOWA) Internet Cafe‘s/ Business Shops (Out-contracting) Public Bodies (MIS) Base for Data collection & transmission Info & Marketing Point Info dissemination: Training & advice Marketing of MI-services

Cassava processing and marketing TradeNet.Biz - private MI platform TradeNet started in 2005 Platform is used by MIS in 10 West African countries & Mozambique, Uganda, Honduras Services: Infrastructure and technical assistance for data management & information dissemination  no data collection Online data base  Data providers/ MIS upload and manage own data via internet Information Dissemination via web site and mobile phones/ sms Fees: initial charge of US$ 2,000, annual license fee of US$ 5,000,

Cassava processing and marketing Manobi- purely private MIservices Private multi-media service provider based in Dakar/ Senegal Operates MIS in Senegal (since 2003) and South Africa (since 2006) Whole range of MI services: data collection, database management analysis, dissemination  no collaboration with public MIS Services Web based information platform –Information is accessible through account Services via mobile phones –Online accounts via mobile phone through WAP technology –Bookkeeper software in mobile phones  automatic M&E of beneficiaries’ economies  emphasis on individual phones –Information adapted to illiteracy: cartoon-style icons & voice system Beneficiaries consulted by business agents Promotion and organization of collective sales

Cassava processing and marketing The Manobi-Concept Mobile Phone Operator Data Provider & Mobile Operator Contract Data Collectors Prof. Organizations „ Business Promoter“ Villages Markets Traders Manobi supervision

Cassava processing and marketing GSM-based trade-communication network in Burkina Faso Initiated by the association “COMITE INTERPROFESSIONELDES CEREALES DU BURKINA” (CIC-B) in 2005: GSM-based trade-communication network: Direct communication among currently 250 members, producers & traders, linked via mobile phone network: –Access for a monthly flat rate of 5 EU  members can call each other free of charge –Members directory (updated and distributed monthly) Organization of collective sales and related logistics (storage, transport)

Cassava processing and marketing Strenghts Substantial regional Network already in place - Experience throughout the region – Resimao and TradeNet Strengthening of organizational capacity – Mistowa concept emphasizes integration of Organizations Software - Manobi Software with useful features to overcome illiteracy-related constraints Sustainability: The system in Burkina Faso is simple and cost- effective Assessment of comparative Strengths, weaknesses & risks

Cassava processing and marketing Weaknesses & risks Risk of smallholders marginalisation in Burkina-System: –Without price reference of an independent MIS for less informed –Risk of price agreements/ alliances among strong actors Resimao/ Tradenet: typical problems of public MIS: deficiencies in service quality and stability Reach of the poor and secluded areas: Manobi system doesn’t include radio dissemination: services limited to mobile phone network. Coverage in many WCA countries still low. Comparative Strengths, weaknesses & risks

Cassava processing and marketing GSM coverage – still a limiting factor MTN in Nigeria TELECEL in Benin

Cassava processing and marketing key challenges How to reach sustainability of MI services ?: –The dependency on public resources leads often to dysfunctions –Potential cost recovery through service charges limited because beneficiaries have little resources to pay for the services !  How to provide needs-oriented quality services with minimum costs ? How to customize services to immediate needs ?  How can MIS be efficiently organized ? Can public services be efficient ? Can private services be profitable ? Can PPP’s provide a solution ? How to reach the beneficiaries ?: –How can the poorest with little surplus benefit from MI services? Do they need support for collective sales? –How to integrate the remote areas outside GSM networks ? Can rural radios be used to enable not only 1way information but trade communication?

Cassava processing and marketing Merci ! Thank you !